Life in Lockdown #50: Pretty Pink

When the coronavirus shut us down, clubs and festivals ceased, and everyone was essentially forced inside with no definitive end in sight, DJ Times wondered: How is our tribe coping? How are DJs getting by? So, we sent out our “Coronavirus Questionnaire” to DJ/producers from all musical genres to find out.

During the crisis, DJ Times will be presenting the questionnaire responses from talented music-makers from all over the world. Here’s our latest installment, this time from Deutchland, the Leipzig-based deep/tech-house talent Pretty Pink (aka Anne Karolczak).

Pretty Pink, Armada Deep/Wanderlust/Found Frequencies, Leipzig, Germany

What’s it like where you are? Just like many other countries in Europe, Germany is preparing itself for a new normality. This includes keeping distance, following rules of hygiene and – where space is tight – wearing masks. We are fortunate to have a very well-prepared health system and research, as well as being well-connected in the European Union, so we have so far been able to deal well with the consequences. However, the restrictions for everyone are substantial and have a lasting effect on all areas of life, including the music business and nightlife. We still have the possibility to move freely within the country, but many shops, venues, clubs, places of culture, etc., are closed. On the other hand, of course, we are advised to have so little contact with others. I currently spend a lot of time outside with my dog, do a lot of sports, work in the studio and in my label office to keep everything going. However, I really miss the nights in the club behind the decks and seeing friends and relatives.

What income-producing work have you lost? This is a really intense experience for me. I put my USA tour on hold this year. Also, important gigs like Tomorrowland and other foreign and national gigs and festivals are all cancelled. And as everyone knows, this takes up a great chunk of an artist’s income… as it is in my case. However, I’m quite self-sufficient. I don’t have a lot of fixed costs and therefore I don’t have too many problems with the hard cut. Nevertheless, it is not easy and you first have to be able to handle it.

Are you doing anything now that can or will produce music-related income? I already had my own music label before, which I am now expanding even further to generate income in the long run. In addition, there are always inquiries from industrial companies who have become aware of my live streams and radio show.

What are you doing now that’s ultimately constructive to your music life/career? A regular daily routine is particularly important for me. Getting up early in the morning, work out, then a 9-to-5 in the office of the label and, in the evening, to the studio. I get a lot of energy from my live streams on Twitch and the feedback from the community. The energy that you normally get back as a DJ in a club I now get at least partly through the social-media channels. I am very happy to have such engaged fans and followers who support me. I also do many creative parts myself. I create cover artwork and designs for the label and have so many possibilities to let my creativity run free. This is very important for me.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing? Before the crisis, I played every weekend and more, spent a lot of time in the plane and was practically on the road from at least Friday to Sunday. Now I have this time and I am happy to enjoy and reflect nature outside, to set new goals and plan projects. And once again, I noticed how important the solidarity between the people in your immediate environment is.

What are you going online? Have you seen anything that’s impressed you? Before the pandemic, I was already streaming on YouTube, now I have added weekly live streams on Twitch. And these sessions are just wonderful, because they replace at least a little bit the weekends and let me be in direct exchange with the fans. Nothing connects us so much in a positive sense like music.

Any theme tunes recommended for the moment? Here are some classics: Salt N Pepa’s “Push It,” Inner City’s “Good Life,” and Roland and Underground Resistance’s “Jaguar.”

Any advice on staying sane & relatively positive through this situation? You should really do sports. The effect of sport on the body and mind is so positive and lasting that I can only recommend it to everyone. Even if you have to stay within your own walls, there are countless ways to stay fit and get a balance to all the madness. All we have to do now is hold on, take special care of the elderly and vulnerable people and make the best out of the situation. And those who can afford it should donate a little to support their favorite club or even their beloved restaurant around the corner. Solidarity is now the key to our future.

To check out more Life in Lockdown interviews, click here.