Celeb Musicians Doing Good Things During Quarantine
It’s nice to see celebs doing good works during this incredibly difficult time in our global history. There’s nothing better than seeing someone who you dig as a musician who also happens to be a decent human being paying it forward. Here are some good people doing good things who also happen to be celebs.
Post Malone- The rapper's Shaboink brand has partnered with Direct Relief to donate 40,000 N95 masks to help keep front-line workers safer during the global crisis.
Miley Cyrus has created a daily talk show on her Instagram called, “Bright Minded” which focuses on positive ways to cope with quarantine. She speaks with mental health experts, fellow musicians, and those on the front lines. She’s spotlighting a lot of great causes with the intent of “staying positive and engaged”.
Watsky The rapper and poet raised over $140,000 for Sweet Relief's COVID-19 Fund, which provides financial assistance for musicians and industry workers affected by the pandemic. Watsky is raising money by performing non-stop, rapping over 33 hours, which earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest continuous rap. Glad he’s doing it and not us.
Ariana Grande has a slew of organizations that she has been supporting during the crisis, including Fund For Families, The Bail Project, The Mental Health Fund, and more.
Billy Ray Cyrus, another Cyrus doing good, has created with Native American communities, donating 20,000 masks to use for their protection against the virus. The announcement came during the Native Americans & Coronavirus Virtual Town Hall.
Madonna has teamed up with REFORM Alliance to donate 100,000 masks to jails and prisons with the hope of curbing the spread of the coronavirus behind bars. REFORM has donated 100,000 masks to those at Rikers Island in NYC.
Willie Nelson-He’s no stranger to helping those in need. He’s been successfully raising money for others for thirty plus years. His virtual Farm Aid concert on April 11 raised more than $500,000 for family farmers and ranchers who have been impacted during the crisis. "The coronavirus has disrupted our entire country and is a grave threat to all of us. One of its many impacts is that it has helped us to better see the value of essential people like healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, delivery truck drivers, and farmers and ranchers," Nelson said in a statement.
Things To Do On The Fourth Of July During Quarantine
Ok, it's the beginning of July and we are still under lockdown for good reason. So what does that mean for the best holiday of the summer? Well, more of the same as far as quarantine is concerned. But that doesn't mean you still can't take the day to celebrate some special things.
- How about instead of a large BBQ- try making something unique for you or the people you are in isolation with.
- Maybe take the day to watch a historical program on Harriet Tubman, or Lincoln.
- Or perhaps make a gratitude list for everything you're grateful for on this day of privilege.
- Lastly, make a donation, big or small to a non-profit doing good works in the world.
- And if you want to throw a hot dog into the mix somewhere, that's not such a terrible idea either.
In a time when everything is upside down, re-thinking a holiday about freedom never seemed more appropriate. Pass on some good juju and bring new traditions to this Fourth of July.
Rock/Metal Documentaries, Movies + Shows to Binge While In Quarantine
- Gone Too Soon (Netflix) the so-called “27 Club” an exclusive group of famous musicians who died at 27, explores the untimely passing of six musicians, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Kurt Kobain, and Amy Winehouse.
- Alice Cooper-Good To See You Again (Amazon Prime)- one of the most electrifying stage shows in rock history, was one put on by Alice Cooper. They had a shocking reputation that garnered them millions of fans who loved to watch their unique brand of theatrical rock.
- Death By Metal (Amazon Prime) this doc celebrates the life and legacy of the godfather of death metal, Chuck Schuldiner.
- Devil At The Crossroads: A Robert Johnson Story (Netflix)- not a lot is known about the blues legend, Robert Johnson who died at the age of 27 in 1938. But this Mississippi native had a lasting and profound effect on music and is considered one of the fathers of rock and roll. This documentary peels back all the layers to find out all there was to know about this legendary musician.
- Hired Gun (Amazon Prime)- Session musicians never get the proper acknowledgment or even the residual payment of their essential musical contribution to a recording. But this story is about Jason Hook who went from side-man to front-man of his own band, Five Finger Death Punch, and what happened along the way.
Benefits Of Learning To Play An Instrument During Quarantine
So, it's been well over 3 months of quarantine for most of us, and the world is starting to look a little grey around the edges. You've binged watched every episode of Star Trek, The New Girl, and Grey's Anatomy, and it's starting to feel like you're having legitimate conversations with your toaster. So maybe it's time to start expanding your mental stimuli. There is a myriad of options out there as far as indoor hobbies, as we've all seen the successful and not-so-successful attempts to build birdhouses out of toothpicks and peanut butter, sew home-made masks out of unmatched socks, and bake an "I'm-sorry-I-used-your-socks-for-a-face-mask" cake for your housemate.
But consider maybe now's the time you finally hunker down and learn to play that instrument you've always wanted. And if you don't already own it, monthly rentals for most instruments are the equivalent of a few cups of Starbuck's Mocha Latte Frappuccinos.
Studies have shown the benefits of not only learning a new skill helping with increasing brain function and staving off dementia but also, playing a musical instrument can be a rock-solid form of self-soothing when you feel like you just can't keep your marbles together for one more minute. Focusing on learning a new skill requires concentration, dedication, and consistency. All of these are things that might be in shorter supply these days.
And while it may be frustrating in the beginning, learning that instrument will give you a new sense of purpose and accomplishment, which is something that we all could use a little more of right now.
Tips On Starting A Podcast During Quarantine
In an age where we are suffering from both anxiety and ADD, the podcast is a beacon of calm amidst the selfie pandemonium. So if you’re looking to start up your own podcast during quarantine, here are a few tips to help you find your way to that beacon.
- Podcasts are a genuine way to connect with an audience. Instead of the short-lived and fractured connection you may or may not make through Facebook, Twitter, IG, or Tik Tok, listen to or creating a podcast allows for engagement with an audience in a long-form content. People can listen while exercising, driving, cleaning the house, or knitting next year’s scarf for their brother.
- There’s a lot of unexplored space in the podcast world. There are 23 million YouTube channels, 600 million blogs, but only 800,000 podcasts on Apple Podcasts. That’s a pretty substantial differential. So there’s still room for you to make your mark, and have fun doing it.
- Develop a podcast concept that you are passionate about. When you figure out your “what” and “why” you will then have a strong foundation as to where to target your direction.
- Identify your goals. Why are you doing it? Is it for income, to share your ideas with the world, or to simply have fun? Knowing why is helpful in keeping you on track with meeting your deadlines, goals, and helping to shape your creative concept.
- Choose your format. Do you like to improvise? Then you’ll do well to have a co-host to bounce all those brilliant jokes off of. Do you like the idea of drama or intrigue? Then maybe a scripted show is more your direction. Or maybe you love learning from others, and if so, then the interview format might be your perfect match.
- Determine the length beforehand. Whatever your length is, whether it’s tasty 10-minute segments or more extensive 45-minute long interviews, determine your length and stick to that format.
- Consistency is key! It’s best to get a handful of shows in the can before going to broadcast because you’re going to want to keep to a consistent schedule. If weekly seems daunting, then go to a bi-monthly format. Whatever your schedule is, stick with it and watch as your listenership grows over time.
- Don’t be afraid to edit out the boring stuff. Listen back to the recording and make note of the parts that aren’t completely engaging. If it loses your attention, then it will most likely lose your listener's attention too.
- Have Fun! Even if you are creating a podcast to rake in the big bucks, remember to have fun doing it. There’s a lot of hours that will be put into your new endeavor, and if you’re having fun doing it, you’re a lot less likely to peter out when you’re in the doldrums.
Astronaut Tips To Make Living In Quarantine Livable
Being prepared for isolation is a giant part of an astronaut’s training. They’ve got to deal with living in confined spaces, with the same few people for weeks or months on end, and also have to eat canned tuna even when they really wish they could cram their faces full of pizza. They have to not only be rocket scientists and physicists but also know how to cope with stress and not getting to go outside to run around in the summer sprinklers. So here are a few tips from those who have not only survived living in isolation but have also done it in zero gravity while researching intergalactic wonders.
Keep A Positive Attitude
Astronauts have to not only live in extreme places but also have to maintain a good attitude no matter what the circumstances. Working together with those you are in isolation with is key to efficient problem-solving. So while you may not have to figure out which wires will reconfigure your warp drive, you can remember to keep your chin up when your sweetie eats the last of the ice cream. Remember your attitude helps determine how you interpret a situation, so having a good one is half the battle.
Communication and Routines Are Essential
Remember pre-virus days when you were just so, “crazy busy” and you couldn’t find time to brush your hair, let alone have time to self reflect. Whereas now you’ve got so much time with yourself or your family, you might be going a little bonkers. Two things that are key to help manage that are creating very clear communication among those living in the house and keeping a solid schedule. When you have needs make sure you have the person you’re talking to even repeat your requests so that there is no confusion. This will also allow you to talk through any points of contention that may come up. And keep a schedule even if you’re not currently working. If that means scheduling when you eat breakfast, exercise, speak with friends, clean out your closets, or watch an episode of Star Trek. Schedule it. Tracking even small accomplishments throughout your day helps to give you a sense of purpose, balance, and connection to your surroundings.
Stay Connected To Others
Make those phone calls. Send ridiculous memes to friends. Use video conferencing in all its illustrious forms. Or, here’s a novel idea, You can keep your conversations short, but make sure to keep reaching out to people. You may be lonely, but it’s guaranteed that some of your pals are feeling the same thing. So finding ways to connect even with social distance walks, will help you to feel less isolated.
So use these tips and take it one day at a time. And always remember, we are in this together.
When Will Music Festivals Return?
When oh when will be smashed together in crowds to listen to music in the summer open air? Hard to say since the risks of covid are still a big concern. By most estimates, big concerts won’t happen again until the end of the year or early 2021. It’s hard to say exactly as the timeline keeps changing but according to live promotion company Live Nation, they will resume a “full blown” concert schedule by 2021. Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino has outlined the company's plans to resume concerts and tours. This includes, as he stated, "...drive-in concerts, which we’re going to test and roll out and we’re having some success with; or reduced-capacity festival concerts, which could be outdoors in a theater on a large stadium floor, where there’s enough room to be safe."
Surely other large venues and promoters will follow suit. Smaller clubs and venues may have a harder time adapting to the social distancing rules due to space. So only time will tell what will happen to the world of live music performance.
Until then, it looks like watching concerts either on your computer or the occasional neighborhood marching band is your best outlet for live music.