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The Juno Awards this Sunday will put all eyes and ears on the successes of Canadian musicians, but some artists are using this week to talk about an issue gaining traction in the music industry: mental health.
After a first-of-its-kind study highlighted serious and endemic mental health challenges facing people in the industry, three London musicians say they understand the struggle and have worked out ways to deal with them.
While musicians get to follow their dream, they also often face isolation, financial instability and huge struggles with self-worth. That also comes with harsh judgement and criticism of their work.
CBC London spoke with three working musicians who each say they’re grateful the issue is getting some much-needed attention. They also shared some of they ways they’ve learned to cope with the unique pressures that come with the musician’s life.
Leanne Mayer: Help not always easy to find
Solo musician and choir director Leanne Mayer said self-employed musicians often don’t have the same access to professional help as people with 9 to 5 jobs. (Chris Jenkins)
Leanne Mayer is a solo musician and choir director. For the past four years, she’s been directing the Shout Sister Choir.
Mayer said musicians may be surrounded by a supportive audience on stage, but getting there often first means spending a lot of time alone, which can take a toll.
“There can be a lot of isolation when you’re self-employed, working different hours,” she said. “Sometimes your family and friends suffer from that, you’re not always available in the evenings when the fun stuff is going on with them.”
Another challenge Mayer flags, one identified in the Soundcheck report, is that musicians don’t always have an easy or affordable route to getting professional help with their mental health.
“Counselling can be very expensive and typically musicians don’t have benefits,” she said. “So if they want counselling, they’re paying out of pocket which can be very difficult. It can be $100 an hour. If you’re a single musician, that can be a real challenge.”
Mayer said she’s learned to lean heavily on the camaraderie of other musicians, who often understand because they share the same struggles.
“Everybody I’ve ever met in the music community has been so warm and welcoming,” Mayer said. “There’s a sense of kinship because you’re a musician. You really feel that you’re part of something special, especially in the London music community.”
Sarah Smith: When the party stops being fun
Roots rock singer Sarah Smith admits she got too caught up in the partying that often comes with a life in the music business and had to find ways to pull back. (Kevin Vyse)
London-born singer songwriter Sarah Smith has spent more than 25 years in the music industry.
At times music has served as her therapy, but the musician’s road hasn’t always been an easy path for her.
“I’ve had mountains and I’ve had valleys in my mental health state,” she said.
Smith admits to at times finding herself stuck in the “hamster wheel” of constant playing, performing and partying.
One night, on stage at London’s Aeolian Hall, she felt the hard partying had caught up with her and that the audience maybe knew it.
“I felt like they could see right into my soul,” she said. “I felt like I was a fraud, that what I was putting out there was not what I was living. That helped me see the light.”
Shortly after, Smith was able to pull back from the hard-living life while continuing to record and perform.
“I had help,” she said. “I dove into recovery and found a new way to live. I think people are waking up now and realizing the hard work it takes to maintain this career.”
Justin Maki: Learning to lean on therapy
St. Thomas musician Justin Maki says regular visits with a therapist is something he sees as an investment in his own well-being. (Submitted)
St. Thomas, Ont., singer-songwriter Justin Maki became a fulltime musician five years ago when the pandemic put an end to his job selling cars. He’s toured across Canada and the United States. He also teaches vocals, guitar and songwriting.
Maki said he’s learned to become resilient while following a career path that brings plenty of ups and downs.
“You have to be flexible and nimble and multi-faceted in this industry. You have to get comfortable with not knowing what’s coming around the corner.”- Musician Justin Maki
Traversing some of the valleys pushed him into what he calls “quite a serious period of anxiety and depression.”
“There was a period where I definitely went through some grief and some big mental health struggles,” he said. “But I worked through it and got the help that I needed.”
Maki continues to have regular visits with his therapist. It’s not always easy for musicians to access professional help, but he’s found it’s worth the expense.
“It’s really a good way to keep things in perspective and keep things intact. I see it as an investment in my future,” he said. “Just to be in a better mental state overall, then I’ll be able to navigate business and music situations better.”
He also recommends musicians make it a priority to stay in regular contact with others working to may their way in what can be an unforgiving industry.
“We spend a lot of time alone in our rooms practicing, tweaking mixes sending emails,” he said. “But I think it’s also important to get out there and find a community of like-minded musicians and creatives. Just know that you’re not alone.”