Some of the best songs ever written are inspired by sadness, heart break and hard luck. Taylor Swift, Joni Mitchel, Adele, and Bruce Springsteen have all spoken out about anxiety, and depression, and how making music helps them deal with these issues. Scientific research proves that music lifts our mood, increases dopamine and is a reliable way to deal with the stresses from everyday life. So, part of our responsibility as creators of this societal balm is to look after our own mental health. But this is a real challenge, especially as we navigate the heady highs and devastating lows of a life in music.
In this month’s Session Notes blog, ‘The Ups and The Downs’, Pro7ect Songwriting Retreats founder and songwriter Lisa Fitzgibbon takes a closer look at the roller-coaster ride of being an artist, sharing her own experiences, and offering some mental wellbeing advise to her fellow creatives.
I know very well how writing a song about pain and heartbreak can help process personal problems. I also know the unique healing power that listening to a great song can have. When I listen to Joni Mitchel’s ‘Both Sides Now’ or Ani DiFranco’s ‘I am Not a Pretty Girl’, I feel connected to a collective consciousness of experience that helps me feel less alone in my lowered state.
I used to believe that I couldn’t possibly write a happy song. That I needed the tempest of ‘The Down’ to inspire me to create my musical babies. I would drill right into the ugly recesses of my grief, allowing the words and the music to escape these dirty depths, to reveal and release the anguish. I carry these songs with me always, torturously re-living the emotions, moulding them internally whilst I go about the humdrum of life. They haunt me still, and hold me like a lover’s distraction, following me everywhere I go.
Today the pressures of life are amplified by an obtuse overexposure to popular culture, environmental and global issues, and financial pressures. The cacophony of social media, and the fear-mongering news cycle based on speculation and culture wars is louder and angrier than ever, creating a highly toxic, digitally dependent world. I don’t know anyone who isn’t struggling with The Down at the moment, and as artists it’s our job to reach into this depth and use it to fuel our creativity.
Easy said, I know. Every day we face negative triggers, and we are all have different filters and sensitivities. Putting your art and life on the line is a high-stakes gamble and negative feedback, no feedback, un-answered emails, social trolls, and rejection can play havoc with your confidence, no matter how ‘thick skinned’ you are.
I’m no psychologist, but I am a survivor. For over 30 years I’ve worked as a songwriter, touring, and recording artist, producer, project manager and Creative Director and I’m still standing… only because I have developed skills that help me deal with The Downs, and The Ups, of being an artist. I hope some of my survival smarts will help you on your artistic journey.
Decompress: after bad news, rejection or negative feedback give yourself time to process before you react. This also applies to good news. These twists and turns in your life need space to settle before you allow it to take over your precious inner world. When I recently found out that a funding bid wasn’t successful the negative voices in my head were calling me an imposter and a failure. My survival instincts have taught me to distract these voices with other thoughts, like picturing a happy place, or remembering the feeling of floating in a warm sea. It requires discipline but can bring me back from the bottom.
Ask for help: this is a hard one. I don’t like asking anything from anyone and am doggedly independent, both personally, and professionally. Finding like-minded people who have similar lived experiences is an essential part of my coping strategy. The community of artists I’ve connected with through the Pro7ect residential songwriting retreats over the past 10 years is a real lifeline for me. It’s difficult knowing who to trust sometimes and the bonds that are made in the Pro7ect writing rooms at Rockfield Studios are robust and sincere. Elton John says that we should never feel afraid of asking three small words “I need help”. This can be a difficult step to take which is why you need empathic shoulders to stand on.
Digital detox: I recently deleted all the news apps from my phone and have been intentionally ignoring the mainstream news. My levels of anxiety were off the Richter, and the constant drag of negativity and doom-mongering was damaging my mental health and wellbeing. Trying to be optimistic about a future career as an artist isn’t helped by the negativity tsunami that hits us every day. I’m not burying my head in the sand, just limiting my exposure. I have full days where I turn my phone off and lock my laptop away, so I can engage in meaningful conversations and be more aware of my surroundings. FaceAche, Instaspam, Twatter and TickTwat free days are highly recommended.
Have a Plan B: as artists we often put all of our energy into one project at a time. The commitment and tenacity required to carry a song or a project through to release is monumental. I know the heartbreak when a project or dream doesn’t reach the desired outcome. Unfortunately, this is all part of the process, and one of my survival mantra’s is ‘opposition is opportunity’. The funding rejection I received this week for a project I’ve been working on for 3 years was a devastating blow. It took 5 months to pull together and write, and the generic rejection letter made me feel like a total imposter. I had a little cry, sat on the news for a couple of days (decompression), then asked for advice from some close supporters who are also artists. I’m still totally bummed but am now planning to re-skin the application for re-submission.
One of the most important parts of our job as artists is to keep showing up. With more cuts to arts and music program’s than ever before, and the threat to the craft of songwriting by reduced streaming income and AI, it’s our job to plough through the noise and make music that helps us as well as our community.
Good luck on your creative adventures and we hope to see you at a Pro7ect Songwriting retreat some time soon.
If you need urgent help in the UK, Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
About Pro7ect:
Pro7ect is the UK’s premier residential songwriting retreat, based at Rockfield Studios in Wales. Pro7ect offers artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers the unique opportunity to work with internationally respected music producers at our events.
Apply today for our next Residential Songwriting Retreats: (limited places available) at: www.pro7ect.com.
Our next events:
Residential: 16th – 20th July 2024 - £1695
Fee includes four nights’ accommodation (twin share), three writing days and all meals, studios, and equipment.
Masterclass: 20th July 2023: 10am - 5pm - £225.
The price includes studio, equipment, producer fees and lunch.
Applicants do not need to have any previous songwriting experience to attend the Masterclasses.
To find out more visit www.pro7ect.com
@pro7ectmusic