Artist of the Day | MATTHEW RYAN JACOBS
ARTIST OF THE DAY
15.02.2022
MATTHEW RYAN JACOBS
LOCATION
Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, Canada
GENRE
Folk/Americana
CURRENT MEMBERS
Matthew Ryan Jacobs
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 here in KW, I had just started putting this solo project together, writing and demoing. Since live music was put on hold, it gave me a little more time to get things recorded and released.
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
I released the first EP in May of 2021, and I'm now starting to trickle out some more singles. The pandemic hasn't really affected the recording process, but I would really like to be able to start playing these songs live. I've only had the chance to play two shows since the first release, since live music keeps getting shut down. It seems everytime I try to get things rolling, we go through another lockdown.
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?
I'm trying to make the best out of the situation, doing more writing, demoing, and practicing. It's been hard on everyone, so important to find ways to keep yourself busy, or at least your mind busy.
How are dealing with the Covid fifth wave? Have things locked down again in your region? Have you had to cancel gigs, tours, etc.? Are things reopening & restrictions are lifting in your region? Have you booked any new gigs, tours, etc.? What are your plans for 2022?
I'm in Ontario, and we are currently in another lockdown, or partial lockdown. Bars, restaurants, and live music/events are closed down again. I'm fortunate to have a day job that has kept me financially stable, I feel for the people who have consistently had their livelihoods disrupted for the last 2 years. I've had to cancel gigs, and have given up on booking anything for the near future; it's been too up and down here to know where we'll be in a few months. So my plans are to just keep writing and releasing singles for now.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
Hang in there I guess? And try to be nice to each other. A lot of people have been stretched in ways they never thought they would be. Little acts of kindness can go a long way.
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