Artist of the Day | DONITA LARGE
ARTIST OF THE DAY
27.09.2021
DONITA LARGE
LOCATION
Edmonton, AB, Canada
GENRE
Indigenous Blues
CURRENT MEMBERS
Donita Large
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
I was doing a lot of jamming with other ladies, it was time of gathering, support, creativity and fun. Then suddenly I was at home and without gathering I stopped singing and playing the instruments that I was learning for a bit. It was like hibernating at home.
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
In May of when the pandemic started, I had been booked to do a cabaret show. It was a show that was on my bucket list to do. At the time I had been singing my new song “Going to Walk That Line” but hadn’t planned any recording of it yet. I remember when the date of that show passed it was a real downer. But in life when I’m faced with hardship or adversity, I like to ask myself what can I learn from this? Over the year, I decided to learn more about how I could use technology to advance my own music. It opened doors I wouldn’t even have taken the time to peek through before. I reached out to people to begin the process of figuring out how to record during the pandemic.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?
When I’m not working at my job, being a mom and wife, I started learning new songs off of YouTube, recording using apps, writing free flow my thoughts and feelings, connecting with friends and family online. I even called people! Pandemic fatigue was real and some days I may have binge watched shows and ate too many snacks 😂. Friends and family are my circle of strength. I do many things to keep myself grounded ~ my spiritual practises, laughing, crying, singing, camping, counselling if I feel low. Wellness for me requires ongoing personal holistic reflection. It’s good to be aware when you are feeling depleted or imbalanced. It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at times for sure.
As things are reopening & restrictions are lifting have you booked any new gigs? Tours? Etc? If your region is still under restriction, how are dealing with the Covid third wave?
I have 2 shows at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival booked on Aug 13 & !8. I’m stoked to be doing a blues & rock show with a full band. The venue is taking precautions like limited seating, masks indoors, all entrance is ticketed with limited hours and so on. Details can be found under their “Fringe Safe Together” page on their website. The Kaleido Festival will also be happening in Edmonton in September and my show date will be announced soon.
Favourite Starlite Room Moment?
A girlfriend had her Bachelorette party there, and it was slammed. Hot, sweaty and dancing the night away.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
An Elder once told me that if you got one foot in yesterday - living in the past and one foot in tomorrow - worrying about what’s to come, then you are pissin all over today! So enjoy this moment and if you got dreams, what are you waiting for?
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