With the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic comes social distancing and self-quarantine. Many of us are isolated, out of work, and feeling fearful and panicked as our country slips further into economic collapse and we struggle to come to terms with the long-term implications of this catastrophic outbreak. Suddenly, the places and events that united us feel a million miles away. We miss our family, friends, and colleagues. We miss going out to eat or grabbing a drink. We miss the opportunity to catch our favorite bands and musicians. We’re less than a week into the crisis, but it’s already clear the world as we know it will be irrevocably altered, the local music scene included.
However, I came across something truly magical on Monday or as some might say, Day 1 of the Quarantine. I got invited to a Facebook group called Socially Distant Fest. As I am an avid festival goer myself, I figured this would be somthing fun and entertaining to check out. At the time, the group membership hovered around 500 people. Since then, it has blossomed into a thriving community with thousands of fans and musicians supporting each other in these challenging times. Atlanta’s own the Ain’t Sisters played a set that generated hundreds of views. In the coming days, other local artists are scheduled to perform, including Maggie Schneider, Butcher the Baker, Half Hot, and Collins Drive.
Jake Allen
Founded by White, GA resident and former Constellations member Jake Allen, Socially Distant Fest was created to help artists ease the burden of cancelled gigs and lost wages. With so many musicians moonlighting in the service industry, a cloud of fear and dread regarding the future has set in. To help counter this anxiety, Allen formed the group with the intention of hosting Sunday showcases for local artists to have somewhere to play and, hopefully, make a little money. This idea has since evolved into a global online festival with performances from across the United States and the world. Viewers are encouraged to donate to the non-profit foundation MusiCares and to tip performers via their Venmo or PayPal.
Earlier this week, I reached out to Allen to speak with him about the motivations behind Socially Distant Fest and what we can expect in the coming weeks.
Artists interested in performing at Socially Distant Fest can find more info here.
So tell me about yourself. Who are you?
Well, Jake Allen. Until yesterday, I was a manager of a Woodstock BBQ restaurant.
Which restaurant?
Queenie’s BBQ in Reformation Brewery.
When you say “was,” what do you mean?
We have closed our doors for the next 14 days or so. Our owner wants to do what he can to help control the spread of COVID-19.
So what gave you the idea to start Socially Distant Fest?
I played a song for some friends on Facebook live the other day. I have a lot of musical friends and we started talking about us just getting together virtually on Sunday and playing shows for each other.
So you do music as well?
I do. That’s actually the reason I ended up in the service industry: real flexible schedule for playing in bands. I met my wife 12 years ago. We both started playing in the Constellations on the same day. You’re from Atlanta, so maybe you’ve heard of them.
Yes, I have.
We ended up leaving the band six weeks before they signed to Virgin. We fell in love hard and moved to West Virginia and started our family.
And when did you move back to the Atlanta area?
About 6 years ago.
When did you officially launch Socially Distant Music Fest?
Monday, I think. Or maybe Sunday. The past couple of days have been a whirlwind.
Did you expect it to grow so rapidly? What are your thoughts on all of the daily live streams?
I did not expect that. At all. I thought maybe we would have a handful of people and we could sit back and just enjoy the show. It’s kind of morphed into something else.
Now that it is over 20,000 members, how does it feel to have started something that’s seen as a kind of saving grace to many musicians?
Has it been? I hope it has. I feel like it has the opportunity to help some folks that really need it. Most of the musicians that I know also work in the service industry. So they are double fucked right now.
I think it has. A band I know, the Ain’t Sisters, did a live stream the other night and only had maybe 20 viewers. I shared their stream to the Socially Distant Fest group and they had over 900 views last time I checked. You are definitely helping those that need it.
I know that John Legend did a streaming show. And Bernie was streaming a rally with concerts.
Tell me about the Sunday showcase and how you guys are planning to do it. We do have all sports ball and church gatherings canceled.
Holy shit. I didn’t even think about that. Well, we have gotten hundreds of submissions. There are so many talented folks out there. It’s crazy. We have a few people going through those and trying to get a lineup and deal with the scheduling and call backs. We are looking at going from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday. 20-minute sets with 10-minute breaks in between to get the next act ready and introduced. So roughly 24 acts on Sunday.
Will King of Pops be selling popsicles as per usual?
I hope so. Jared Lee comes up with some great flavors.
Any final thoughts?
I would like to say that every person working on this is doing so out of a love of music and the people that make it. No one here is making a dime off of this. It is all volunteer.
More Info
Facebook: @sociallydistantfest