Smithers singer-songwriter Mark Perry has released a single with a COVID-19 theme.
But not only is the content of song, titled 91ƵFlatten out the Curve,91Ƶ coronavirus-related, the entire production was a sign of the times.
Colin Maskell recorded Perry91Ƶs guitar and vocal tracks at Old Highway Studios in Smithers. Then they sent the tracks off to Jordy Walker at Stackwall Sound Productions in Whitehorse Yukon who laid down drums, bass and accordion and mastered the recording.
That91Ƶs when local dance instructor Monica Kapelar got involved and suggested a video.
91ƵShe91Ƶs funny, and she has all these friends in odd places, like former students of hers, even in Japan,91Ƶ Perry said.
Soon, videos were streaming in from all over the world. Perry said it was tricky to piece together, but his daughter Mip (aka Marie Perry) was up to the task.
91ƵShe91Ƶs a very creative person and she91Ƶs very musical so she kind of figured out how to edit on the ones (first beat) so it was kind of in time, most of it,91Ƶ he said.
The video was first released on Facebook April 6 and Perry was amazed by how it took off.
91ƵI91Ƶm not a Facebook person, but there91Ƶs views and there91Ƶs people reached and people are sharing like crazy, he said on the morning of April 8. 91ƵRight now, we91Ƶre over 40,000 people reached. In a lot of ways, it91Ƶs fairly insane, but there91Ƶs also views and shares.91Ƶ
Sandra Smith, from Plaid People Music, Perry91Ƶs booking agency, said in the first 48 hours the Facebook post had 20,000 views and 700 shares.
Subsequently, a release on Youtube on April 9 has garnered hundreds of views.
He said the inspiration came from Dr. Bonnie Henry91Ƶs daily press conferences.
91ƵThe phrase, flatten the curve or flatten out the curve, we91Ƶre hearing it all the time,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵIt91Ƶs always with us, so I just did it for some fun. It91Ƶs pretty light, but it91Ƶs a serious subject.91Ƶ
Also a serious subject is the livelihood of musicians. With music festivals being cancelled and music venues shut down everywhere, remotely-executed projects such as 91ƵFlatten out the Curve91Ƶ might be the only creative outlet for artists for the foreseeable future.
91ƵWe91Ƶve lost a few gigs,91Ƶ Perry said. 91ƵI91Ƶve got my fingers crossed, but I91Ƶm not optimistic. We have an Alberta fall tour lined up. They say they91Ƶre holding on to the hope, but I91Ƶm not going to be shocked or anything.91Ƶ
Although disappointed, Perry, a retired railroad worker is not concerned about himself so much as the artists who rely financially on touring.
91ƵThe people I91Ƶm worried about are the guys who are just counting on it,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵMusicians who do it for a living, there91Ƶs not a lot of money out there, I just hope that they survive.91Ƶ
It is unclear whether or how musicians will quality for federal and provincial wage subsidies and emergency response benefits, but legislation is evolving and that may be clarified this week when Parliament votes on the Emergency Wage Subsidy bill.
editor@interior-news.com
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