JAMES STRECKER: In what specific ways has COVID-19 changed your creative life in the arts?
BIF NAKED: COVID-19 has impacted everyone I know, and has been particularly awful for all of us in the performing arts. It has removed our ability to make any appearances, and this is obviously disappointing. Performing is my greatest joy and the favourite part of my job, but of course, that’s what’s absolutely necessary to keep our country alive, really. Other than physical appearances, we are always writing and working on writing or recording at home, anyway, so that has been very much the same as ever.
JS: How creative are you feeling with COVID-19 on your mind?
BN: COVID -19 actually permeates our every deliberation, whether we think it does or not, and I find it has been making marbles of my brains. My poetry and ongoing lyric modifications (for our new record and other recordings we are doing) have a darker feel, and I think even my artwork (painting and other visual arts) are starting to feel sombre. I am generally an extremely optimistic and effusive person, so I am discovering these little dark emotions are creeping up, out of nowhere, and peppering my work. I think this Year will be a remarkable one in art history all over the world.
JS: In what specific ways has COVID-19 changed your personal life?
BN: COVID-19 has changed my personal life as far as my regular work week, and the habits of seeing my manager and his family a few times a week. He has been my manager since I was 22 years old and he and his family have been my family for so long, that it is very difficult not spending time with them. As far as my own, personal home life goes, my fella (Snake Allen, my guitar player) is a notoriously shy introvert, so we rarely venture out and always eat at home (rumour has it he married me for my cooking). Our day-to-day home lifestyle has not changed as we are always at home, staying in every night, when we are not on tour.
JS: What are your primary worries, at this time, about the present situation in the arts because of COVID-19?
BN: My primary worries for the arts in general, is really my feelings for, and worrying about, other artists. I am sure there are still many artists whom have never worked “normal” jobs in the workforce, have never been faced with any financial uncertainty before, and have no other training (or interests!) This is a very daunting fact! I do know a lot of writers who have only their writing income to support themselves, and painters who rely on galleries. But performing musicians, I feel will be particularly vulnerable as they generally are paid to physically be somewhere to perform. Whatever will we do if we are unable to actually be in a venue? I don’t know what will become of us all. :
JS: What are your primary worries about the future situation in the arts because of COVID-19?
BN: The future is unwritten, of course, and still unfolding. On one hand, technology will benefit the arts as people will have grown accustomed to trying a deeper “online” hustle (through being more active on their social medias, or pushing fans to purchase merchandise online). Many artists have already taken to ‘online performing” which is very lovely and certainly entertains their fans whilst everyone is staying at home, but it probably will not help any of the rest of us have much of a future, as it removes the independent artists’ ability to make a living doing this type of thing, moving forward. It is hard to know what to do. The future is terribly exciting on the other hand, if we do actually defeat the spread of this pandemic and slowly begin to reclaim life and work. People will feel elated to be healthy and hopefully, may feel like celebrating with their favourite artists who will hopefully resume touring and performing.
JS: What are you yourself doing to get through this time of crisis?
BN: During this time of crisis, I am in the middle of a few things that were already underway: I’m working on a book about cancer that has been my work for three years now. It is very specific in its content and message and I am writing it for newly diagnosed patients, their families, and caregivers. I am also working toward final mixing approvals for our CHAMPION record that is coming out end-of-summer/early-fall. I also have my first book of poetry (called Razorblade Chewing Gum) being finalized, and am working on my first audiobook. I always have something on the go.
JS: What are other creative people you know doing to get through this time of crisis?
BN: Many of my friends are doing online versions of their appearance work, or creating new ways to showcase what they are creatively working on. That is really remarkable and for many of my arts friends, this time of self-isolation has actually pushed them to learn more about all manner of online media and mediums. I also know a few friends who have had to create new content all the time, for themselves, and that may have been something that they were avoiding or didn’t want to do previously. I think times of crisis and adversity tend to push our limits, creatively, and push our buttons, emotionally (which forces us creative kids to, well, create more as a cathartic way of dealing with fears or stressors.) I have a feeling there will be a million records coming out next year that are called “Quarantine” or “Isolation” or whatever. I think the creativity has really started to flow for the world, not just for artists.
JS: What are the saddest stories you’ve heard about creative people during this time of COVID-19?
BN: I guess the saddest stories are still being told, and still coming out. Many artists are losing their only incomes: appearances. This is almost like the last nail in the coffin for many of us because we were already fighting to eat/pay rent/feed families in an era of “music streaming” and it was already kind of tricky. I know a lot of artists who will just hang up the towel, now. Not because they want to, or because they feel so defeated…but because they need to feed their kids or pay off their pro tools subscriptions or have rehearsal space rents. I mean, whatever will artists do? It’s sheer romance to envision the “starving artists” that live on baguettes and wine. In reality, it’s just not that glamourous at all.
JS: What are the most encouraging or inspiring stories you’ve heard about creative people during this time of COVID-19?
BN: The most inspiring stories are the ones that are still unfolding. The artists that are blossoming and experiencing a metamorphosis, through this. They are channelling their stress and fears into creating masterful works of art, in music, writing, and photography, in painting, graphic novels, cartoons, and film. Adversity and crisis have always been a catalyst for creating, and this era we are in will certainly prove no different. There are always people who never ever give up and fearlessly keep going, no matter what life hands them. We all need those people because they are our beacons of light, our glimmers of hope, and our heroes. We look up to people who inspire us to keep going, and I believe with all my heart that there are always more of these types of people than there are quitters.
JS: How can we support people in the arts during this difficult time?
BN: The easiest way to support artists is also the fastest: just buy their art. Just go online and buy their books, purchase their glicée prints, buy their stickers, vinyl records and tee shirts, support their social media campaigns and buy their music from their websites, or itunes, or wherever you buy it, not only from streaming. We can support artists by SUPPORTING ARTISTS. And, of course, once we are eventually able to, support them by attending their concerts, gallery shows, and book readings. GO SEE THEM.
JS: Finally, what specifically can we do to support your life and work in the arts?
BN: To support me, I would say GO ADOPT A SHELTER PET first and foremost. Or, There are three animal charities on my website: SAINTS Rescue (which rescues special needs and end-of-life animals) and Muffin’s Halo (which provides mobility aids to blind dogs) and Vintage Pet Rescue (which is a senior dog retirement home and hospice)
You can also support me by supporting your local palliative care volunteers and their organizations. I hope you will support Journey Home Hospice (Toronto’s only hospice supporting end-of-life or terminal patients who are homeless).
Lastly, you can support me by following my work, checking out my repertoire and memoir, and coming to a show! I was lucky enough to have performed at Aeolian Hall Performing arts Centre, this past March, with my “Songs and Stories tour” and it was a magical night made utterly perfect by typically beautiful London audience. I can’t wait to come back! My website is www.bifnaked.com
