It has been just about a year since the COVID-19 pandemic made its way into the lives of Americans. Among the many missed ventures that we hope to see returning soon is live music. It’s hard to believe that it has been one year without anything major: music festivals, outdoor concerts, intimate acoustic performances – anything that resembles a shred of live music. When The Weeknd performed at the 55th Super Bowl halftime show in February, it felt bizarre to be watching a live music event.

While some big-name performers have begun to reschedule tour dates for 2022, others have sporadically released new music to keep a captive listener base. The same move doesn’t apply to independent music artists, however. Many of them are releasing music videos, singles, EPs, and even full albums in the time of quarantine.

That chilling line opens the newest single Hard Year from Broke Royals. Dropping on March 12, a year after the United States officially entered a shutdown, the song aims to make listeners ask themselves one question: what can we change in our lives to be happier?

A Hard Year for Independent Artists

Broke Royals hail from Washington D.C. and like many bands in the time of COVID, they have played live stream concerts and taken to social media. They have dropped two singles already with a third on the way, but recorded 15 other songs for Patreon exclusives and are reportedly close to wrapping up work on an album of 10 new songs.

Drummer Colin Cross explained to me that Broke Royals has three reasons for choosing to release new music now: “First is selfish – we just love making music and sharing it with others. It was therapeutic and cathartic for us to create during such odd and uncertain times. Which leads me straight into the second reason: music and all things creative are equally or more important right now because of how odd and uncertain the times are.”

“The third reason is that, with the world slowing down and live entertainment screeching to a halt, we were able to focus solely and writing music.  Never in our life as a band have we been able to focus so singularly on songwriting, we have always had to balance practices, touring, festivals, etc.  And through that, we started to create music with more clarity and focus and ever before.”

Same Pandemic, New Music

While they admit to missing pre-pandemic band life, Broke Royals has opted not to perform in-person right now: “COVID-19 is incredibly serious and has killed literally millions of people worldwide.  We are excited for live music to return when it is safe, but in the meantime, we will continue making music and sharing it in new and creative ways.”

That is the mentality of Theredspirit. The Los Angeles soloist, also known as Joseph B., had plans to release his first album Rebel Without French Fries on Halloween, pandemic or not. “It’s always been a dream and passion of mine to create songs and create a world in these songs.” He wrote to me that “(It) feels like my babies that have grown up and are treading this world now. They’re very close to the heart. Overall, I feel the album is about unrequited love. Songs such as Your Mind, Daydream Trippers, and Ever Since You Ditched Me really capture that.”

Theredspirit differs from some of the artists I have spoken to because he chose to release his first album during the pandemic, whereas some bands have had to adjust their entire release plans. However, he isn’t the only one making new creative strides: Milwaukee musician Mark J. Soriano produced an entire music video for his new single Been Better.

Staying Positive and Pushing Forward

A music video can be a career-defining move in a band’s career. For Soriano, he was ready to drop it because it resonated with many of the feelings that we have been experiencing during this pandemic.

In an online interview, Soriano elaborated on the release of his video and song: “Putting music out during the pandemic has been such a healthy way to stay productive and focus your energy on something that not only helped me but can also make others happy. More than anything, I just love making music and if anything, the pandemic made me hungry to focus my energy on it. This song was the result of all of that positive focus and I’m really proud of it. ”

He has played two outdoor shows during the pandemic and continues to remain positive about the ongoing circumstances. “I wanted to release this song because it is so optimistic. Now, more than ever, I felt that it was important to keep my head up and the song is all about that”.

Soriano also works as a drum instructor and session musician, which fuels his love for creativity. “I’ve had the opportunity to teach people of all ages and again, give them a space to express themselves. A lot of people wanted to record music or learn how to play, and I found an opportunity to dedicate all my time to helping them make that happen. So, I’m actually quite thankful I’ve had the time away from performing.”

Making Music in a Crisis

You would never know that Sam C. Jones’s music career has been affected by the pandemic at all: in a year, he has formed a new band, performed a handful of livestreams, and has an upcoming EP titled Overdue Confession arriving on March 26.

He even found time to write I Don’t Want to Be an American Anymore, a chillingly mellow protest song based on the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. For a singer who started his first band during a global crisis, it appears that Sam is handling his rise rather well.

“I’m incredibly proud of the arrangements on this release,” he noted. “My backing band – Dan Wolfe, Steve Arnold, Julian Berkowitz and Connor Holdridge (plus Justin Bendel on one song!) – really stepped up and brought everything to the table to make a true blue rock n’ roll record. We’re calling ourselves an Americana project, with elements of folk, country, and rockabilly. It’s pretty unique and that’s what makes it special.”

While he was used to traveling for theatre and had a tour planned, Jones canceled it for safety precautions. But like many on-the-brink artists, he has also found success through TikTok and a solid social media following. “People are honestly just so excited to hear music these days, so the energy has been positive.”

Independent Music Artists Finding New Ways to Succeed

In a time when certain states have loosened venue restrictions and others are strengthening them, each of these performers has had to contend with similar losses and missing the feel of a live show just one year later. And yet, not one of them blamed lockdown for anything. They all shared positive stories of live-stream shows, new music, writing inspirations, and how they planned to tour when it was safe.

Innovation during this time was something that fascinated me when I spoke to each artist: Jones took to TikTok, and Broke Royals were releasing a new song every week at one point. Theredspirit continues to write, and Soriano credits the lockdown for jumpstarting his motivation. “All I did was practice and write because I didn’t want to get lazy or drink too much,” he noted. Their passions for performance and music carried them through live shows, and now is helping them thrive in a world without live music.

“What a joy it would be to be someone’s new song or new favorite artist,” Joseph B. had ended his note to me. “You know even if it’s one person. Like that’s enough. It’s like I’ve made it out there.”

Who are some of your favorite independent music artists you’ve followed through the pandemic? Let us know in the comments!