Rock Monsters Romania

The quarantine was a really hard period for bands and artist. We talked to some bands from all over the world to see the real effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in music.

Today we talk to Red Water, a Rock ‘n’ Roll band from Sao Paolo, Brazil.

How can you describe the changes generated by the pandemic in the band’s activity?

Well, it has changed everything. I mean, for a rock n’ roll band being onstage is a big part of it, and without that, we lose this major portion of it. So it’s deeply negative and it’s been an unwelcome surprise, for sure.

What daily activity did you miss the most during quarantine?

All normal activities. We’re no longer able to exercise, really.

Were there any pluses for this period without concerts?

Yea. We could focus on writing in a way that we were never really able to do before, you know, with the concerts, we would be having to…yea you know, with the concerts we wouldn’t have the time we’re having right now, just knowing we’re not gonna have any concerts in the coming months so we could just sit down and write, write and write and explore different ways of creating and it’s been really good for the band in many ways. So yea, it’s good that we found a way, even though it’s kinda logical, but it’s very positive that we could see something productive happening in such slow times.

How does it feel to hear the idea of returning to some normalcy?

Well, “some” normalcy makes us terrified, I guess… Because as people who work in live entertainment, I guess we never picture a tomorrow with restrictions cause that would be just… that would be something that would choke our expectations, you know…affirming, and positioning yourself aware to say that things are never gonna be the same again in the future, that is immensely sad. So saying “some” normalcy is kinda terrifying, cause I believe every artist is hoping, in some level, that things will go back to “full normalcy”.

What plans have you got for 2021?

Well, in this situation which is unprecedented, for the first time in our career we are dealing with a month at a time. Cause it’s not even good, it’s not even smart, to affirm things for three or four months from now, you know… so we’re just working to keep our fans entertained and engaged, sharing bits of music online… and we’re writing a bunch of new songs.We’re taking this time to do something we wouldn’t do otherwise, so writing songs, keeping in touch with our fans through the internet in the ways we can, and uh… yea you know, maybe who knows we come to record and release something this year.For us, going back into playing concerts after almost a year is something that we’re counting on… But yea, this year in specific, for the first time, we’re planning only a couple months at a time, cause you know, we don’t find it to be functional to keep planning ahead in a situation such as this.

Do you have any message for the bands or artists who are still in lockdown/quarantine?

Yea, maybe… I believe they know what to do, but if they’d need a message from me, I suppose it would be, “find a way to keep this thing alive”, even if you’re not in music, you have to find ways. Don’t let anything suck out the value of this thing you have to share, cause it’s easy for people to lower their bars, and it’s really sad to see people bending down into lower standards because of a crisis, which could be normal in certain cases, but I think for art we can’t let that sad aspect just suck us out, so yea, I suggest you find healthy ways to keep it alive and I advise you not to let the circumstances dry out the value of the things you have to share… keep it working.

What message do you have for the people who are going to read this interview?

Yea… first of all, go check out the band. The purpose is very clear, it doesn’t take a lot to see what we’re about. Thank you very much for this, for reaching out. And yea, regarding this crazy situation, I just hope people can understand what’s really important and don’t lose themselves… I’ve seen plenty of people losing themselves in these past few months and that’s really sorrowful… And you know, tact out what’s important and stick with it… you gotta have faith… That’s what it’s about, protecting what’s meaningful.

Interview by Radu Mihai