#TogetherAtHome with Raphi and Beranger

Music helps us all stay connected during these uncertain times. So Shure is talking to artists to find out how they’re coping with the crisis. Today, we have a video from London-based singer RAPHI and an interview with the French-Australian duo BERANGER.

What would our lives be without music right now? If you’re anything like me, you may have found some much-needed comfort in the surge in online collaborations and performances by artists around the globe. It’s safe to say that this connection is equally helping to keep our beloved artists going during this difficult time. 

Of course, the shift from live venues to virtual performances has completely transformed the way we are able to interact with many of our favorite musicians. Some are inviting us to take a glimpse at how they are taking this time to remain connected and creative during these unprecedented times.

Raphi is a singer-songwriter based in London. Since graduating from the city's Brit School, she’s worked with a number of producers and even supported Robbie Williams during his Live at Hyde Park show last year. But during the lockdown, she has been working on improving her own production skills. Find out more in her video message below.

Beranger Gras, a French pianist, and Todd James, an Australian drummer, met each other on the streets of Berlin almost four years ago. With their unique mix of classical piano and alternative rock, they started off drawing huge crowds listening to them jamming in park. Their fan base was growing at a nice clip and they had plans to tour this spring and play several festivals this summer. Then the COVID-19 crisis hit. We caught up with Beranger to ask how him how he and Todd were doing.

How do you feel these days?

We feel like many people in the world currently feel. It’s quite normal to feel confused at the moment, since it’s such a strange time. Although it is a big change, the situation seems to be bringing to the forefront what is actually important in life. We are currently isolated as a group of four, whether we like it or not. These four people are like family, and we have to look out for each other.

How have you been staying creative at home? 

Someone once told me that the creative mind is either productive or destructive and this is somewhat true for us. So we have to keep busy and continue doing what we love – practicing, experimenting with new ideas and producing some new music ourselves. Unfortunately, it can’t be music 24/7 as inspiration comes and goes, so we’ve also been dedicating time to journaling and self-reflection, reading, cooking and exercise which has helped us to maintain some sanity!

How has your band been affected? 

Our first headline tour to promote our new single “Hands Go High” was sadly cancelled after day three in Cologne, Germany. All of a sudden, we were left with a lot of free time. A typical April for us is to take our kit to the park and play for lots of people at Mauerpark in Berlin. Since we can no longer perform live in person, we have started an online stream live from my bedroom. It was initially intended to be a one-time thing, until we realized that this could really brighten ours and many other people’s days. Every evening at 8pm we do a live stream to our Instagram and Facebook fans. It’s been truly special.

What are your plans for the future? 

Music has always been a form of therapy for us and during this time it has become more evident. We often improvise during our live performances and it’s always spontaneous and genuine. The parts we are improvising at the moment are conveying a unique expression through live streaming and the audience is really connecting with this. The live streams at 8pm have been crucial to our daily structure and many people have said that watching it is the only routine that they have in their day, so although things are difficult right now, we’re pleased that we’re able to share what we love to support others all over the world in staying safe at home. We are all in this together, so let’s get through it together.

We'll back back soon with more musicians discussing how they're staying creative. In the meantime, check our tips on building your own home studio. Remember: You might be stuck at home, but you’re not alone. We are #togetherathome.