The coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) pandemic has been hard on musicians, especially touring ones who make a living playing live shows around the globe and who often thrive off meeting new people.
For Island singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan, the pandemic brought struggles with anxiety and depression as she has been stuck at home, unable to do her job or make a living.
“It has been kind of traumatic for artists, you know? Like, who are we if we’re not out there performing on a stage?”
A new pilot project, Global Music Match, is already helping MacLellan — along with Island musicians Vishtèn and Irish Mythen — connect with new audiences and fellow artists around the world through social media and the hashtag #globalmusicmatch.
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA), in partnership with Sounds Australia, Showcase Scotland Expo and 11 other export organizations, has launched the six-week program from Aug. 31 to Oct. 11.
Seeing the teams connect in the lead up has been great, said Shelley Nordstrom, export manager for ECMA.
“What we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks even, is they’re starting to develop little families and the ideas that are coming forward from the artists and what they want to do on their social media platforms is quite inspiring.”
The project came out of a Zoom call Nordstrom had with a founder of Showcase Scotland, she said.
“I just said, ‘we should figure out a way (in) which we can help artists export virtually and internationally.’”
There are 16 teams of six musicians, with at least one coach, and the goal to introduce one another to their respective audiences. Each week, one member from each team is highlighted.
At a glance:
- Spread across 16 teams, 96 musicians from 14 countries are participating in Global Music Match to share their own music around the world and bring the music of the world to their own audiences.
- Three Island musicians are participating.
- Catherine MacLellan is on team six, featuring Collin Lillie (Australia), Crys Matthews (U.S.), Johanna Juhola (Finland), Mascarimiri (Italy) and Captain of the Lost Waves (England).
- Irish Mythen is on team 10, featuring Saije (Australia), Daisy Chute (England), Ryan Young (Scotland), Gina Chavez (U.S.) and Startijenn (Brittany).
- Vishtèn is on team 12, featuring OUTLET DRIFT / 漂流出口 (Taiwan), the Magpies (England), OOPUS (Estonia), Zäpämmät (Finland) and Hussy Hicks (Australia).
In the weeks leading up to the project, teams met online to figure out their respective strategies.
The ability to interact with others was the main reason MacLellan chose to participate, she said.
“I think that’s one of the things musicians are missing the most right now – is the ability to go to different places and meet new people and see old friends. Half the job often is the connections with other people.”
Vishtèn member Emmanuelle LeBlanc agreed, adding that the band has been sorely missing touring.
“I think a big reason that we love (touring) is because we meet other musicians and maybe we get a chance to collaborate or see another musician play … COVID has just stopped all of that connection.”
The lack of touring can also have some longer lasting impacts, said Mythen via email.
“The work you do in one single year can have an effect on your trajectory for five years to come, so I’ve been hugely affected. Money, yes of course, but it’s the career that’s more affected.”
As such, they’re all excited to share and be shared online in the coming weeks.
To see what the Island artists and their teammates have been doing, check out the Global Music Match website.
