Sound Check - October
Welcome back to Sound Check!?
In this edition we explore the importance of community and connection when working in a dynamic industry.?
We go Inside the Mind of musician Maggie Rigby as she shares how having a tight network of supporters helps her get through her chaotic workload, we also chat with singer songwriter Nikita Karmen about her experience with collaboration and having authentic partnerships throughout her career.?
Also make sure to check out the latest news and upcoming events happening at Support Act!?
Best wishes,
Clive Miller
CEO
Inside the Mind of Maggie Rigby
“A few weeks ago, I pulled out of a shift at my casual bartending job because I was too tired. I felt all the guilt and shame that I always feel when I cancel anything that doesn’t have a positive covid test to back it up.”
Musician Maggie Rigby shares her recent experience in juggling her dynamic lifestyle, and how she was driven to burnout. Maggie was physically and mentally drained, but needed to persist for a big week ahead of band admin, gigs and casual bartending shifts.?
“My band are getting ready to release new music at the moment. We are working on all the behind-the-scenes, strategic part of being self-managed artists. This means working what would ideally be a full-time job for no pay and fitting paid work into all the available gaps.”
In this piece, Maggie opens up about how being connected to a community that supports and guides you through a demanding lifestyle, can make everything feel not so bad after-all.
Connection and collaboration – Nikita Karmen?
“When I moved to Nashville at 25 years old, I really got thrown into the music community there. I was suddenly a little fish in a VERY big pond, and as intimidating as it was being in writing rooms with people who’s experience I felt eclipsed my own there was also this weird feeling of camaraderie?”
Singer songwriter Nikita Karmen chatted with us about connectedness and collaboration throughout her career, and how important it is to have authentic partnerships that allow you to explore creativity and help you have fun making music.
“…I think that collaborative experience really inspired me to trust my own voice again, to not be afraid to cross genre bounds.”?
Take a deep dive into Nikita’s story to also find out about feelings of isolation in the industry, as well as ways that she met people along her musical journey.
Support Act Guide to Sleep
With some of us facing the challenges of making the annual adjustment to daylight savings, our sleep schedules may be a little out of whack.
Many people who work in music and performing arts can also tend to experience inconsistent sleep patterns for various reasons such as late night shows, jet lag and stress.
Does this sound like you? Check out our guide to sleep that provides useful tips and tricks for getting a good night's sleep, as well as book, podcast and app recommendations to help you get sleep on track.
News
Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey
Thank you to those who completed our Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and the Creative Industries 2024 survey.
1,518 workers across music and the broader creative industries participated and detailed the challenges they face even in a largely COVID-recovered working environment.
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According to this research, it remains challenging for many creative workers to make a liveable income from their creative work.
Check out the results here.?
SafeWork NSW resources
For Mental Health Month, SafeWork NSW have shared some useful resources for employers to use, to help ensure that their workplace is working towards a psychologically safe and healthy workplace for your employees.?
Celebrate Mental Health Month by starting ongoing discussions with your workers about how your business could be mentally healthier.?
You can find the resources here.
Creative Workplace Webinar
Join Creative Workplaces for their next monthly webinar: Understanding psychosocial safety within the arts and culture sector, happening on Monday October 28.?
SafeWork SA’s Chief Advisor Psychosocial Jason Mavrikis will explain the laws, and together with Creative Workplaces Council Member Tina Lavranos, they’ll bust some myths about managing psychosocial hazards while still making brilliant art.
Register for free now here.
Events?
Wellbeing Check-In’s?
Are you a manager or team leader? Join us on Tuesday 29 October, we’ll be running a free and online Managers Wellbeing Check-in session from 10:00am–11:30am (AEDT). We’ll explore the mental health and wellbeing issues that impact music workers and discuss how to foster a mentally healthy workplace.
Secure your spot now here.
We also have a free and online Music Workers Wellbeing Check-In happening on Thursday 31 October from 10:00am–11:30am (AEDT). If you’re a musician, composer, producer, crew member or sole trader, come along to learn more about how you can support yourself and others during times of elevated levels of stress and anxiety and the demands of your work.
Secure your spot now here.?
Responding with Compassion
Our next Responding with Compassion workshop is coming up on Friday 8 November from 10am-1pm (AEDT). Run in association with Full Stop Australia, this three-hour online workshop designed to assist those who may receive disclosures of trauma in the music industry and we encourage artist managers, HR managers, People and Culture Managers and those in positions of leadership to attend.
Register now here.
Leading with Empathy
Join us for our upcoming free and online Leading with Empathy session happening on Wednesday 13 November from 1:30pm–3pm (AEDT). This 90-min workshop designed to help you explore how empathy and active listening skills can help create more supportive, open and compassionate workplace relationships across the music industry.
Secure your spot here.?
Why Mental Health Matters?
Our Music Worker Wellbeing Check-In’s are designed to provide a safe space for music workers to acknowledge the unique challenges of working in music, and the effects it can have on mental health.
If you’re experiencing elevated levels of stress and anxiety, and find it difficult to manage your own wellbeing alongside the demands of your work, join us at one of our upcoming session where you can learn more about how you can support yourself and others during those difficult times
Here’s a testimonial from someone who has recently attended one of our sessions:
“A good reminder to check in about your mental health and where you are in life”
Check out our upcoming events now here.
Owner/Manager at AJ EVENTS MANAGEMENT
4 个月As a Stage / Production / Event manager, sole trader, l know many throughout the industry ( mostly crew, sound, lighting, stage etc) who have experienced hardship for various reasons. It could be financially, medically or otherwise.. I admire things like support act for the support sometimes lonely road crew or gig staff have acknowledgment & a help avenue… My concern is the awareness of you & other support networks l don’t think is widely known.. Hard task l know but somehow the word really needs to get out there more, also maybe a specific small union / advocacy for crews & music & event staff to go to if their being ripped off or bullied by bands, band managers or fellow crew members.. As a ex union delegate in a different industry l know how advocating for a member & speaking with offenders a solution & change of behaviours can often be negotiated….. The more members ( even at minimal contributions) the more powerful you become, no band, band manager or equivalent position wants to be black banned from getting say a FOH tech, lighting tech, general set-up, pack-down crew etc…????