Whether it’s that scene from the James Cameron movie, or something you saw once in a documentary, the story of the RMS Titanic’s orchestra playing on even as the ship sank has become the stuff of legend. And since right about now the Coronavirus pandemic has us all feeling like we’re on a slowly sinking ship, it’s only fitting that someone out there made the analogy to the Titanic’s ever dutiful band. Luckily, those who did actually were talented musicians themselves.
A pair of violinists named Bonnie von Duyke and Emer Kinsella went to the toilet paper aisle in their local grocery store, which is empty due to hoarding customers, and played as if the ship struck a huge iceberg and was sinking. Only this time, the ship is Earth, and the iceberg is COVID-19. The video was filmed by Kristen Brancaccio, who posted on Twitter. You can watch their “ode to RMS Toilet Paper,” also known as “I’ll never let go,” up above.
Violinist Bonnie von Duyke has her own YouTube channel filled with several amazing videos, many which are tributes to our favorite TV series and films. There’s musical tributes to Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Sherlock, and The Walking Dead. Although we hate to say it, that last one sure seems especially timely as well.
While done in part to make us laugh in scary times, von Duyke posted the video with another message mind too. She stated in the video’s description that “many musicians and freelancers are losing work at this time. Concerts and events are being cancelled right and left. Being a freelance artist myself, I’m not giving up and I want viewers to be aware of my services during this social distancing time.”
You can contact Bonnie von Duyke by sending her a direct message. And if you’re in a position to help, please keep other freelancers in mind, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet during these trying times.
Featured Image: Paramount / Twentieth Century Fox
