This year has been… a year. While everyone seemed to have what we could collectively describe as a “shitty year,” everyone has had a very different 2020. This year, we couldn’t all meet up at festivals all over the country or the world. This year we couldn’t high five each other, chug cheap beer, and scream along to songs in a basement (or garage or sticky venue) on a Friday night. All the things that seemingly made us “us” were stripped away, leaving other facets of ourselves that we had long since forgotten or placed on an upper shelf to collect dust for some day when we would have more free time.
I’ve spoken to people who feel like they lost their hold on music and others who clung onto it for dear life like a life preserver. It’s been… a year. And while everyone has bravely faced 2020 with a different arsenal of supplies, this resulted in a variety different outcomes. That’s why, in addition to our contributors’ End of the Year Lists, we at Bad Copy have reached out to a handful of friends involved in music this year and asked them to share their top lists. Music, movies, photos, memories, new hobbies – much like 2020, nothing is off the table when it comes to these lists. Let’s find a little good in the bad, try to laugh at what we can’t control, and pray that we will be able to safely see each other soon. First round is on me. – Kendra Sheetz, Editor
Let’s face it, 2020 has been a complete shitstorm, and not a fun one where you can belt yourself to a pipe like Helen Hunt then walk away totally fine. 2020 has been just awful for musicians especially, HOWEVER there are some absolutely wonderful things that have come from it! Here is my *Everything is FINE* top 10 list.
TEN. Taking time. Long walks. Rollerblading:
Most people know that I’m a nature queen and love to camp, be outdoors, jump in Lake Michigan, as long as the shorts are short and the sun is shining. It was amazing to be able to do this as one of the only safe activities for most of this year! I loved rollerblading along the lake shore trail, taking my fruit boots off, and taking a dip from the concrete steps.
NINE. Learning that I do not enjoy making bread:
Y’all, I tried. I swear I TRIED. But it’s not for me, and you know what? That is okay. I’m glad that I made this realization now as opposed to when I snag a husband and he wants an artisanal sourdough. I can pickle anything under the sun, but I’m buying a loaf from the aville farmer’s market and calling it a day.
EIGHT. Making digital shows and watching my friends adapt in great ways:
Most of the artists I know have had to adapt this year and find ways to get their music, drag, art out there into the world. Many also didn’t and that is also totally fine! I found it fun to create videos and some online content during the pandemic, specifically through Do312. We put together a goofy Unsolved Mysteries-esque short with all of our music videos called “Whodunnit? Shedunnit!” which can be found here.
SEVEN. New cocktails:
Typically at the bar, I will order a tequila soda and only allow myself 2-3 before playing a show depending on when load-in is (looking at you Empty Bottle with that 5pm load-in). All bets are off after the show of course. However, this year I began experimenting with fun at-home cocktails with herbs from the garden. I love bitter flavors (yeah, I know, bitter old queen) so it was nice to make herbal tonics and pretend that it was boosting my immune system when I was actually just drunk in my yard during the day.
SIX. Pasta making:
Do you find it hard to justify eating six portions of pasta for dinner alone while watching old episodes of Twin Peaks? I actually think it’s totally fine, but I did find that it was much easier to justify when you make the pasta from scratch! I made pasta a few times this year, but my favorite was the ravioli stuffed with spinach and mushrooms. Bonus points for not owning a rolling pin and using a nice $6 bottle of TJ’s tempranillo to get those super thin sheets.
FIVE. Strengthening friendships and solidifying my chosen family:
Yeah yeah, sappy sappy sappy. There has got to be one, huh? Regardless, this year allowed time to pull back and strengthen those true friendships which have developed into family. We’ve found pleasure in cooking for each other and leaving gifts on porches, figuring out new ways to be social, and really leaning into the tough conversations. Sometimes friendship can be fleeting, but this year it was anything but that. I treasure that experience.
FOUR. New band members and a new Bev Rage & the Drinks album on the way:
We played one show in 2020, which was Ian’s Party the first weekend of January. However, that show was the debut of our brand new lineup for the Drinks, which included Mary Rose Gonzales (drums) and Dan Jarvis (lead guitar) joining Sam and Bev to round out the band. We’ve been practicing somewhat regularly and safely through the year. We’ve written nearly a full album worth of new music, and plan to release a new album in 2021 once we can play some shows to promote it and tour behind it. We can’t wait for you to hear it as it is quite a departure from our past material!
THREE. 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days:
Okay, I have never been interested in things like the Real Housewives, but a friend turned me onto the 90 Day Fiance world, and lemme tell ya, my life was changed. Now, I do love all the satellite shows, but Before the 90 Days is specifically off the rails. Some days I feel like a Darcey chugging some white wine and sleeping in her full face of make-up. Some days I’m more of a Paul running into the jungle away from my problems. Then most days I’m Big Ed trying to fall out of bed. It is TV gold and I suggest you give it a watch, then come gossip with me about it.
TWO: Voting:
Okay, yes, we will have a new president soon. That is a collective sigh of relief from every compassionate person. Beyond that office, we also had a good amount of queer people, people of color, and indigenous people who were elected into positions of power this year. Hopefully by the time this comes out the senate will have been flipped and the former majority leader can continue his trajectory of melting into a puddle of flesh. He’s at least 75% there already and my wet-vac is revved up.
ONE: Never having to use the office restroom with old straight men ever again:
What could possibly be better than getting a new president?!? Well, this is truly the best thing to have come from quarantine. Have you ever had to share a restroom with an entire office full of 50+ year old straight men? Can you imagine the AUDACITY of thinking it is okay to sit down in a stall next to someone who is already in there? Talking on the phone while actively shitting? Having a conversation at the urinal while I can hear your weak stream of piss patter anemically against the porcelain? Oh, I know you didn’t wash your hands, Greg, because that sink makes a distinct noise when it turns on. I never ever ever ever want to do it again. Thank you, COVID, my nightmare has ended for at least a bit longer. Single-use, genderless restrooms FTW.
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