Empty concert halls serve as haunting reminders of COVID-19’s wide-reaching effects as recording artists face an uncertain future. Experts predict that venues may not open again until fall 2021. Read more...

Photo: Concert venues are closed and Los Angeles-based musicians have few things left to do but livestream performances for their own fans. To combat the circumstances, many artists are finding new ways to collaborate remotely and produce music themselves. (Jintak Han/Daily Bruin senior staff)

Though the world may be on pause, musicians play on. In a world in isolation, UCLA musicians – students and alumni alike – continue to hone their craft. Read more...

Photo: UCLA students and alumni have been branching out into new areas of music and honing their skills in order to express themselves and their thoughts during quarantine. (Naveed Pour/Daily Bruin)

Akshay Anand’s acoustic, romantic musical style has some of his friends referring to him as the “Indian Ed Sheeran.” The third-year molecular, cell and developmental biology student said he attributes the comparison to the fingerpicking and slow tempos in each of his original songs, creating a tone similar to Sheeran’s first album “+.” Anand said after years of partially completing tracks, he discovered the most effective method for his writing was to fully invest himself by penning lyrics and instrumentals in a single sitting. Read more...

Photo: Akshay Anand, a third-year molecular, cell and developmental biology student, said he discovered the only way he can write songs is if he does it all in one sitting. After breaking off his first serious romantic relationship, he said he stayed up until 3 a.m. starting and finishing his first original song. (Kanishka Mehra/Assistant Photo editor)