Did you know that musicians are 10 times more likely to suffer mental health issues?
Did you know that 70% of musicians say that they have suffered from anxiety or depression?
The following excerpts from an internet article lay bare the traps of the music industry:
“When I was in One Direction,my anxiety issues were huge, but within the safety net of the band, they were at least manageable,” he said. “As a solo performer, I felt much more exposed, and the psychological stress of performing had just got to be too much for me to handle – at that moment, at least.”
Even just the act of trying to break into the industry can be so stressful that it can have a massive impact on an artist’s health. Today, Nicki Minaj is regarded as one of the best rappers around, but in 2011, she recalled to Cosmopolitan how she had suffered from suicidal thoughts after being turned away time and time again.
“I kept having doors slammed in my face,” she said. “I felt like nothing was working. I had moved out on my own, and here I was thinking I’d have to go home. It was just one dead end after another. At one point, I was like, ‘What would happen if I just didn’t wake up?’ That’s how I felt.”
These sentiments are all too common in an industry that chews up and spits out most of what comes its way. Only the very lucky ones make it to the top, and the rest of us are left trying to make a living, or trying to enjoy a part-time career while paying the bills some other, more reliable, way.
Beyond Blue is an Australian organisation that aims to raise awareness of the very real presence of depression and anxiety, not just in the music industry, but in all walks of life.
Friday 22nd March at Bulimba Golf Club, my client Body and Soul Australia Music and Events is hosting a concert to help fund-raise for Beyond Blue.
Feature artists include legendary Aussie blues and rock guitarist, Tim Gaze, the uber-talented technician, Sean Mullen, playing a preview of his Satriani Tribute Show, and sassy vocalist, Sandra Beynon.
Doors open 5.30pm and show starts at 8pm.
To guarantee a table, please order online via Humanitix. Tickets will also be available at the door.
