Home

For love... and money

Jackson Lavell-LeeBusselton Dunsborough Times
Capes musicians like Mitch Baker and Evan Smith have turned to performing online amid the COVID-19.
Camera IconCapes musicians like Mitch Baker and Evan Smith have turned to performing online amid the COVID-19. Credit: Busselton-Dunsborough Times

Musicians across the Capes have turned to the internet to provide entertainment to self-isolating fans amid the COVID-19 social restrictions.

On Monday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced strict new measures for public gatherings with pubs and restaurants closing aside from takeaway service.

Many artists’ shows were cancelled with festivals and gigs postponed for at least six months. The decision has affected the entertainment industry from sound engineers to staging, production event and logistics companies.

Dunsborough musician Mitch Baker’s gig last Friday night was cancelled so he organised guitarist Evan Smith to rendezvous at his home where they live-streamed a performance.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“Evan is a sound engineer at BREC and he agreed to do it as long as the sound quality was good enough to go live so we pulled our resources together and got it happening in just under two hours which I was stoked with,” he said.

“We just wanted to do something for people and let them know that even though we are all feeling the pinch right now we are still willing and able to lift spirits so why would we not?”

Capes musicians like Mitch Baker have turned to performing online amid the COVID-19 restrictions
Camera IconCapes musicians like Mitch Baker have turned to performing online amid the COVID-19 restrictions Credit: Busselton-Dunsborough Times

Baker took suggestions from his growing audience, conversing with people leaving positive comments and improvising a cappella songs.

“We basically wanted to get some ideas for some new material from people if they had suggestions but the rest of the 2 hours and 15 minutes was off the cuff — that’s the way we like it.”

The live video was quickly shared more than 30 times and in the following days received 350 comments and 2600 views.

“Thanks a million to anyone that did tune in and that enjoyed watching us perform live or watched it in the days that followed. To be able to lift people up in a really uncertain time is definitely a gift we are grateful for,” Baker said. “If any of you beautiful people want to donate to us to help us, there is a link to a Pay Pal tip jar where you can tip us any amount of money.”

Future performances aligned with Government recommendations can be found on Facebook; Mitch Baker.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails