Sound Check - April
Welcome to the latest edition of Sound Check, our bi-monthly check-in on all things mental health in music!
This issue delves into the unexpected curveballs that the industry can throw at you, from challenges faced by artist managers like Isaac Lewis, who shares his story in Inside The Mind Of, to unexpected career twists and the importance of self-belief by music journalist, Sosefina Fuamoli.
We also have a brand new mental health resource dealing with suicide, including tips for responding to a friend in need, as well as a range of useful tools, book recommendations and resources.
Thank you for your ongoing support and if you have any feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out.?
Clive Miller
CEO
INSIDE THE MIND OF...
“Becoming an artist manager isn’t so much a conscious decision as it is a hand dealt to you. Emails, admin tasks and spreadsheets are to be expected, but delving into the artist's emotions, creativity and mental health might catch you off guard.”
Isaac Lewis, artist manager at Ripple Effect, shares his journey so far within the music industry, exploring how the job involves a deep rooted connection with artists, rather than just a transactional relationship.
“The role of an artist manager can be incredibly selfless, constantly focused on the artist's career and doing whatever it takes to keep them moving forward.”
Although the challenges of being an artist manager can be intense, Isaac highlights that the hard work does pay off, and with that brings a huge sense of fulfilment and pride.?
FACING THE UNEXPECTED AS A MUSIC JOURNALIST
It’s not just artists and managers who experience curveballs in the industry, music journalists also witness these challenges in their careers, as award-winning journalist Sosefina Fuamoli explains.?
“For me, dealing with curveballs and unexpected roadblocks is something I’ve had to face a number of times over the years. During my 20s, I didn’t realise that these challenges were ones I didn’t necessarily need to be coming up against.”
Sosefina explains how she built boundaries in her career and created her work on a strong foundation of self-belief, which ultimately led to the increase of great opportunities.?
“Discovering the power in saying no though, and believing in the quality of your work; the importance of your voice as a creative, is such a weapon that I am so glad to have in my arsenal.”
SUPPORT ACT GUIDE TO SUICIDE
Suicide is a confronting and diffcult topic that some of us have experienced in our lives, whether it be a close loved one, a friend of a friend or an artist you’ve followed, it’s not an easy thing to wrap your head around.?
We’ve put together a brand new resource that will help guide you through different aspects of suicide and it also provides helpful resources such as toolkits, hotlines and book recommendations to guide you through the process.?
Check out this new mental health resource below and remember, if you’d like to chat with an experienced counsellor about anything on your mind, please don’t hesitate to call the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline on 1800 959 500.
NEWS
Yarning Strong x Sound Minds
Last week the South Australian music community was treated to a lovely evening of yarns, networking and music with a Yarning Strong x Sound Minds session in Kaurna/Adelaide.
Host and Barkindji Woman Nancy Bates was joined by J-MILLA, Marlon Motlop and Tilly Tjala Thomas for a discussion about their journeys in the music industry, which was followed by a wonderful performance by country muso Scott Rathman Jr. Watch out for our next Yarning Strong event to be announced soon!
Proudly supported by the South Australian Government as part of the See it LIVE music Package. Thanks to Music SA & JB HI-FI for their ongoing support.
领英推荐
One Night Stand
Triple J’s One Night Stand is back this year and it’s going to be raising critical funds for Support Act! These funds will allow us to continue supporting the industry we love through crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing support.
Make sure to pitch your regional town now and keep your eyes peeled for more exciting announcements soon!?
EVENTS
Sound Minds Eora/Sydney
Join us this coming Tuesday 23 April from 6:30PM at The Lady Hampshire, Camperdown for Sound Minds Eora/Sydney! We’ll be jumping into the UNEXPECTED, with 1/2 of electronic duo Vallis Alps, Parissa Tosif and the wonderful Natalie Gauci for a fireside chat and live Q&A with Support Act In-House Psychologist, Ash King. Both Parissa and Natalie will be performing some original songs on the night, so don't miss out on your chance to see them live!
Register for free here.?
Mental Health First Aid & First Nations Mental Health First Aid
Register now for our upcoming online Mental Health First Aid session happening on Friday 17 May, 10am-4pm (AEST) provided in partnership with EventCare. Register now here.
You can also register for our in-person First Nations Mental Health First Aid session happening in Kaurna/Adelaide on Tuesday 28 May, 10am-4pm at The Gov, Hindmarsh provided in partnership with Deon Bird Training.
Register now here.?
These nationally accredited training sessions will teach you how to effectively recognise and respond to mental health issues and will provide an in-depth understanding of common and often debilitating mental health issues.
First Nations Mental Health First Aid is proudly supported by the South Australian Government as part of the See it LIVE music Package. Thanks to Music SA & JB HI-FI for their ongoing support of the First Nations Mental Health First Aid program.
WHY MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline provides support to anyone who works in the Australian creative industries and connects you to experienced counsellors during the tricky times.?
As well as mental health support, the Helpline can guide you through financial and legal issues, relationship issues, family violence, sexual harassment and addiction problems.
We’d like to share with you a testimonial from someone who received support via the Wellbeing Helpline.?
“The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline provided access to assistance at a critical time and has helped me refocus my creative practice and supported a valuable and ongoing healing journey. This is an amazing resource that I am quick to recommend to others that work in music”
Read more about the Wellbeing Helpline here.
TOOLS & TIPS
Looking to learn more about wellbeing?
Support Act’s Mental Health Resources, specifically curated for those who work in music, is the perfect place to start!
With tips on how to tackle common mental health issues, free mental health resources, video series featuring some of your favourite artists and past mental health events, this is a great place to explore and support yourself through not so easy times.?