ZOMBIESHARK! on Live Streaming Cybergrind/Noise in the COVID-19 pandemic

Cory Curly Swope of ZOMBIESHARK! took some time out to talk about live streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic.


you can check out ZOMBIESHARK! here!

https://zombieshark.bandcamp.com/

KITSCH MAGIK -  What's your project name and how long have you been active? 

Cory Curly Swope - I play in a Projected called “ZOMBIESHARK!” I’ve been releasing music 2010!

KITSCH MAGIK -Where are you from? How did the pandemic effect where your living right now? 

 Cory Curly Swope - I am originally from nowhere in Reading but I have lived in Philly since 2015. The pandemic has effected Philly much like everyone else, It’s depressing, It’s brutal, its affecting the lives of many people. My only hope is that everyone stays safe and inside, and hope this all passes sooner than later. 

KITSCH MAGIK -How are you doing during this pandemic? Has it made you more creative? 
   
Cory Curly Swope -  I’m very ok, could be a lot worse, I’m very thankful for my partner and roommates for being awesome people to be stranded with. I cant say for sure if its made more creative as much as it has pushed me to create art and write music. I’m trying hard to make at least one art piece or song a day, because I’m a very routine person, and I know if I stop I just wont do anything. 

KITSCH MAGIK -There has been a sudden peek of live streaming of performances since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Have you watched or played any? What was your experience if you did?  

Cory Curly Swope -  Ive played one so far! and watched a bunch now, I think most people can attest that is it defiantly not the same as playing a real show. I felt pretty good about mine, my roommates helped set it up, we had lights and made a night of it. Im not sure if i would do another one though.  I think for my set there are a lot of elements that need to be in place for it to work sound/mixing wise that i just don’t have for live video/audio recording. I think some people might have an easier time bypassing those kind of technical difficulties. Some live stream shows are done really well though, I might do another one yet but it might be some time again. I cant wait to return to playing normal shows

KITSCH MAGIK -When did you notice people start to organize live streaming events?  

  
Cory Curly Swope - I started to see it after Code orange did theirs, I though it was cool, though I’m not too fond of their music, It wasn’t till after that i  started seeing it a lot, It was bound to happen from any band though really, I think the moment massive tours and shows started to get cancelled people wanted to replace them as best they could.

KITSCH MAGIK -  Why do you think it took a global pandemic for a shift like this to happen? You would think the noise community would have jumped onto this beforehand, right? 

Cory Curly Swope - Maybe? it’s really hard to say, I don’t think there was quite a need yet for video streams, but I’m glad there are now!

KITSCH MAGIK - Do you think that a need to live stream performances has helped the noise community in a way, compared to other genres? 

Cory Curly Swope - maybe! i think its great that artists can keep busy musically during these strange times.  I think too because noise artists are solo its a lot easier for them to do this sort of thing rather than a full band (mixing for video/audio purposes) and since there are a lot of noise acts doing live stream shows when there aren’t any shows happening atm i think its helping other noise acts getting noticed.

KITSCH MAGIK - Do you think we are going to see more artists host live streaming events after this is over?

Cory Curly Swope - Maybe? I think for some communities it will do better than others. nothing beats playing to a real audience and feeling the energy and seeing friends etc. I think unless there is a heavy hand of stage set up/ theatrics to it its going to be hard to pull peoples attention back into it, but who knows! I think people could be doing some really creative things with it, and really take it to new places.


KITSCH MAGIK - How do you think this will change the landscapes of heavy/noisey acts?
 Cory Curly Swope - I’m really not sure at the moment. Im really hoping that there isn’t going to be a significant change n the ways we congregate for shows of all genres. I don’t think the community will allow to get grim though when its back. musical communities are going to find ways to make it all work again. I think the first couples shows going on after this is over are going to be LIT

 

KITSCH MAGIK -What is the first thing you are going to do after this whole thing is over?

    Cory Curly Swope - HANGING WITH FRIENDS :’( 




Bands to check out

Hallucinogenic bulb, Viscera, GOT ITEM!, Blind Equation, I Killed Techno, A Scent Like Wolves, Mikau, Codex Orzhova, Noisays, Wormhole, MOYOGASH, Burial Fog, Glass Spitter, Cop Jokes, Cycle Of Abuse, Mara Maple, Wormtooth, Yuckmouf,