Hello, all.
This post is to announce that I’ve made a difficult decision, and that is to discontinue singing.
It’s been several years since I publically sang on a regular basis. There’s a reason for that. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, “Well, yeah, COVID.” You’re correct, but it’s deeper than that.
I contracted COVID-19 in January of 2021. After a fortnight of flu-like symptoms, varying severities in chills, and a temporary loss of sense of smell, I found that the severe coughing, extreme exhaustion, and body aches decided to linger for about 6 months after. At that point, I began practicing again.
After practicing, getting my barrings back and my technique to where it should be, I noticed my range shrunk. Figuring I could work with it, I tried singing during a charity benefit and recording for a duet project. After recording, I noticed I sounded different. Not only had my range suffered, but the quality of my voice was adversely affected. Nothing I could do in re-record and edits could restore what I once had. Then I thought about the charity event I played and I felt mortified.
COVID-19 didn’t just take two weeks and six months from me. It also took the majority of my singing voice.
I will continue to tinker and hope for some recovery, but until then, my singing days are over.
I will continue practicing and playing ocarina, and I might get to write music again! Voice overs will have to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Keep an eye out here as well as on my YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/@linkvaliant, and on TikTok, https://tiktok.com/@taizen.linkvaliant. I will also continue streaming on Twitch at https://twitch.tv/taizenorg.
I appreciate your understanding and support.