Wall of Sound presents: “2020 YEAR IN REVIEW” – by Drown This City’s Josh Renjen
Drown this City had some big plans to tour their latest EP throughout 2020 but we call know how that worked out… instead, they’ve been using their time to work on new material which we should see next year!
Who knows, some of you may even include that future music on your Top Releases of 2021 Lists at this time next year! Until then we asked guitarist Josh Renjen to tell us about his year, life in Melbourne lockdown and the music that helped him get through it all…
TOP 5 RELEASES OF 2020?
5: Higher Power – 27 Miles Underwater
4: Gulch – Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress
3: Chamber – Cost of Sacrifice
2: Orthodox – Let It Take Its Course
1: Loathe – I let It In and It Took Everything
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2020?
5: END – ‘Pariah’
4: Volumes – ‘Pixelate’
3: Plini – ‘Papelillo’
2: Orthodox – ‘Why Are You Here?’
1: Loathe – ‘Screaming’
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2020?
Code Orange – ‘Swallowing The Rabbit Whole’
LAST GIG YOU PLAYED BEFORE COVID?
The last show we played was in Melbourne just over 12 months ago now, as part of a co-headline tour with The Comfort in November ’19. We knew these were going to be our last appearances before taking some time away to record, but I definitely didn’t anticipate it would be this long between shows.
HOW DID COVID AFFECT YOU/YOUR BAND?
As a band, despite the fact that we weren’t able to play shows or be in the same room as one another for majority of the year, we’ve taken the time to perfect our next offering and complete as much as possible that goes along with a new release. There have definitely been delays in terms of recording sessions and release schedules, but we’ve taken it in our stride and made the most of what we’ve been able to achieve in the current circumstances.
Personally, COVID and Melbourne lockdown has meant working from home for the last 4-5 months and dealing with the challenges that that has brought with it – it hasn’t always been easy in terms of motivation and mental stability, but I’m grateful to still have work and be able to adapt to a different working environment. Plus playing riffs during lunch break is sick.
BIGGEST THING YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF IN 2020?
I think the biggest thing that I learnt about myself this year was just how set into a particular lifestyle I was and how much it would affect me not being able to catch up with mates, play or attend shows, or even just have the freedom to leave the house. It sort of turned everything upside down, and I had to figure out that to stay on top of my wellbeing I needed to look after myself more whether it be by exercising, eating healthier, or taking some time away from social media – I practically took apart the pieces of my being and put it all back together again, and found new ways to motivate myself to get through each day.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?
I’m definitely looking forward to a return of that sense of normality in the new year, getting back to being on stage and hopefully being able to leave the state or country to tour/travel. We’ve been pretty quiet for the majority of this year in preparation, so it’s going to be hella exciting being able to show everyone what we’ve been up to in the meantime.
Words by Josh Renjen. Insta: @joshrenjen__
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