Metal Inside(r) Home Quarantine is Metal Insider’s new column during this time of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked artists five questions on what’s been keeping them busy ranging from their favorite movies, food they’ve been eating, music they’ve been listening to and more. We caught up with Dan Emery of Thetan and Black Matter Mastering as he’s been spending this time staying busy with work.

What have you been doing to pass time during Quarantine?

I try to stay busy with work when I can. The mastering studio has slowed significantly, which I expected to happen. The label has projects that are either backlogged or in the early stages of production, those can always keep me busy. Aside from that I mostly just hang out with my kid. He’s 8, and is getting into skateboarding and learning guitar and bass, so there is never a shortage of things to do with him.

Have you been listening to any music or have any playlists worth checking out?

I keep it pretty mixed up and eclectic. A few records in the stack next to my turntable right now are Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt, The Dwarves ‘Take Back The Night’, Civil Disobedience’s 7”, Assembly Of God’s 7” and various Richard Pryor albums.

A lot of people have been spending this time cooking including making their own bread, what food have you been prepping during this time?

I am admittedly a horrible cook. I think I just drop the ball when planning out meals in advance. I’m fantastic at improvising with random things around the house though. I can hook it up with the extra toppings on a frozen pizza. I have also explored new ways to cook ramen noodles. Did you know that if you cook it in a small frying pan with half a cup of water and some butter, it is legitimately some gourmet shit! Try it.

In terms of entertainment, what movies, TV shows, books, or games have been keeping you busy?

Living in a house with a child means most of the entertainment here is based around child friendliness until after bedtime. Lately we’ve been going through all the classic movies from my wife and my childhood. Sandlot, The Goonies, that type of stuff. Major Payne is always in heavy rotation. I’ve been reading a lot of different sciencey stuff, like acoustic principals and brushing up on all the publishing stuff that is an endless battle to retain. Earlier this week I built a binaural microphone. One of the ones that has condenser elements in the ears of a dummy head, and records depth and localization. My son also has a bunch of science project kits. We do stuff like that to keep busy.

What advice do you have for your fans in isolation during this time?

All I can suggest, is through all that is going on, try to find some way to come out of this a better person. Whether that’s by trying to learn new things, reevaluating what you are doing with your life, or even taking advantage of this momentary pause from business as usual, and making a concerted effort to redirect your work focus to something that makes you happier. Things are tough for all of us. Some more than others. But I truly think that this can be a much needed time to reflect and grow, if we choose to perceive it that way.