This year has understandably been tough for artists. With increasing levels of stress and anxiety, it is not easy to be freely creative. Yet, art, in all its forms, is more important than ever for getting people through these difficult times. Parlor Social is at the top of their game, and Ric’key Pageot and Dessy Di Lauro, the husband-and-wife duo behind the band, join us today to share what the pandemic has been like for them. We start by talking about some of the ways they have adapted to not being able to perform live and go on tour. Despite their initial reluctance to live streaming, they have found more connection than they ever thought possible with their virtual audience. Ric’key and Dessy talk about why they decided to give free access to their content, where they acknowledge their privilege of not being stressed about finances. We also hear about some of the other blessings that have come from this time for the pair like increased creativity and getting better at their craft. Naturally, the conversation goes to Black Lives Matter, where we talk about the issues of race and police brutality and what needs to be done to dismantle these imbalanced structures. Correcting racial injustices needs to happen at so many levels, including the arts, where Black and PoC artists have always been marginalized. Ric’key, with roots in classical music, talks about the underrepresentation of Black people in this musical genre and the work he is doing to give back. Although these times are dark in many ways, Ric’key and Dessy are doing so much to spread hope and be positive forces in people’s lives. They are the embodiment of selfless artists who want to spread light and joy through all that they create.  

 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Hear some of the creative ways Ric’key and Dessy have adapted to these trying times.
• The time that we all have now is a blessing if we can use it well.
• Ric’key and Dessy’s skepticism around the vaccine and why they would still take it.
• How Ric’key and Dessy’s respective families are doing during the pandemic.
• Why Ric’key and Dessy decided to create Soulful Jazz Brunch and the reception to the event.
• The decision to not charge a fee for Soulful Jazz Brunch; wanting to make content accessible.
• The importance of engaging with your virtual audience to create connection.
• An idea Ric’key has to release an album of all the songs they recorded during the pandemic.
• When Ric’key and Dessy finally found their stride with live streaming.
• The major improvements Ric’key and Dessy have seen getting to perform every week.
• Some of the technical difficulties Ric’key and Dessy have faced going virtual.
• Work Ric’key is doing to get back to his classical music roots and some incredible discoveries he’s made.
• Hear about the progress Ric’key has made with his upcoming movie project.
• Why Ric’key wants to give back at this stage in his career and ways he plans on doing so.
• Ric’key’s experience at McGill University, where there were very few Black students.
• Why Dessy feels even though conversations around race and police brutality are important, they are not enough.
• How Ric’key and Dessy believe you can spread hope in these difficult times.
• The hope that Sourdough has for his kids, who are growing up in a world different to his.
• The problems the U.S. is currently grappling with are not unique to the country; they are global issues.
• Where to find Parlor Social online and what they have in the pipeline.
• Dessy’s words of comfort to her fellow artists: Be kind to yourself in this hard time.
• Find out about the line of skincare products Dessy has created.

For more information and photos, visit here: https://notrealart.com/ric’key-pageot-dessy-di-lauro