London-based band Another Sky has unveiled how the increasingly difficult economic climate faced by artists in the UK has heavily influenced their new album, “Beach Day.” As most London artists do, the four-piece had to share space and find cheap accommodation, until COVID hit and life became even harder. “COVID has changed my life,” lead singer Catrin Vincent explained. “I currently haven’t had anywhere to live for a year, with the UK housing crisis and trying to be in London. I even lived in a van for a while.”
The struggle to survive as artists has been the driving force behind this latest album by the band. According to Vincent, who is now a music educator, budget cuts for music have already affected education and the hostile attitude towards creatives in the UK is evident. Brexit and a cost of living crisis is also adding to the pressure, and it is now tough to sustain as an artist.
Vincent also mentioned how challenging day-to-day living has been for the band. After finding and losing jobs, benefits, and furlough payments, the band ran out of luck last year as their landlord sold the flat they were living in cheaply. With the escalating housing crisis making it impossible to rent anywhere else in London, the bandmembers have since been living sofa-to-sofa with family and friends. Their fight to survive, and the community surrounding the creation of their music in a DIY studio The Crypt – built inside a church – have inspired their second album.
Vincent spoke to NME to discuss the challenges facing musicians and what needs to be done. With little financial security in the music industry, many aspiring artists are struggling to make ends meet. The band is now looking forward to creating more music, with the hope that things will eventually work out
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