COVID-19 restrictions fuel creative process for Bones and Jones

When COVID-19 restrictions were initially announced, local band Bones and Jones scrambled to figure out their next move.

The six-piece band with members from Geelong and Ocean Grove were in the middle of a national tour with coming show dates in Adelaide.
Lead singer and guitarist Jasper Jolley said it was a difficult time for the band and they struggled to adjust to the new circumstances.
“Not being able to practise was the biggest impact, and we’re all best friends too so it was really hard not being able to hang out with your mates,” he said.
Jolley said not being able to tour had been a blessing in disguise, and that with loosened COVID-19 restrictions allowing the band to be in the same room together, members of Bones and Jones had used this time to write new music.
“It’s been a good time to write songs, so we’ve written a bunch and recorded some that we’re going to release in the next few months.”
However, Jolley said that as coronavirus cases rise in Victoria there is a fear that the band will once again not be able to see each other and continue their creative process.
“As a six-piece we couldn’t legally hang out together so now we’re afraid it’s going to go back to that especially because we’re in the middle of doing some stuff,” he said.
Bones and Jones released their latest single “Take it Easy” in April and Jolley said it could be considered as an unofficial anthem for life in isolation.
“It wasn’t COVID-based at all, but it does kind of tie in with the isolation theme because it’s about slowing down and keeping your head up if you’re not feeling the best.”
The future of the Australian live music scene remains unclear, with many venues doing their best to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.
Jolley said live streaming music gigs may become the norm for the time being, but hopes the next step will be festivals showcasing Australian bands.
“I know venues are starting to talk about what they’re going to do and there is a positive outcome that could be festivals, if they happen, featuring Aussie artists,” he said.
Director of Torquay music shop Waves Music Co. Chris Hay said bands will have to wait a while for face to face gigs.
“We’ve seen some venues live streaming gigs and the reality is at the moment you can’t play a show and musicians need to be able to adjust,” he said.
While it may not be easy for musicians to perform directly to their fans at the moment, Hay says music is more important than ever for people.
“Music can help when people are feeling a bit crazy and finding it hard to grasp everything that’s going on and music can really help to provide a distraction from that.”
Jolley agrees listening to music can be beneficial and says the creative process has helped him through difficult times.
“It’s a good outlet and it’s cheap therapy because it’s nice to write songs no matter what you’re feeling.”
Bones and Jones’ single “Take it Easy” is available for purchase from bonesandjones.bandcamp.com/track/take-it-easy or can be streamed across all music services including Spotify and Apple Music.