Music and mental health: A conversation with Kingston musicians

Is the music industry a mental health hazard? This is one of the many questions explored in this episode, as Johnny and first-time co-host, Jermaine Marshall, explore the mental health and wellness challenges of writing, recording and performing music with local artists Ricky Brant—who writes, records and performs music as KaKaow (and hosts Musiikki Café's popular weekly open mic night)—and Rich Tyo of JukeBox County, who is also a professional psychotherapist. The conversation spans everything from substance abuse and addiction to grief and trauma, and covers topics ranging from self-care to professional help and even psychedelics treatment.Chapters:00:00:22 Episode overview00:01:38 Guest and host introductions00:03:15 Psychiatry vs. psychotherapy00:04:44 Is the music industry a mental health hazard?00:08:49 Music as an outlet for pain and trauma00:12:34 Balancing artist image and authentic identity00:15:42 Music as a mental health tool00:18:21 The vulnerable act of making and sharing music00:21:39 Reconciling religion and music00:23:57 Opening the musical medicine cabinet00:26:56 Processing feelings vs. catharsis00:30:37 How to approach professional mental health help00:33:55 Live music as therapeutic infrastructure00:40:06 No substitute for connection00:42:54 Carrying grief as an artist00:44:50 Ricky's rebound from rock bottom00:53:13 Psychedelic support00:55:46 Episode creditsEpisode Production CreditsGuests:Rich Tyo of JukeBox County https://kingstonlive.ca/jukebox-countyRicky Brant (KaKaow) https://kingstonlive.ca/kakaowHosts:Johnny San [email protected] Marshall https://kingstonlive.ca/jermainemarshallEpisode Links:Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Addiction & Mental Health Services https://amhs-kfla.caAMHS-KFLA mental health crisis programs https://amhs-kfla.ca/programs-services/crisis/Outside the Box Education & Psychotherapy https://www.kingstonoutsidethebox.com/JukeBox County https://kingstonlive.ca/jukebox-countyKaKaow https://kingstonlive.ca/kakaowMusiikki Café https://kingstonlive.ca/musiikki-cafeKingston concerts and music festivals https://kingstonlive.ca/Audio production by Soundwise https://kingstonlive.ca/resource/1191590/view Sign up for Kingston music news, local concert and event listings and announcements delivered to your inbox monthly, weekly or even daily. Subscribe here…