JAMES STRECKER: In what specific ways has COVID-19 changed your creative/artistic life in the arts?
JOHN MACMURCHY: The creative input from colleagues has evaporated because of social distancing. My income has vanished because there is no work.
JS: How creative are you feeling with COVID-19 on your mind?
JM: The constant low-grade stress from isolation and loss of income is sapping my emotional energy and I find it difficult to motivate myself. I have ideas galore, but I’m not in my own house and everything is in limbo which results in a state of immobility.
JS: In what specific ways has COVID-19 changed your personal life?
JM: Like most musicians, my professional life is the major part of my personal life; I miss my friends desperately.
JS: What are your primary worries, at this time, about the present situation in the arts because of COVID-19?
JM: I worry that so many fine musicians will be lost to economics or depression.
JS: What are your primary worries about the future situation in the arts because of COVID-19?
JM: I’m concerned that the streaming services which have already decimated our income stream will be further strengthened by people’s current dependence upon it.
JS: What are you yourself doing to get through this time of crisis?
JM: I’m concentrating on dealing with other personal matters that need my attention.
JS: What are other creative/artistic people you know doing to get through this time of crisis?
JM: Some are practicing like crazy and some are creating videos for social media that are keeping us alive. I don’t have the technology for that.
JS: What are the saddest stories you’ve heard about creative/artistic people during this time of COVID-19?
JM: The American doctor who killed herself was also an amateur musician. Also, the death of John Prine was particularly poignant because it was something he might have written about.
JS: What are the most encouraging or inspiring stories you’ve heard about creative/artistic people during this time of COVID-19?
JM: The daily upbeat videos from artists of all ages and genres.
JS: How can we support people in the arts during this difficult time?
JM: Increase the CERB to $3K/month and make it a permanent basic income.
JS: Finally, what specifically can we do to support your life and work in the arts?
JM: Make my ex-wife honour our separation agreement.