The Lockdown Interviews (Fifth Anniversary).

In 2020, a major pandemic hit the world. The virus, named Coronavirus or Covid, spread across the planet, killing more than 15 million people, according to the World Health Organization. Faced with this threat, and still lacking a cure or vaccine, most countries opted to self-isolate their citizens starting in March, waiting for scientists to develop a valid medication to stop the disease. These were three months of mandatory lockdown at home, causing anxiety and stress in many people, who couldn't bear not being able to live life as they had until then. But many other people took advantage of this free time to pursue their favorite hobbies or learn new things. This blog thought it would be a good idea to reach out to musicians around Jethro Tull (past or present members of the band) and ask them three questions based on how they were spending their time in confinement. Some musicians declined to answer, but many others did. The questions were: 

1. What are you doing with your unexpected time at home? 

2. What music do you turn to in times of crisis for solace and comfort, and why? 

3. Anything else you want to say to your fans right now? 

Now, five years after those critical days, we want to remember the answers kindly given by those who agreed to the interview, and we want to thank everyone for their kindness.

SCOTT HAMMOND (Jethro Tull drummer)

Sorry for the delay...

What are you doing with your unexpected time at home?

1. Due to the coronavirus situation that we are all facing, I'm spending some quality time with my lovely family which I'm not always able to in normal times as a result of touring.While my friends, family & I remain healthy, I am able to continue to practise drums at home and to do something new for me - teaching drum lessons live online, and this is working out well. I'm also writing music for the jazz trio I play with called The Hopkins-Hammond Trio (https://www.thehopkinshammondtrio.com/ ) and my own funky project called Jingu Bang ( https://www.jingubang.co.uk/ ). Besides this I'm watching lots of films with my family. We've just watched all the Harry Potter films in order in only 4 evenings.

What music do you turn to in times of crisis for solace and comfort, and why?

2. The same music I turn to at any time to be honest... Derek Trucks, Herbie Hancock, Little Feat, Deep Purple, John Scofield, Larry Goldings, The Brothers Landreth, Talk Talk, Beady Belle, James Taylor, ZZ Top and many others. Why? ... because their music makes me feel good - and inspires me.The latest song (or tune) I'm really enjoying is an instrumental called "Sun Up Sun Down" by Roosevelt Collier.

Anything else you want to say to your fans right now?

3. Although we can't be touring right now, the band will be back on the road at the earliest opportunity. Hopefully sooner rater than later.I'm looking forward to seeing you all in a theatre or festival soon. It's very strange having literally all gigs cancelled for a couple of months for all the different bands I play with - and nobody is quite sure how long this will last.

It's not always easy to stay positive through this tough time but I always feel so much better after doing some daily exercise - a few star jumps and some skipping (or jump rope if any Americans are reading this) and I'm uplifted again.

I'd also like to say thank you to all the doctors and nurses who are working super hard to try and keep us all healthy. 

Take care everybody and stay safe,

Scott.

scotthammond.co.uk

JOE PARRISH-JAMES (Jethro Tull guitarist when he answered the questions, he was replaced by Jack Black some months ago).

Hi Juan, sorry I forgot to reply to this. 

1 - I am currently doing other musical things with my time at home, focusing on recording more of my own music for my band Albion, and doing new arrangements for my Youtube channel, as well as some online teaching. 

2 - The music I choose to listen to isn't based on what is happening in the world around me, I still just listen to the music I wish to listen to regardless. 

The stuff I always seem to go back to is (perhaps predictably) medieval music, traditional folk music, classical music and some progressive rock/metal too. 

I suppose the medieval music in particular has some relevance now since it is extremely beautiful and melodic, and yet it 

comes from a time when generally life was far more difficult and basic health and happiness much harder to achieve than in modern times, even in current situations like this. 

3 - I am extremely sorry that we have had to postpone and cancel shows so soon into the tour. I was waiting for a long time to play live with the band and it is a huge disappointment to have shows delayed and rescheduled. 

That being said I know there is every intention of making up for that when the situation allows for it, and finally playing the rescheduled shows in the future when this is all sorted out will be a wonderful feeling. 

I hope everyone can stay safe and healthy and when this is all over we'll all be getting together to enjoy some music, and we'll enjoy it that much more having been deprived of the experience. 

Thank you!

DEE PALMER (Former Jethro Tull keybordist and orchestral arranger)

Q; Unexpected free time. A: I could do without it, frankly. You see, I have no deadlines to meet, no one is calling and asking for the score and band parts. Too much time (other than our natural lifespan) is not going to improve your understanding of the real meaning of life or the late Beethoven Quartets either! if I were just a keyboard player then, perhaps, I could give more time to technique and improving upon it but, given that if I put a clean sheet of manuscript paper on my desk I am just as likely to start designing a garden feature, a recipe using only 3 ingredients, an image of my Mum from 50 years ago etc. or some other frivolous idea as I am to attempting to write a fugal exposition, a simple, singable song or, even, a sketch for a much larger work. Q: Times of crisis. A: Music - Bach, Beethoven for solace. Scarlatti, Handel, Byrd, Tallis for comfort. Why? Because those writers have always done it for me - simple. Q: Anything else to say? A: I am quietly content and have been extremely fortunate in my life thus far - hopefully because I did what I liked and Liked what I did. If you can manage that I suspect you can't get anything better. Bless you all - live long, keep cool and stay safe. DP x

GERRY CONWAY (Former Jethro Tull drummer (Mr. Conway died 29 march 2024, Rest In Peace).

I’m polishing my drum kits,listening to everything on Itunes and loving YouTube!.

Thank you all !. Gerry.

MARTIN BARRE (Former Jethro Tull Guitar God)

1 ).   I'm very busy re-scheduling cancelled shows due to the virus and travel restrictions.
There is a mad dash from all bands finding alternate slots at theatres.
So far ,we have been quick enough and lucky to get all the shows from April/May into the end of the year tours.
We all have to wait and see how circumstances develop.
The most important ingredient in all of this is the health and safety of all of us.
Otherwise:
I always have a huge backlog of chores, some admin, phone calls, household business.
I make myself take a break for fresh air and, at the moment, some sunshine !!
2).   I am enjoying giving my ears a well deserved holiday ,but, of course, I still play every
day...it's a hard habit to break ( that's a Chicago song !!)
I keep up my practise and always have fun inventing new musical routines...they are infinite !!
I love to read books and enjoy the endless TV series and movies that I miss out on when I'm on tour.
Mostly ,though, I love to play, I love my guitar collection and always have mandolins, bouzoukis and
various wind instruments and keyboards as a contrast....essentially, I don't get bored.
I love my running and the spring weather is adding to the fun, plus, I'm discovering new trails and routes
from our home that I never knew about !!!!
3) I was so pleased to play to over 7000 fans in South America and we had an amazing experience
with the addition of Adam Wakeman on keyboards ,forming a formidable duo with the strings of Dee Palmer
The sound was fabulous and we plan to bring this to North America,Canada and beyond !!!!
Please stay safe and be assured that me and my band will be there for you, playing with even more power and fire !!!

JONATHAN NOYCE (Former Jethro Tull bassist)

Hello Juan.

Thanks for your message.

I'm catching up on listening to some of my favourite artists (currently Curtis Mayfield), reading some books (right now Flea's autobiography). My studio is at home so I have a space to write and play music. I am compiling music for an album, so finishing off mixing tracks.

Comfort listening. If I'm in need of comfort, some time spent outside surrounded by nature serves me best. Musically, many things, often lyrics, move me. Elvis Costello is a master, I love the British new wave bands. Charlie Parker touches a soft spot for me (try Parker's Mood). I will often start the day by listening to old vinyl records. I find those moments meditative.

I wish everybody good health and good luck. These are difficult and thought provoking times for us all. The simple things in life serve us best.

Take care, Jonathan.

ANDREW GIDDINGS (Former Jethro Tull keybordist)

Hello everybody !.

I am busy sitting in the sunshine at home. In the evenings I go into my studio to make some music. I listen to Classical music, pop, rap, prog and all other kinds of music depending on my mood. Best wishes to everyone , we will meet again!

PETER-JOHN VETTESE (Former Jethro Tull Keybordist

Sorry for belated response:

1) I practice piano in the morning and work on various music projects that are still ongoing (usually string arrangements for other artists. I’m also in my last year of a Philosophy degree and it’s essay time!!

2) I turn to music that is compositional and harmonically rich. I love progressive Jazz with Taylor Eigsti being one of my favourites at the moment.

3) I would say to all fans of Jethro Tull that I hope that, providing we can all keep life and limb together for now, I believe there are better days coming soon that will allow us all to appreciate all sincere musical endeavour. And let’s hope that Jethro Tull continue to play their part!

All the best,

Peter.

And that's all !. 

We would like to thank, once again, all the musicians who agreed to answer our questions.