I'm hardly the first to say this, but: Aussies, spare a thought for musos during this period. Not the celebs you see doing lousy concerts-from-home, but the rank-and-file ones who play hotel foyers, pubs, clubs, weddings, corporate events, etc., and teach on the side. /1

They've got no money coming in. They can't work from home. At best, they're dealing with sole trader red tape; at worst, they're bound for Centrelink. And unlike most sole traders, they were already facing a future in which their work was drying up all over the place. /2

Tonight I spoke to two of my old muso mates; they're miserable, disoriented, bored and understandably worried about the future. If you know such a rank-and-file muso, at least give them a call to cheer them up. They'll appreciate it. /end