When did you first realise that COVID-19 was going to have an effect on Miles and The Chain Gang?
When the first gig of 2020 was cancelled. It was due to happen in March, around the 25th I think. I went away to Fuerte Ventura for a few days and while I was there, all hell broke loose. The Spanish Police told me to go back to my hotel when I was on a hire bike. I got back to the UK and the gig was cancelled. It’s been a terrible year for live music – I think 2021 will be better.
Initially, what was that whole situation like, and how did your band overcome/react to it?
It was – and still is – very frustrating. We have been as proactive as possible. We have put out two videos in 2020, one in February and one in November, and in between we have got together (a few times) to record and rehearse, so we have tried hard to be proactive, but we have all missed playing gigs a lot. Alan, Tim, Billy – all of us have found it frustrating. The November video is for a song called ‘Drag Me To The Light’ and it has had 13,000 views since we launched it. We’ve also had a bit of radio play, which is brilliant. The song was about the whole lockdown thing, in the spring, and about the need to connect with others.
How has your creative process changed as a band over the last couple of months?
It’s the same as it was, really. We play together, work on songs, share ideas, and record when we can. It’s just a lot slower than we would like.
What’s been the hardest part about writing/doing music this way?
It’s just laborious. We weren’t sure if we could meet to rehearse or not, then we decided we could, so we did for a few weeks. I really prefer to get everybody in the same place to work on things, I don’t really like it when we work on something remotely or when somebody is missing.
What bands/artists have you been listening to over the last couple of months whilst in Lockdown?
The usual stuff – new wave, singer-songwriters, Randy Newman, Leonard Cohen, that sort of thing. I need to listen to more jazz!
So, what do you think you’ve learnt the most from being a band through COVID-19?
Despite everything, we have made progress this year through using video to present ourselves to the public. I would say the crucial lesson is: be proactive.
What kind of effect do you think that it’s had on the music industry all together, and how excited are you to see it return to normal?
Somebody said it will impact the live industry for ten years. I really hope that is not true, but I think it will be a few years before we see ‘normal’. I cannot wait to go to gigs again, as a punter and as a performer. I love live music in all its forms, it’s wonderful.
What tips/advice would you like to give to other bands who are also going through this?
Be patient, and be proactive. Even though you can’t play gigs, there are still ways of being creative. The guitar in the corner won’t play itself…there are always things you can do to learn and to grow. Read. Write. Exercise. Talk to people. It’s all about being proactive.
Cheers guys! Thanks! Miles
Miles and The Chain Gang – ‘Drag Me To The Light’ is out now
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp3G7GtBwTQ
www.facebook.com/milesandthechaingang