How are the musicians coping post-pandemic?

With the global price rises, the devaluation of the Nepali rupee and artificial prices are hiked by traders pushing goods and services out of reach. With the inflammation many are suffering in the nation along with the live bands and artists due to their low pay.

While things are back to normal with bars, pubs and clubs opening their doors to the customers again after the pandemic, things still look dire for the live bands.

In conversation with the Square band, members of four, they all agreed on the fact that post COVID the payment got a lot less than pre-pandemic.

Jason Sunar, singer and guitarist, says, “It has been four years since I started doing gigs with the band. The journey has been full of ups and downs, especially now with the pandemic and now the low payment.” “It is sad to see that the live bands and artists are not getting the payment and the respect they deserve. This is our work and it is how we earn our living,” he adds.

During the lockdown, musicians around the country were left with no work, many even had to leave it behind to earn a living for the family. The already hard to break industry, has now become a rat race.

Shekhar Tamang, a bassist and singer, says, “With the numbers of live bands increasing, it is a rat race to get gigs. And at times live bands and artists are so desperate for work that they end up charging half of what the previous band was charging." He further adds, "This is also one of the reasons why many are facing a lot of problems. Even though the music industry is small, the people in it are yet to come together".

While talking to most of the local musicians, they say the pay they receive now is half of what they used to make before the pandemic. Many of the musicians say that they have started receiving calls for gigs but looking at the expenses that need to be incurred from petrol to all of the gadgets, it is better to stay home than go out and play!

Due to the payment issues some have even broken out of their bands and have started doing solo performances instead. And some left the industry itself to earn bare minimum to support their family.

While it is still a battlefield for the local musicians, Bishal Darai, guitarist says, “Things are hard. However, we are hopeful that things will get back to normal or it will atleast get better. But just hoping for it is not going to do us all no good.” “I believe it is best for all the musicians to come together and stand for each other. Why take low payment when we know we deserve much more,” he adds.

After the lockdown ended, musicians were hoping that things would go back to normal within fews months but it is taking far longer than anticipated.

Sanjay Shrestha, dummer, says, “While the payment issue is one of the problems local bands are facing, there are numerous others we need to focus on. I believe it is best if we have a committee where the veterans and newbies can talk openly in the industry.” “We all need guidance and proper plans moving forward, and musicians need to stick up for one another,” emphasizes Shrestha.