Artist of the Day | DUKE & THE PEACEMAKERS
ARTIST OF THE DAY
21.12.2020
DUKE & THE PEACEMAKERS
LOCATION
Edmonton, AB
GENRE
Country, Jazz, Blues, Swing, Funk
CURRENT MEMBERS
Cole Murphy-Hopp
Jacob Whittle
Matt Koopman
Kyeler Tymafichuck
Pat Aucoin
Jacob Brassington
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?
We were all working and going about our perspective lives as we started watching our shows in the near future all start to get canceled. We’re all lucky that we work in essential sectors so we could keep earning a paycheque, but we took a big hit when we weren’t allowed to be practicing together anymore.
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
The biggest hit to our plans would have been the cancellation of festival season entirely. We had several dates set throughout the summer on the road. Some of which just bumped the line up to 2021, but even that is looking uncertain at the moment.
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?
The lot of us have still been going to work and earning a paycheque through this minus the occasional isolation period due to whatever situations. Time at home has been filled with writing, and practicing right along side with mix/mastering happening on stems we had recorded right before this whole thing kicked off.
Most of us work in more projects on top of this one which have also been trying to record as much as possible while that’s been appearing our most productive route possible under the circumstances.
Oh! And lots of phone calls/FaceTimes etc! It’s been awful tough to stay in touch with all the folks we used to see on a regular basis, but we still remember what we all look like and the sound of each other’s voices.
How are dealing with the Covid second wave?
About as well as can be expected I’d imagine. Taking the chance to buckle down and work for a bit while we are to be collectively keeping to ourselves.
Favourite Starlite Room Moment?
Definitely would have to be getting the opportunity to open for Cat Clyde and Jeremie Albino at the temple. Seen too many good shows there to count.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
Keep your chin up the best ya can. It’s tough times all over, but we will get through this, it’s just gonna take some time. In the meantime, call someone you haven’t talked to in a while, might do both of ya a world of good.
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