Hold on: artists inspire from coronavirus hibernation

Review’s Isolation Room video series sees some of the nation’s best musicians and artistic performers sharing their talents while socially distancing at home.

Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier, with daughters Alma and Hettie Zygier, at their Melbourne home. Picture: David Geraghty

When singer-songwriter Deborah Conway and her family were considering a cover song to record from their suburban Melbourne home this week, the choice was clear: Hold On, a track entirely apt for a national mood where the only certainty is uncertainty.

“It’s a family favourite — it was in the air, and the perfect lyric for the times,” said Conway of the 2012 single by American blues-rock group Alabama Shakes, whose impassioned chorus has a simple message: you’ve got to hold on.

On Wednesday, while flanked by her husband and musical partner Willy Zygier on lead guitar — and two of their daughters, Alma and Hettie Zygier, on guitar and bass, respectively — Conway belted it out and meant every word.

Footage from the quartet’s raw performance marks the beginning of Review’s Isolation Room, a new video series co-ordinated by The Weekend Australian’s arts liftout.

On Thursday, Melbourne singer-songwriter Missy Higgins sat at her home piano to record a stirring cover of Let It Be by The Beatles while wearing a bright pink wig and a sparkling gold top.

“I’m doing whatever I can to stay sane while remaining indoors at the moment — including raiding my kids’ dress-up box,” Higgins said. “I hope this brings a little joy to your day. Sending love to you all out there.”

The series will continue next week with some of the nation’s best musicians and ­artistic performers sharing their talents and insights about how they are spending their time at home while socially distancing.

Missy Higgins.

In the weeks ahead, You Am I frontman Tim Rogers will don a cowboy hat and share an unreleased track; country singer-songwriter Felicity Urquhart will take a break from homeschooling her daughters to play a song about the joys of weekend routines; and John Williamson will perform one of his most popular works while flanked by his bushy property in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Novelist Tom Keneally will read works by one of his favourite writers; a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra percussionist will show how he’s continuing to practise despite the lack of gigs; and a pair of married principal dancers at the Australian Ballet will demonstrate their home exercise routines.

For Conway and Zygier, the ­nation’s sudden move indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19 hasn’t yet had a dramatic effect.

“You know what it might do?” said Zygier of the social isolation. “It might inspire people to pick up an instrument. There’s only one chord in that song, and if you can figure out how to play a C chord on your instrument of choice, you too can Hold On.”