We are all in this together. When times get tough, Tucsonans come together and help one another. That is what makes this big city with a small-town feel such a great place to live.
This weekly series shares what life is like for your fellow community members while sheltering in place.
When a pandemic gives you lemons ...
In times like these, art is an excellent way to escape or express what we are all feeling.
Through teamwork and unwavering spirit, Eric Underwood and his band were able to overcome all odds and release a survival song during a pandemic. βLast Danceβ is a song that is catchy and yet so current, all generations can enjoy it.
It was March 14, 2020, and Underwood went downtown to enjoy an evening at Playground, a local downtown bar. He didnβt know that it would be his last hoorah for months, but the following morning the entire city was under a stay-at-home order. That ended up being the event that inspired this piece of art, regardless of the hurdles in place.
The lyrics of the song mimicked the panic seen in our community.
It puts words and rhythm to chaos in a way that everyone can admire; a song that challenges the human spirit and the will to survive.
βThere are many different sides to this apocalyptic satire, but at its core is a beautiful love song,β Underwood said.
Once the song was written, it was a matter of getting it out there.
Originally the Eric Underwood Band had a show booked at The Boxyard on Historic Fourth Avenue, anxiously awaiting the inevitable postponement notice, the band decided to record their music from their homes. While recording and mixing all their parts separately, they filmed the production to create a βZoomβ-style music video. This is a trend weβve seen by many of our favorite bands lately, so putting it to action in their own way would prove to be a challenge they enthusiastically accepted as a band.
βWhen the pandemic gave us lemons, my band and I made the sweetest lemonade,β Underwood said.
With the community still in chaos, their current show at Monterey Court on Miracle Mile has been postponed twice.
At the moment there is no date chosen for their next gig, a circumstance that local restaurants and bars are battling as well. However, if you wish to show support for this local band, the song is available on all streaming sites and the video can be found on YouTube at tucne.ws/lastdance.
Give it a listen, this will not be the last dance for Eric Underwoodβs music.
β Tanya Fina Case
The gift of art
During the virus, I have been honing my skills in drawing. I have done about 40 pieces. I have matted and framed them and have given them to friends free of charge.
A sample of Edward Jonesβ art.
A sample of Edward Jonesβ art.
A sample of Edward Jonesβ art.
β Edward Jones
