Folk rockers Jake Swamp + The Pine are taking quarantine in stride. The duo, Stuart Babcock and Drew Zieff, released their song “Chapstick and Change” at the end of April amidst a National shutdown which ultimately sparked an idea for a different type of music video. So they began requesting and compiling clips from various friends, family, and fans all with a similar theme: having fun. The result is a heartwarming showcase of friends and family isolating separately, but feeling together.
While not originally planned, the idea for a crowdsourced music video ultimately fit the drink-in-hand, jovial nature of the song. Swaying next to your friends in a wood paneled pub, clinking glasses and just having a good time. Listeners may have to wait a little while longer before they can enjoy a beer in a bar room again but with a laptop, some online friends and a six pack from your local essential liquor store you can settle for the next best thing. “If we can encourage people to have fun and to show people having fun [maybe it can] bring some light to these uncomfortable times,” says Babcock.
The whole process took about three weeks from start to finish. “We wanted to be able to include as many people as possible. One person who wanted to help is a nurse so her schedule needed a little more time,” an accommodation Zieff was happy to provide, “if people were willing to help then it’s fine if it took an extra day or two.”
As for the response to the video since it’s premiere on May 19th, it’s been overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone really enjoys seeing themselves… It brought me a lot of happiness just to see people listen to us and have a lot of fun. Stu and I are also both avid concert goers so this was a fun opportunity [to have people] engage with music,” says Zieff.
With cancelled tours and rescheduled festival weekends swirling through the live music industry, many bands have found it difficult to cope with the current shutdowns, but an equal amount of artists have found ways to deal with all of their newfound free time. “It has allowed time to explore the business side of being in a band. Managing, getting in touch with industry contacts, setting up merchandise. Stuff we hadn’t spent so much time on because we love being in the studio and playing so much. So having this opportunity was kind of a blessing in disguise,” says Babcock.
Not being full time musicians themselves, the duo recognize that they are more fortunate than some of their fellow musicians. “We had a lot of gigs scheduled, our album was slated for the fall, we had Harpoon Fest [coming up], but like I said we’re not impacted like some of our friends as much as it just fucking sucks,” explains Zieff.
When asked if they had any advice to give other creatives currently living in isolation Zieff described how “being inside and not experiencing what usually gives me inspiration is forcing me to write. Even if it’s crap it’s still something. In the beginning it was really tough because I wasn’t getting the same stimulation.”
“We’re both big outdoorsmen,” echoes Babcock. “One of the things I think you have to do as a creative is look as deep down in your soul as you can. So if you have to spend a lot of time with yourself – which certainly can be a burden in some cases – but if you dig down and find some nugget you haven’t before that’s going to serve any creative well.”
Looking toward an uncertain future, Jake Swamp and the Pine plan to host more live stream performances, hopefully release a couple new singles and continue working on a full length album, possibly before the year is out.
Check out their music on Spotify and YouTube and follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and watch the video for “Chapstick and Change” below.