ーーHow has the spread of coronavirus affected your lifestyle and creative process ?
Maika : I like staying at home and it is not rare for me to shut myself off from the outside world to make music. So I’m not going through a big change in my lifestyle at the moment.
ーーPlease share your thoughts and realizations about the current situation and anything in particular you have become aware of that has changed you or the initiative in any way.
Maika : I found it scary when I realized how preoccupied I am by all the news about this situation. I thought it was horrible that the fear was sort of haunting me. I got so scared that I couldn’t sleep at some nights and I almost became mentally ill although my body was totally healthy.(I even made a track for me to mediate with). I want to stay calm by collecting correct data, information and by knowing how to take precautions. As characters in action manga or in SF horror films show, staying calm is the best way to survive.
ーーAs a person in your position or a creator, how are you trying to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the lockdown?
Maika : Having a lot of indoor plants is good for me. I also think you can find happiness by having a relaxing time at home.
ーーIn light of your own activities, what kind of ‘creation’ or artistic endeavors are possible indoors?
Maika : I can make music anytime and can release it whenever, if I only have the internet. I also am able to do a live stream…
https://music.apple.com/jp/album/niet-ii-feat-maco-marets-single/1501251267
ーーPlease share any recommendations or ideas on how to use digital platforms to their full extent during the circumstances regarding COVID-19 or any measures that one can take themselves to use this opportunity for better and not for worse.
Maika : Spain, where the number of people infected has risen to 11,0000（as of 4th April） and the lockdown continues, online festivals have become really popular and I was lucky to participate in one of them from my house in Tokyo. In that festival, artists from many countries perform from their rooms based on the timetable, by using YouTube live. And the account of the organizer spreads the URL in real-time so that people can enjoy those shows. I’m so grateful to be a part of that and respect the organizers who took action to turn this situation around. If we could do this in Japan, it would be exciting. https://www.instagram.com/cuarentenafest/ (Cuarentena Fest)
ーーDuring this time is there anything you or the initiative would like to challenge yourself with?
Maika : I would like to take this opportunity to contact all of my favorite artists because I am usually too shy to do so.
ーーWhen this situation gets better and the spread of COVID-19 settles down, what would you like to do?
Maika : I want to share the joy with my family and friends by hugging them and doing high fives with them, as I always do when something great happens.
ーーDo you agree with the measures taken by the government in your own country? If not, what other measures would you recommend taking?
Maika : As situations change day by day, second by second, I cannot be judgmental. However, when I saw the news about distributing two masks to all households in Japan, I was frustrated and sad. But I do not want to be pessimistic and imagine the worse situations, by dwelling on these feelings. As my suggestion, I would say let’s not lose hope. Let’s not forget that we are capable of freely creating our own future with the strength of imagination. And also, let’s remember this sequence of events until the next election. Do not forget.
Maika Loubté
SSW・Track Maker・DJ
Instagram: @maika_loubte
Twitter: @maika_loubte
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