IF you're a self-described gig pig the closest you've gotten to live music during the COVID-19 pandemic has been watching a screen.
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Live-streaming shows such as Isol-Aid and The Lounge Room Sessions, have in many ways, provided the music industry with it's only life raft against the deluge of coronavirus lockdowns.
Henry Wagons, frontman of Melbourne Americana kings Wagons, has been one of the lucky ones. As a multi-talented performer, blessed with the gift of the gab, Wagons has had his weekly Double J alt-country show, Tower Of Song, to keep him occupied.
He's also branched into the world of live-streaming as the host of Delivered Live, a professionally-staged variety web series, with an optional cover charge. Delivered Live has seen performances from everyone from C.W Stoneking to Ali Barter to Kate Ceberano.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions easing in Australia and talk growing of music festivals and larger concerts returning by August and September, Wagons believes live-streamed concerts are part of the future.
"What we discovered was that once gigs had stopped and streaming had started, all these people who are either incapacitated always or are in regions that have been hearing about these dingy, cool Melbourne acts or these indie artists from dreary Sydney streets - they're getting to see these acts for the first time," Wagons says.
"So there's actually a need for streaming to persist after this COVID-19 thing is done.
"I think it'll take a while for people to get the confidence to hit the mosh pit again and heave with the masses. Perhaps we might see some kind of tapestry in the future where there are hybrid events, where gigs are both attended live and streamed at once."
Wagons, himself, is desperate to return to performing. His six-piece band have their new EP, Need A Ride, ready to be unleashed.
The diverse five-track record features songs that stylistically didn't fit last year's comeback album Songs From The Aftermath. There's everything from country psych (Need A Ride), to prog rock (Flotation Man) to more traditional alt-country balladry (Brand New Place).
Wagons describes the EP as a musical version of the children's game "murder in the dark."
"You don't know if you're gonna touch a bedpost, someone's snotty nose or a few guitar strings," he says. "There's a bit of twang, a bit of psycho billy, a cover."
Most of the EP was recorded prior to the COVID lockdown, except for the finishing overdubs, which Wagons handled himself, and the cover of Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline classic To Be Alone With You.
"We did it chain-letter style, like full iso," he says. "Basically I strummed through the song and we passed it around and everyone finished their part in their own rooms.
"A lot of us in Wagons are audio nerds and love recording. Some are more new to it than others, but everyone handed in great recordings."
Wagons release Need A Ride on June 26.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
