Its been day 13 of social isolation here in New Orleans. The streets are empty, the bars are boarded up and the southern charm still lives on in the community that has come together to help each other in these testing times. As you may have heard, the musicians here in New Orleans have been affected with having all of their future shows cancelled due to the mandatory lockdown. April is one of the busier times here for all service industry workers and musicians, with festivals such as French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest. It is the time where we all make bank and put it aside to last the summer months here as it is a lot slower and the foot traffic we get is minimal and dire, so money doesn’t flow as much. For my supporters back in Australia, musicians here earn money in tips, its very rare we get a guarentee and if we do, its not that much. So we really rely on tips, and if there isn’t anyone here to tip then we go hungry. I am not sure how long it will take New Orleans to bounce back after this, Louisiana has had the highest cases reported and they say its from all the visitors over Mardi Gras. It is surreal to see the difference a month can make, last month we were all dancing in the street, hugging, singing, having strangers become friends and being immersed in the frivolity of what makes New Orleans one of the magical cities. This month, you drive down Frenchmen Street and all the hot spots are boarded up because of the uncertainty of when they can open again. I think what makes it a hard pill to swallow is that what makes New Orleans so magic is the people, the energy, the music, the grit and love. A city that is kept alive with the pockets of people coming to listen to music, drink the drinks, eat the food and live a good story, I miss walking in the quarter hearing the Southern way of saying hello “how you doing my baby” , while you can hear the Calliope playing from the Steam Boat Natchez on the Mississippi, walking down Royal Street hearing Doreen on the Clarinet, Stopping in at a bar to see one of your favourite bartenders and sharing stories from the weekend.
As a musician here in this city, I miss performing so much. It is my saviour. I love who I get to play with, I love the people who come to see me, I miss the bartenders who appreciate what we do (and vice versa), and most of all I just miss the contact of the people who make this city what it is, unique and special.
So to save my sanity I am going to be doing a live Facebook concert to also help generate some extra money in these times. Please head to my Facebook page Zoe K Music to see the details.
I love you all, stay inside, stay healthy and be good.
x Zoe K