The Corona crisis is a disaster for professional musicians.
Matthias Richter, bass player in the band “Schandmaul”, also weighs on the lack of perspective.
Dachau / Schwabhausen
- “I won't let my courage be taken away, but it's a catastrophe.” Matthias Richter is bassist with “Schandmaul” and bass teacher at the “Jam Labor Musicschool” in Schwabhausen - and with a few exceptions has been unemployed for almost twelve months .
No concerts, no festivals, almost no music lessons - like many of his musician and artist colleagues, the 40-year-old from Dachau is on dry land.
So far there has been no state aid for him personally.
As a band, “Schandmaul” has now submitted an application and even “got a little something”.
But that's just a “drop in the ocean”, as the thoroughbred musician states.
The aids "prolong the vegetation", says Richter.
What professional musicians now need are sensible concepts and planning security.
But there is currently no one in the industry.
Neither for musicians, nor event technicians, caterers, lighting technicians, stylists and many more.
The insecurity and lack of income are currently driving many colleagues into other professions.
"Some of my bandmates have also had part-time jobs since autumn, the mountain of debts is getting bigger and bigger," reports Matthias Richter.
He himself has not had any income for a long time, but lives with his girlfriend, who earns full money.
In addition, he still has some “buffer”, is currently building up a second mainstay and hopes to be able to teach and perform again soon.
Because from mid-2021 it will be difficult for him to survive too.
But: "Because of Corona, I am not questioning my life as a professional musician," says the professionally trained bassist.
The 40-year-old started playing bass at the age of 13, has even studied his instrument at various universities and has been with “Schandmaul” for 23 years.
He was with the band not only at number 1 on the charts, but on stages all over the world.
Performing in front of tens of thousands of people - that was suddenly no longer possible in 2020.
Instead of the planned 40, there were ultimately only four appearances.
Matthias Richter believes that there will soon be a kind of normality again, the industry is currently far from it.
Listening to music and partying with friends arm in arm and a beer in hand at the Wacken Festival - “no way”, says the disappointed 40-year-old.
You need staying power now, but the longer the lockdown lasts, the less it would survive financially, Richter fears.
He doesn't believe in a quick return or in regular concerts this year.
With a heavy heart, the “Schandmaul” team decided at the beginning of February to finally cancel the “Round Table” tour planned for March 2020, postponed to autumn 2020 and then to April 2021.
Instead of standing on stage or teaching, Matthias currently only practices for himself.
Several hours a day, because just like athletes keep fit, they too want to be ready to go when they can start again.
Most of the day, however, he sits at the PC to process the reverse processing of the ticket sales for the failed tour.
That’s around 700 orders, which costs time and, above all, nerves.
“It's a ticket disaster that is currently causing a psychological strain on me.
You need a lot of optimism and willingness to make sacrifices, ”he says.
Fortunately, his father Günther helps him with the reversal.
Richter has been taking care of the ticket shop for his band “Schandmaul” for more than 14 years and now wants to expand his shop in order to be more broadly based.
In addition, he and a fellow music teacher founded their own cover band last year in order to be able to play at weddings or on similar occasions.
He would also like to teach as soon as it is allowed again.
"I'll come back stronger" - that's what the bassist has decided.
He is happy to have the support of his girlfriend and his family and knows that many of his colleagues are “much dirtier”.
How many colleagues can or want to come back - there remains a big question mark.
Because in order to survive, many have turned their lives upside down and have looked for permanent positions in other industries.
Turned their backs on the musician's life - maybe forever.
Simone Wester
