Artist of the Day | AUDREY OCHOA
ARTIST OF THE DAY
13.09.2020
AUDREY OCHOA
LOCATION
Edmonton, AB
GENRE
ANSWER
CURRENT MEMBERS
Audrey Ochoa
Mike Lent
Sandro Dominelli
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 in Edmonton playing at a local casino, little did i know that that would be my final gig for a long time.
How has that affected your plans for the coming months? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
I had just released a new album and was about a week away from presenting that album live at the Citadel with my dream band. I’d also had a small west coast tour with my trio, playing Victoria, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon. I was also a month away from getting to perform at *the* European Jazz Showcase, JazzAhead, in Bremen, Germany. Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home?
I’d been keeping such a busy schedule for years before the lockdown, that when I had all this free time, I didn’t know what to do with myself. So i mostly watched TV and fretted about the future. Eventually, I started to occupy myself with live streams, at home recording and some songwriting. Luckily by May/June, outdoor gigs really started to take off in Edmonton.
What was the first thing you did/place you went to now the country is starting to slowly re-open?
The first place I went was Bistro Praha, alone for some steak tartare.
Favourite Starlite Room Moment?
There are SO many Starlite Room, moments, from Cat Empire to K-Os. BUT I had the time of my life the first time i was asked to play with Edmonton band, Maracujah. The show was sold out, everyone who was there came to dance and party and i almost broke my ankle jumping up and down trying to keep up with the guys in heels.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
Live musicians can’t play for audiences if the venues don’t exist…
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