Liam Robinson
3/5/21
Between TJ Mooney’s intense focus and the large speakers shaking his desk there was little room for conversation as he noted where to make alterations on his timeline.
“He’s like a machine” said Nicky Russo, one of Mooney’s close friends. “I never get tired of it.” Mooney replied. Nicky and TJ have been performing music together since high school.
“Making time specifically to work on music is hard when the economy is “gig-based,” Mooney said, referring to an already infrequent demand for new songs now further hampered by COVID.
“I had to go back to a day/night work shift cycle to keep my car on the road,” he said.
Mooney is a residential care aid at two separate housing facilities, taking care of young adults with special education and home needs.
Between the long hours and school TJ is pushing to set up a “music module” for the kids, or maybe bring some simple mixing equipment to the homes he works at.
“I know these kids love the activities more than schoolwork, and im going to school for production,” he said. Wanting to motivate the students in any way he can, Mooney thinks making the arts accessible to anyone as early as possible is a major benefit in life.
The pandemic has set up roadblocks, not just for these children but their guardians too, as Mooney must focus on protocol and proper procedure rather than encouraging his students right now.
Commenti