Bombay Bicycle Club, The Big Moon and Flyte on the musical comforts getting them through quarantine

“The album title seems like quite a negative idea at first glance,” says Jamie MacColl, guitarist of Bombay Bicycle Club. “But actually, it’s about music being the one thing that goes right."

The album he's referring to is the band’s latest, Everything Else Has Gone Wrong , which came out in January of this year. Its initial release was relatively unscathed by the coronavirus outbreak, but that's not to say that MacColl isn't conscious of the irony now lingering in what he just said: “I guess this is something that’s become even more relevant now – but obviously we could not have predicted that this was going to happen!”

Still, this newly found prescience doesn't detract from the welcome positivity of Everything Else Has Gone Wrong, and while the world can feel like a difficult place to live in at the moment, for many – artists included – music has proven to be a great source of comfort amidst the chaos.

For some, this comfort might take the form of a few hours spent rediscovering a dusty record collection; for others, it will be a case of headphones in, trusty playlist on, and out for a jog. When it comes to professional musicians, relationships with music will obviously be more complicated at the moment – but for those here, at least, the positives still seem to be outweighing the negatives.

Jamie MacColl, Bombay Bicycle Club

Bombay Bicycle Club’s Instagram page has been asking fans for music recommendations lately.

“After I did that post I started adding stuff to playlists I was listening to that fans had suggested," MacColl says; find the playlist here.

“There’s something quite communal about that kind of activity. And I guess there’s a lot of moves towards doing things at the moment, like Netflix Party, where everyone listens to – or watches – the same TV programme at the same time.”

MacColl also points to the feeling of escapism that so often accompanies the way we listen to certain albums, songs, and artists.

“I guess one of the most powerful things that music can do at the moment is take you to a happier place or a happier time and provide a source of comfort.”

So what has he been listening to? “I’ve actually been listening to my wedding playlist a lot [listen here] – because I got married last summer and we put together a very good wedding band for it, and so I’ve just been listening to the playlist of songs that were played."

“There are definitely certain albums that transport me back to particular times in the band’s existence as well.

“When we were recording the album in Silverlake in LA last September, that was the first time we’d spent a lot of time together since the hiatus really, so we were listening to a lot of music together.”

He mentions earlier examples from Bombay’s history, too: “The first time we went on a proper tour just after we left school, the band had a CD player and we only had two CDs: one of them was the first Metronomy album and the other was an album by a band called The Dodos. We just listened to those two CDs on rotation for about two weeks – so yeah, whenever I hear something from one of those albums now that really takes me back.”

MacColl seems confident that the distance won’t pose too much of an issue his band. Their recent six-year hiatus was enough to reassure him that “music will always bind us together, even if we’re not together as a band and making music.”

This being said, he’s still seeing plenty of Bombay bassist, Ed Nash, as the two live in the same house. “We bought a house together that had been converted into two flats, and I’ve got the upstairs flat and he’s in the downstairs. So, um, we do actually see each other every day!”

Should we be expecting any virtual performances in the near future? “Yeah, we can just livestream half of a Bombay song?”

Juliette Jackson and Celia Archer, The Big Moon

The Big Moon’s Juliette Jackson and Celia Archer have also been taking a creative approach to quarantine. Juliette has been giving guitar lessons to fans online, whilst Celia has been transcribing bass tabs and piano scores.

The guitar lessons seem to have been a comfort to both Jackson and her fans: “They have been so nice, it’s just been a lovely thing to do and I’ve really really enjoyed it. It’s been a luxury to be able to make a connection with strangers at a time when I’m only really seeing the people I live with. A lot of people just want to have a chat and hang out really, and that’s fine!”

Archer, meanwhile, has found that the familiar rituals of playing and writing up music have been a reassurance whilst away from the band. “It's so nice to play. It's also nice to remember it's a skill that is yours that you can practice and nurture, and no matter what happens you always have it. And I've been writing bass tabs and piano scores out for people which also feels good to do. It's as close to doing my job as I can get right now.”

They’ve also been using the time to explore new releases from other artists.

"Yesterday I watched a whole season of Come Dine With Me and ate loads of sweets," says Jackson.

“Music is a much more nourishing form of comfort food. I’ve been enjoying the new album by Sorry, it’s really intricate but really visceral, there’s a lot in there to enjoy picking apart.

“I’ll always yell at people about songs – whenever I hear something that moves me. I’m obsessed with the new Caroline Rose album and have been shouting about it to Bob/your nan/your dog for a couple of weeks now. I think it’s nice to share the things that are helping us get through this.”

“Three amazing albums came out recently that I am grateful people told me about and have urged others to listen to – Waxahatchee's Saint Cloud , 925 by Sorry, and Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia," adds Archer, "I hadn't really been listening to that much music before because it makes me feel things quite intensely (and also reminds me of all the cancelled festivals) and I'm just trying to keep my emotions as level as possible right now, but then those three came along in the right way at the right time. God, I love music.”

Will Taylor, Flyte

London band Flyte made it back to the capital just in time for lockdown, and have since been escaping any potential claustrophobia by sharing a series covers recorded during their recent US tour.

With each new American state that they travelled to, the band would play a cover of an artist local to the area. “Almost every state had an artist we truly loved who was from there," Will Taylor, the band’s lead singer, explains. “Choosing was hard but we more or less let our audience decide for us ahead of time.”

So what drew them to repost the covers again now? “It definitely felt like an appropriate way to escape the confines of our tiny London flats. This being a time of reflection it’s a wonderful thing to go back and remember clambering up the Rockies with a guitar or dancing in front of Lake Superior in Canada.”

The strategy has also been a helpful way of keeping up with fans. “It’s been a great way to keep connected with everyone,” says Taylor.

The band’s fondness for audience participation has recently found another new outlet in the form of livestream concerts. “While everybody’s housebound it’s been a perfect alternative to the real thing.

“You’re playing to the whole world at once and because there’s a constant stream of requests you’re always improvising with the set. The audience has much more of a hand in the experience – and that can only be a good thing.”

Why does he think music has been such a comfort in recent weeks? Taylor immediately points to a sense of community. “It’s the same as books and films. They tell you that you’re not alone. It’s what art is for.”

So what has he been listening to? “Streaming has gone out the window and it’s been back to records on the turntable. When you’re buzzing around in the outside world it’s all about individual songs on playlists. But now it’s full-length albums – first side finishes, you get up and decide whether or not you feel like turning it over and carrying on with the second half. And I’ve been returning to some of the first records I ever bought; Radiohead's Kid A, Joni Mitchell Blue, Nick Drake's Pink Moon. It’s been heaven.”