There’s no running from Coronavirus (COVID-19) even as much as you try to avoid the media and news outlets. COVID-19 dominates conversations and headlines, but for U.K. electronic artist Steve Lawler COVID-19 hit a little too close to home. While he couldn’t be tested, Steve Lawler exhibited COVID-19 symptoms back in March and went into self-isolation before the U.K. government announced a national lockdown. “I was in lockdown three weeks before everyone else. […] I’m getting to spend more time with my children than I ever did,” says Lawler over the phone.
Now as some parts of the world are entering three months of social distancing, Steve Lawler sees how COVID-19 continues to impact the dance music industry: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
“I feel so much tension out there now…including with myself…[…] I’m like we got to stick together; we are one of the biggest close-knit industries. The community that we have is incredible, but one thing that I’ve noticed [during] this lockdown is that I don’t believe we are acting close as we once were.” Steve Lawler on COVID-19
The seasoned DJ and producer who has 20 plus years in the business feels the pandemic has triggered a reset around the world; one that the dance music community can benefit from. He cites how he sees artists and other members of the community fighting on social media noting that he’s even been caught in the crossfire and was recently involved in an online tiff. “We should all be coming together, more than we ever have,” urges Lawler.
COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate and its rapid spread has impacted people’s well-being and livelihood on a global level. Everyone is feeling the effects of COVID-19 in one way or another. Currently, more than 5.3 million people have tested positive around the world, and the United States alone accounts for nearly one-third of the cases. While Steve Lawler cleared the COVID-19 hurdle a couple of months ago, his brother, who owns a small artist management agency, is still fighting the good fight working to sustain his family along with millions of others around the world.
With a lack of support from the government and funds quickly drying out with the music business at a standstill, Lawler felt the need to help his brother in any way he could. “I’ve been trying to do as much as I can for him because we’re family, we don’t even live in the same country. This can’t be real, this can’t be happening,” says Lawler. With the needs of the world-changing so are business models. Services and products are adapting to current times.
“For the first time in our life, we are not in control..and we’re all so busy getting through the day to the day that it’s hard to comprehend…” — Steve Lawler on our “new” normal
The pandemic may have redefined the everyday routine and turned 2020 on its head, the music dance industry has adapted quickly. In mid-March label powerhouse Defected Records organized one of the first virtual festivals in little to no time. The music can’t stop and won’t stop. Evident enough is Lawler’s debut on Danny Howard’s Nothing Else Matters imprint. “Don’t Ask” is the title to his latest track alongside a special remix from Jansons.
Lawler’s productions have homes i