Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, musicians have cancelled their tours and venues have closed indefinitely. This episode explores how musicians and artists are taking their craft online to reach their audience. We report on how Twitch, a platform most known for streaming video games, has become a place for musicians to monetize their livestream performances. Musician Hollis Wong-Wear talks about how her performances and presentations at SXSW were cancelled due to COVID-19 and how she’s now taking her music and “Hollis Does Brunch" series, where she combines food and performance, to Youtube and Twitch. Meanwhile, Seattle choreographer Kate Wallich has found great success taking her “Dance Church” classes online amid COVID-19, with 10,000 streams a class. We also hear what songs are helping listeners get through social isolation.

Check out Hollis Wong-Wear's "Hollis Does Brunch" series on YouTube or Twitch

Catch one of Kate Wallich's "Dance Church" live streams

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We explore the stories of three musicians who work day jobs to supplement their work as artists. First is Lesli Wood, who fronts the band Skates! As a lawyer by day, she used to have to hide her tattoos and neon hair in court in order to be taken seriously. Then, we meet Mark Arm of the iconic Seattle grunge band, Mudhoney. His day job is stuffing records and managing the warehouse for the record label his band is on, Sub Pop. Lastly, we talk to Geo. He’s best known for his Seattle hip-hop group, Blue Scholars, but his main job now is running two acclaimed café/bars in Seattle called “Hood Famous."

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Bikini Kill talks about their role in the feminist punk rock, Riot Grrrl movement in the 90s and how some of their songs are still relevant today. Yuuki Matthews of The Shins talks about the side project he’s released called Teardrops. He created the project with the late Richard Swift. Richard Swift was a solo artist, producer and played with The Shins and Black Keys. He died in 2018 from complications from alcoholism.

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On March 11, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced a prohibition on events of more than 250 people and added criteria for events smaller than 250. The owners of Seattle music venues The Royal Room and The Crocodile discuss how this will impact their business and the music scene. Local writer Ijeoma Oluo talks about starting a Go Fund Me campaign to support artists struggling with cancellations due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Two musicians in Italy talk about how COVID-19 has impacted their country and music scene.

Read KEXP's Guide for Artists and Fans to Support Music During the COVID-19 Outbreak

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In celebration of International Women’s Day, this episode is dedicated to some badass women making music. Rachel Stevens reports on how Washington State’s new paid family leave law is impacting musicians in the gig economy. Soccer Mommy takes us through how she organized her latest album by different colors and moods. Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast talks about how her journey to sobriety has made her happier and helped her connect more to music. Phantogram will talk about their new album and how one song was a reflection on seeing so many suicides, overdoses and school shootings on the news.

Related stories: https://www.kexp.org/read/2020/3/6/northwest-womxn-their-experiences-music-industry-and-hopes-future/

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.