By Maud Weaver

Venue closures and cancelled tours have been taking away income and support from musicians throughout the pandemic, leaving artists wondering if they should continue to pursue music and struggle with the need to remember what this path brings them joy.

One of these musicians is Tav, a Toronto-based RNB, EDM and pop artist who is also a Fashion Management student at George Brown College.

“I had a live performance in February, I think it was, right before the pandemic kind of hit,” she said. “I can’t remember the name of the spot, but it was this really cool place. It was basically this showcase that a bunch of young artists put together, and it was cool because I was really the only girl and I was the only RNB singer.”

“I really do miss it.”

Tav, who performs under a stage name, has been trying to continue to figure out and work towards her career in music throughout the pandemic.

“As an artist, and I know other artists feel this too, we feel so much pressure to just create, create, create and like keep going, but sometimes it’s okay that you’re not going, going, going. That’s something I’ve learned throughout the pandemic.”

With artists unable to play in many locations, it is both the artists and venues that are struggling. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 11 music venues in Toronto have closed down. Venues were already at risk before the pandemic due to development and rising rent costs, but the pandemic exasperated these problems.

“Honestly, it’s hard, through this pandemic I have even gotten to the stage where I’m like maybe I should pursue something else cause this isn’t necessarily the most stable kind of path that I’m taking,” says Tav.

In response to the pandemic, there has been some artist relief funds and grants from individual organizations and the government. John Tory, mayor of Toronto, has also announced that 48 venues will receive a total of $1.7 million in property tax relief for support. Tav understands these options are out there, but has relied on the support of the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and her family.

“I actually haven’t applied for any artists grants just because the CERB really has been good for me, like, personally. I really have benefitted from the CERB program that they have put in place,” says Tav. “Even with my family, they are very supportive of who I am and how I do my art and just everything, and I really, really appreciate my family for that. Support is a big thing for artists.”

Tav says that live music is a social and cultural staple. In navigating through these unprecedented times, citizens must consider the importance of supporting artists on an individual level.

“Especially through this pandemic, we need to really figure out how the next couple years of our lives are going to be. So just listen, try new things, support your friends, put in money.”