Guest posting on Random Tidbits of Thought is a great way to get your thoughts, passions, and ideas out to the wider RTT community. In the past, folks have posted about their startups, fundraised for volunteer trips, shared comics, or sang songs. The possibilities are limitless. If you’re interested, guest post on Random Tidbits of Thought today!
My good friend Ki returns with his fourth guest post on my blog, this time sharing his experiences livestreaming DJ sets during the COVID-19 quarantine. Ki’s passion for electronic music runs deep – listen to his latest DJ mix here and enjoy while reading this post!
At times, the coronavirus outbreak seems like a movie script come to life. Italians not going to mass, US doctors running out of masks, the Iranian health minister getting sick on live TV, gangs in Rio de Janeiro enforcing the quarantine because the government refuses to do its job…these are not just scenarios in a script writer’s head – they are happening in real life. In times like these, it may be easy to lose hope, but different types of people cope with the reality in different ways.
Some use humor and irony as a tool, pointing out the ludicrousness of celebrities in their $25 million homes complaining about how difficult the quarantine is for them. Others have been doing their best to spread hope in a hopeless place. In Italy, for instance, spontaneous flash mobs have formed, with musicians performing on their balconies for their neighbors in quarantine. I must admit it makes me a bit teary eyed when watching YouTube clips of these balcony performances, as they are a reminder of what is possible when people come together.
People have been trying to contribute to society during these trying times, in their own way. For many of us, the mere act of complying with self-quarantine sets a positive example, and history will remember us for the small sacrifices we are all making to “flatten the curve.” History will also remember the immeasurable sacrifices that health workers, law enforcement, and emergency responders across the globe are making to protect us.
But after this is all over, what else will people remember? It may not seem like it right now, but there are those out there utilizing their talents in an attempt to cure our boredom. This is more important than meets the eye – as long as we don’t feel bored, it is harder to fall into a depressive spiral. For example, many DJs have been live streaming from their homes, as all of their tour dates have been cancelled. I had the honor of participating in one such stream from Dave Dresden, in which he played music continuously for 10.5 hours. Long story short, I had the experience of partying remotely with two thousand others from all around the world. You can bet that this is what I’ll be telling future generations when they ask me about Covid-19.
This inspired me. A few days before writing this, I live-streamed a set for the first time. This did not come easy, as I cannot afford expensive streaming equipment. Setting up even the most minimal requirements was a nightmare because I had no idea what I was doing. When I finally figured it out, I let a few friends know about the Twitch stream. Words cannot describe my elation when one by one they started to join the stream. This made me realize, given that I felt this happy when seven people showed up, how performers must feel when thousands of people flock to see their shows. As nervous as I was, it was a pleasant surprise that the stream turned out better than I expected – my internet connection somehow held it together, and I didn’t make any mistakes while mixing.
This brings me to my next point. It is obvious by now that major festivals such as Coachella are being cancelled or postponed. This is a huge bummer for a lot of people, as many of them live for the anticipation of getting to see their favorite artists around this time. I am sharing a mix I created, dedicated to those who had to cancel their plans during this outbreak. There are definite “Dirtybird” vibes in this one, so an ideal time to listen would be during a sunset – start out listening in your chair, but if I did my job correctly, you will be dancing in your living room and upsetting your downstairs neighbors in due time.
Click here to listen to Ki’s DJ mix!
As the world goes into lockdown, it is easy to focus on the inconveniences. Maybe we feel increasing resentment towards our significant other or roommates, as we are undoubtedly spending more time with them than normal. For those of us living alone, we may be lacking in emotional sustenance and spiraling deeper into anxiety and loneliness. But we are never really alone. There will always be someone out there willing to go the extra mile for us, and I believe that this outbreak is making us realize that truth, as tragic as the current situation may be.
One thing is for certain – when this is over, the entire world will be experts in online conferences and lectures. Another side effect, I hope, is that we will emerge as a society that looks after one another. And if you listen closely, there is someone on a balcony in Italy echoing these same sentiments.
