/A DAY WITH BILLSBRY/ 

Covid, music, ocean, and uncertainty.


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Hey bro!, apart from being away from gigs for such a long time, what was the real impact of this pandemic in your personal life and in your career?

Billsbry:
I think seeing the overall impact it had on the music community / industry was pretty challenging in itself. 
The uncertainty of future income as an artist was also a thought that definitely crossed my mind for sure...
Especially as an independent.
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How did you overcome that?

Billsbry:
Taking it day by day and focussing on the basics. Eating well, sleeping well, getting in the ocean...that kind of thing. 
Plus making music of course.
I settled into a really solid rhythm which enabled me to have a lot more clarity and awareness of any ups and downs.
My mindset shifted quite quickly from processing personal losses and cancelled gigs,
to becoming extremely grateful for where I live (Sydney, Australia) and the privilege that comes with that.
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Which things have you changed in your personal life by being at home, producing and composing music?

Billsbry:
I think settling into that simplified rhythm definitely reduced / reset any pressure I may have subconsciously placed on myself as an artist pre covid.
I still carry that new headspace with me now, even though things are getting back to somewhat busy normal here.
That clarity also enabled me to find other ways of expression to fill the void of not being able to play live,
which has always been a big energetic release for me, no matter how big or small the gig.
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Is there any change in the way you see your own career now?

Billsbry:
Not really, I always created music before I started making a living off of it so that's always going to be there.
In terms of the future music industry and where I fit in that, it's just a matter of time until it bounces back to what it was...

Hopefully with a fresh perspective though and more respect / support for the arts culture from the current government.

/AS IF THERE WERE NO TOMORROW/ 

A beautiful and flat day in Noosa Heads with Parker Sawyer, during the first WSL Longboard Tour stop    in this legendary spot, and prior to Covid-19 Lockdown.

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I was really excited about being in Noosa during this World Longboard Tour because I knew that the best longboard riders were out there. 
I was taking photos in the water when I meet Parker. He was just cruising, and I really wanted to capture those moments. Few hours after we shared this unique session, he literally got his flight back home. Neither of us knew that what we were experiencing was our last surf session prior to Covid-19 lockdown.
I get back home in Melbourne City, and decided to develop my films. When I got all this footage back to me, the lock down was officially stablished.
I had a look on the footage, and I felt that the meaning of these photos had totally changed. I just said to myself "There is a part of us in these photos that didn't know what was about to happen”, "And if we knew, would it have been different?"

Hey mate!, What would you have done differently, if you had known that this was one of your last surf sessions prior to the lock down?

Parker:
Oh man! If i knew it was going to be one of my last surf sessions, I would have surfed until dusk and then sprinted back up to Little Sister to have as many Melbourne Bitters as I could handle, hopefully accompanied by Nico haha.  I would have shared more waves, gotten up earlier and stayed out later. There was no COVID-19, there was no pressure, no expectations, no grip on society, and not a thought in my mind that it would all change so quick..
It was my first time in Noosa and pretty much convinced it was heaven on earth...Everything was a quick walk up or down a hill either from the house to the points or from the points to the bar, everything was right there, it kind of seemed like the center of the universe hahah. 
And coming from The east coast (of the United States) I don’t get to surf many sand bottom points, or any form of point for that matter. So when it’s 1 foot but breaking for 100 yards it’s pretty novel.
Lo and behold Nicolas wades up to me in the clear Noosa waters and says something like “hey man I would love to shoot some film of you for this film I’m making!”. I happily accepted and we chatted for a bit.
Little did either of us know the direction Covid-19 would govern our thoughts and actions for the months to follow. Even changing the direction of this project I’m sure. And little did I know that one of the worst sessions we had there was actually the most memorable for me.
One thing I was very enthusiastic about the months leading up to and after this trip was becoming more familiar with and taking as many shots on my Canon T50, which the rolls are still undeveloped collecting dust in my room. So one day I can take a step back and look at these photos knowing damn well how good we had it. It will be interesting to see what I captured before Covid as opposed to after. I would bet that there’s a lot more photos taken afterwards... and they most likely capture an essence of change.

I’m no scientist or politician but I think there will be long lasting implications due to Covid-19; a renaissance? A revolution? 

All is possible but I don’t think there's a snowballs chance in hell it will stop the surf nomads like Nicolas and myself from finding their way around again.