I know I’m not the only one as it is a global pandemic but I know that the COVID era that hit musicians and entertainers cannot be the same that hit say, lemon farmers. What a tough time for musicians! I am speaking for musicians because it’s their language I understand best.
When we received the news about the pandemic, like anyone else, we thought it was going to last a few months. Things would be normal by May (2020). What a joke! God must have been looking down on us and grinning. A year and a few months later, here we are, still waiting for COVID to ‘go away’.
My heart constantly goes out to the live performing musicians. What a year it has been! Back in the day, bookings would come in, left, right and centre, and life was starting to pick up. We had plans, financial plans; we were going to finally be financially independent. We entertained thoughts of buying a few plots of land, a car to get by after gigs, even travel to the Maldives. Needless to say, we had plans.
I was privileged to sign a contract with one of Kigali’s admired hotels that I even offered my thanksgiving in church only for the second lockdown to kick in after strictly six performances. Some of my performances were also halted by the fact that I contracted COVID-19 during the busiest season of the year—Christmas time—and suffered financially. Sometimes I think God has a dark sense of humour. Each time I remember setting up my saxophone ready to perform on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (sweet gigs, I know), only for the hospital to retain me because I tested COVID positive, I shudder. Shortly after that, we suffered a second lockdown, which put a stop to all performances till today. My dear contract lies in a file somewhere, I probably need to revisit it to check out some clauses.
Even before the pandemic, musicians were under-valued and in my opinion, severely underpaid but the pandemic added salt to the wound. A lot of clients say that they don’t pay much because musicians claim to love what they do so much that they would do it for free. I find this statement extremely toxic.
Musicians are creatives and it is against human nature to create when one isn’t ‘in the zone’. Being in the zone calls for comfort, but tell me how a musician is going to get creative on an empty stomach because the money they got paid was used to hop on a moto back home, and perhaps pay part of the house rent. They would want to be creative, but how can they be when all their energy is being used to survive? It is awfully unfair to assume that musicians don’t have needs, bills and taxes to pay so instead of paying them well like regular suppliers, they are compensated in ‘food and exposure’. It breaks my heart, and just maybe, one day, the time they put into their craft will finally be recognised and valued.
Recently, a potential client called me and after I stated my (COVID) price, they went ahead to lecture me on how I am overly priced (nta soni?). The client even went ahead and advised me on the amount of money I should be charging. This self-appointed manager of mine was a complete stranger, by the way. This is when I realised that COVID has not only humbled us, but it has stolen our shine, dignity and for some, perhaps, self-esteem.
Would you imagine the kind of mental strength it took for someone who was used to performing at least thrice a week, to now have to spend more than a year within the house? It has been tough. If you know an artiste in your circle, reach out once in a while. Take them on a random dinner date, because it has been tough for them.
I don’t know when events and live performances will reopen, as for someone whose week was wrapped around following live performances around town and finally performing once a week, my social life just died naturally. Sadly, life moved on. Live music was previously an important component of brunch, evening chill outs, and many other festivities. Today, you will go to brunch, even on a rainy day and it will be full to the right capacity with no music in ‘sight’.
Our hearts are broken and I think when all is normal again and we can afford it, we shall all need therapy because you can’t exactly ‘work from home’ as a live performer.
The writer is Rwanda’s first female saxophonist.
stellatush@gmail.com