Lockdown: New Experiences - Matt Carter
Matt Carter is and event and wedding pianist with a wealth of large and small scale event experience. His repertoire is extensive, from modern pop songs to jazz, rock and film theme music. Based near Bury St Edmunds Suffolk, Matt travels across Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk also.
Pianist, Cambridge, Norfolk, Wedding, Event Pianist, Cambridge Wedding, Essex,
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Lockdown: New Experiences

Pianist with piano shell for hire
June 10, 2020

Lockdown: New Experiences

This is how it is sometimes. You’re cruising along planning for the future; building up your business, getting lots of bookings, looking forward to a great year. Then an invisible virus comes along and slams the breaks on. The government temporarily shuts down wedding venues. Brides and grooms are asking to reschedule. Every glance at the news reminds you of that dystopian novel you once read, the one you dismissed as being ‘a bit far fetched’.

But then you take stock. After all the rescheduling, reviewing and initial blind panic, you realise that you have a lot more time on your hands….

Like many others in all sorts of professions, this is where I found myself in the middle of March. I have a part-time teaching job and some savings so could get by financially in the short term. But instead of sitting around and doing nothing, I decided I wanted to try a few things I’d always wanted to do:

First music video

I wrote this song about the coronavirus and put a video to it. The video part was surprisingly easy.

Coronavirus song: It’s Corona (Going Viral)

First remix

I discovered a song by a local alt-folk musician called Belinda Gillett that I loved. Using her vocals, I then totally rewrite the arrangement. I told her that I’d never done it before so had no idea what the outcome would be. She agreed. And, after an intense week of learning on my part, this is what I put together. All instruments, production and video by me.

In response, Belinda said “I think you did a beautiful job. Honoured and proud”.

Playing with random celebrities

I played my first ever piano livestream in April, raising money for NHS Stars Unite. Then I got an email from a Norwich entertainment agency asking whether I wanted to be on the same bill as Katie Price, Kerry Katona, Living Joy and Sooty….how’s that for a random line-up?! I happily said ‘yes’.

More livestreams

I then had the livestreaming bug and raised money for the #SaveOurVenues campaign: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=273980120308267

Livestreaming for the very first time, supporting the Music Venue Trust's #SaveOurVenues campaign.The Hunter Club is a venue very close to my heart. If we don't raise funds, it may never reopen.Please make a donation if you feel you can: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savethehunterclubThank you,Matt x

Posted by Matt Carter – Wedding and Event Pianist on Thursday, 30 April 2020

I also privately livestreamed on the piano for a previous bride and groom (it was the groom’s 40th birthday!) – that was an experience!

It’s been a strange few months. The wedding industry is on hold. The events industry is on hold. But, at last, there are signs that things are beginning to change and get back to some form of normality.

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