The Importance of Music for Good Mental Health with Sweet Jonny and Metal Fatigue
Friday was World Mental Health Day. It is a time to reflect on our own well-being and that of the people around us. Now, while speaking openly about our struggles takes a bit of that weight off us, everyone has different ways of expressing themselves.
So to honour today, this piece focuses on how music can help us figure out what is happening in our brains, as well as the way it can unite us. I have been lucky enough to start these conversations with a bunch of incredibly talented artists. They have been kind enough to share their own experiences.
Undeniably, mental health can feel very isolating. Even so, most people around you have felt something similar. There is one thing for certain: you are never alone in how you feel. I wanted to deep dive into the impact change can have on the brain and how we function to stay afloat in the midst of it. Admittedly, feeling out of control can make us spiral and feel off balance. Something that helps most people keep their feet on the ground is familiarity. Thus, nothing quite transports a person to a safe time like music. We all know that music holds memories, bringing us back to a specific time in our lives.
For instance, I have been listening to a lot of Mac DeMarco again. ‘This Old Dog’ is reminiscent of a time in my life when I felt the most hopeful about my future. Specifically, I remember being in my teens, lying down on my bed in the pitch black with my window wide open, listening to the beginning notes of ‘My Old Man’. The reason Mac’s music has crept back up for me is because I have taken that leap, leant into that freedom, and decided to make a big change.
At the start of this year, I moved to Brighton from a town in the Midlands. The jump was scary and unnerving. Knowing that life as I knew it would be completely changed, and that I wouldn’t see everyone I love and care for every day. And yet, I knew that I had to do it for myself, to grow. Equally for my 22-year-old self and my 15-year-old self, who knew I was destined for more. Since then, life has been filled to the brim with change after change. With another big move and a step-up job-wise, the world never stops moving. Luckily for me, neither does my turntable.
These big life changes inspired me to speak to two different bands that are from both parts of my life. One is Brighton-based and one is close to my hometown. Indeed, combining ideas solidified my belief that music is where we find similarities within ourselves. While the questions I asked were the same, the responses gave me insight into the personal relationships we have with the music that moves and motivates musicians.
Sweet Jonny
Sweet Jonny is a Brighton-based band, described as “your nightmare neighbours”. Illustrated in their heavy, grungy style, giving no-f***s-given approach. It goes hand in hand with the sheer amount of effort and care they put into their abilities. Additionally, the band is going to be taking Amsterdam by storm. With the opportunity to rock out on a houseboat to record their upcoming music and squeeze as many shows in between as possible, there is no stopping them. Definitely keep an eye out for what’s to come. I’ll be getting the chance to speak to the group about this incredible experience when they’re back from their travels.
In what ways would you say music personally helps your mental health?
Tom: I know of nothing else that can instantly change your day and night as radically as a great song. Music has always been there for me and always will be. It’s a beautiful thing.
Paul: Music is a constant for me. It’s there to support me at my worst and to celebrate with me at my best. There’s not much you can count on in life to treat you like that.
Joel: Playing music, especially live, is definitely cathartic. Playing in a loud punk band like Sweet Jonny definitely helps me let out some stress and aggression. The response from the crowd also gives me a boost. Also, seeing likes and plays tick up on streaming platforms helps with the dopamine levels! It’s never been about the money or even recognition. But it’s really nice to know that our music is touching people.
Neil: Performing or listening, it is the most effective distraction I can think of.
If there was one musician, song, or album that is guaranteed to make you feel better or give you some comfort, what would it be?
Neil: I always fall back on ‘Sumday‘ by Grandaddy. It’s a weird, sad, hopeful indie album that is just about perfect.
Joel: Albums – ‘London Calling‘ by The Clash, or ‘Stray Dog Town‘ by Bent Outta Shape. The former is easy to relate to as a British guy, with its blend of genres stitched together by punk sensibilities. The latter is just a great relatable punk album by a bunch of hoods who were going through the same sorts of struggles with relationships, substances, and life in general that we all face – especially in the punk scene. Joe Strummer is one of my idols. I don’t think the guy ever put out a bad song… except maybe for some of the tracks on ‘Cut The C**p‘. My father got me into punk music, and The Clash were one of those bands I adopted early on in my life. They’ll always have a place in my heart.
Paul: The comfort I need depends on the moment and the circumstance. But it’ll always be an artist that’s honest and vulnerable. My big ones, at the moment, are Parkway Drive, PUP, and The Menzingers. Ask me in 3 months, and somebody else will have taken me by the ears.
Tom: There’s never one artist or song for one moment, I find. But I’ve recently been revisiting the entire Ween back catalogue. Digging out and sharing with Paul such unknown classics as ‘Boys Club‘ and ‘Crappy Anniversary Jimmy‘. One that has been a staple of many an all-night party would be ‘Rebound‘ by Charlie Rich, enjoyed by me and Joel, which we’ll probably cover one day.
For me, music holds memories of certain times in my life. Almost like a soundtrack! Do you feel the same, or is every new listen a different experience?
Tom: Music holds some of the clearest memories. We’ve all got seminal albums or songs that have changed the way we feel or comforted us. I can still remember one of the first albums that changed the way I listened to music and wrote it, being ‘Pixies at the BBC‘. An eruption of noise and intensity.
Paul: It’s definitely a powerful tool to take you back to different times, people, and places – but it’s interesting how you evolve as a person. You have the capacity to build new memories and attach new feelings to (them).
Neil: Yes, music frequently attaches itself to the context it’s heard in for me. It still has to appeal as music to qualify for the memory.
Joel: I think your perspective changes as you mature and experience things in life. A song or band that seemed trite or unrelatable at an early stage of your life may take on new meaning as you get older. Conversely, you might get tired of, or fall out of love with, songs that meant more to you in your youth. In that way, music is a good way to measure how you’re growing and maturing as a person. You may get tired of some songs, but you’ll never get tired of music.
As a musician, I’m sure your work can cause you stress sometimes. How do you balance those not-so-great times vs doing something you love?
Tom: We’ve been about for over a decade and a bit now (laughs). (The) best advice I could give to bands is to take a break, but never quit.
Paul: For me, it’s about giving yourself an escape from everything else in your life – nothing else matters when you’re locked into the music.
Neil: Music isn’t work. I do work so I can do music. Music is always good times, even when it’s bad.
Joel: I think it’s important to not let life get in the way. We’re all older now and have wives, partners, kids, bills to pay, etc. But it’s important to make the time to play and appreciate music. I’m an alcoholic and I’m in recovery. As part of the AA programme, I do my morning prayer and meditation. But to me, that just means waking up early to listen to music, read the lyrics, and truly appreciate it. If you make the time to really appreciate something, you will get a lot more out of it.
Have there been any big changes in your life that has affected your love of music? Did you turn to it or need time away?
Tom: No, music has always been a part of those times. For me, it elevates the highs and comforts in the lows. And those songs in those moments become cemented with those feelings, and that’s something you take with you.
Neil: I was unwell most of last year and could not play. Much like COVID lockdowns, it was suffocating not being able to play with people. When I was able to return to playing, the first session was my first rehearsal with Sweet Jonny. It was like being able to breathe again, even though it wasn’t music I knew.
Joel: I’ve definitely had a few shitty things happen to me in my life. My brother died; my wife left me for one of my so-called friends. I’ve struggled with drugs and alcohol for most of my life since then. I think the best music I’ve made has been in the lowest points in my life. At the least, music has been a distraction (even if it served to amplify the misery I was feeling), and at best, it’s spurred me on to do better and been a driving force to keep me keeping on.
Paul: I had a year off from playing live at one point due to a pretty negative ending with a previous band. But that just made me want to focus on recording more, to be honest. I’ve never been able to keep myself away from it for too long. And like they say, nobody can stay away from being in Sweet Jonny; everyone’s gotta take their turn.
What would you say has been your most positive experience as a musician? Whether that be seeing how you’ve impacted others, or a way it has made you personally feel happy.
Joel: See the answer to the previous question – just seeing a crowd dancing, enjoying the music, and giving me congratulations after a show gives me a massive boost. The feeling of playing live on stage is better than any drug or booze. Even if no one shows up to a show, just getting the chance to get on stage and do my thing makes me feel ten feet tall!
Paul: Too many to pick, to be honest! But the first big one was playing a festival at 16 to about 1500 people, that was pretty wild. Right now, I’m really enjoying playing in Sweet Jonny as it’s a new challenge for me, as I’ve always been a frontman. It’s really positive to see that I have the capability to unlock a new side of my performance and elevate other people’s work.
Tom: One of my favourite places we played in Mexico was Puebla. We turned up after having got a 4 am flight into the city with 0 hours sleep and didn’t play until midnight that night. The whole time, our hosts treated us to food, drink, and a tour of the city. They wouldn’t even let Joel buy his cigarettes, paying for the lot. The crowd were insane, the city beautiful, and despite our ropey Mexican learning, everyone really brought us into their hearts and homes. Mates for life.
Neil: Any time I’m doing a music thing and it is feeling good to me, or it looks like it’s feeling good to others, that’s the one.
Sweet Jonny is on Instagram. Buy their music here or stream below.
Metal Fatigue
Photo Credit: Kevin Hargrave
Metal Fatigue is a showstopping 5-piece band from Derbyshire. They have mastered the guitar like no one I have ever seen before, getting everyone in the room on their feet. Undoubtedly, it is truly an experience to see them play live. From heavy rock classic covers to changing the setup to sprinkle in a bit of Beastie Boys, you can’t help but wonder if the way they play is even human. For instance, when seeing them play, my best friend, who isn’t into rock or live music, could not take his eyes off them. Absolutely the highest of compliments if you can capture interest as well as these guys do. I had the pleasure of speaking to Steve Fletcher (vocals) and Kevin Roberts (guitar & vocals) about their own experiences.
In what ways would you say music personally helps your mental health?
Kevin: It can alter the mood I’m in.
Steven: Music can be euphoric and really lift you up. It can take you back to when times were good or better than they are when you are in a bad mood or feeling down.
If there was one musician, song, or album that is guaranteed to make you feel better or give you some comfort, what would it be?
Kevin: Strange answer, but my song would be ‘Red Light Spells Danger‘ by Billy Ocean. Whenever I hear it, I can’t help but smile.
Steven: Judas Priest’s ‘Sad Wings of Destiny‘ album. (It) takes me back to when I was discovering music properly as a 14-year-old and going to my first gig… which was Judas Priest in 1978!!!
For me, music holds memories of certain times in my life. Almost like a soundtrack! Do you feel the same, or is every new listen a different experience?
Kevin: Certain songs, when I hear them, bring back memories. When I hear ‘Let It Rain‘ by UFO, I always think about an old school friend who passed away a few years back. It’s a song we always played air guitar to as young kids. Occasional songs that come on the radio can take you back to a certain time in your life. They act as memory reminders.
Steven: Lots of songs bring back great memories of being with friends at a festival or event or just together. Also, they can invoke melancholic feelings. It varies depending on the setting and who I am with.
As a musician, I’m sure your work can cause you stress sometimes. How do you balance those not-so-great times vs doing something you love?
Kevin: Just knowing that the stress created will eventually be worthwhile is enough to help. I have also realised that things that cause stress usually seem irrelevant after they have passed, and that the stress was for nothing.
Steven: Music is a massive release and a great way to de-stress most of the time. Setting up a gig, booking venues, and rallying the troops can also be stressful, but from the first chord, all that is forgotten. I have a great time on stage… most of the time.
Have there been any big changes in your life that have affected your love of music? Did you turn to it or need time away?
Kevin: As my family and close friends can confirm, I have always had music in my life from a very young boy. (From) playing his parents Guy Mitchell 78s, to buying my first 7” single in my local record shop as an 11-year-old (Racey – Lay Your Love on Me ), to saving up all of my weeks wages as a teenager and getting a bus to my local record shop and spending every penny I had on records then having to walk home no matter what the weather. The only time I can recall not listening to music was when I first split up with my ex-wife. I didn’t want to listen to anything for about 2 weeks.
Steven: Music has always been a part of my life from a very small child. I can remember hearing The Beatles and Cilla Black on the radio when I was 3 or 4, and my Mum always playing The Carpenters. Even to this day, I still have a guilty pleasure listening to them. I can’t imagine not ever having music in my life, and whilst there are times when it is not a priority, it is always there.
What would you say has been your most positive experience as a musician?
Kevin: Whether that be seeing how you’ve impacted others, or a way it has made you personally feel happy. Just playing in front of a room full of strangers that, over time, become friends.
Steven: I never imagined I would be in a successful and popular band of my own. As a late starter (I was over 40 when I first joined a band), it seemed it would never be the case. But, due to a number of chance events, a friend got me into my first band, and it went from strength to strength. Just playing in front of a good crowd that appreciated the music is a really positive experience. There are not many things to replicate the feeling…If anything!
Metal Fatigue is on Facebook.
A Big Thank You!
From these conversations with all these talented musicians about some of their personal experiences and the things that mean the most to them, it furthered my belief that music really is at the centre of all of our lives. I feel extremely honoured and privileged to be a part of these discussions. We are able to put our heart on our sleeves to show others they’re not alone. I want to say a huge thank you to the incredible members of Sweet Jonny and Metal Fatigue. They were so open with me and took the time to share pieces of themselves with the world.
To conclude, I hope that you have been able to see parts of yourselves in the music and messages that run throughout this piece. Mental health is unbelievably important every day, not just in October. Reach out, and know that there is always a new day ahead.
Now go and listen to the music that makes you the happiest. If you are experiencing any of your own struggles or know someone who is, there are many different resources: CALM: 0800 58 58 58, National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 0800 587 0800, and Samaritans: 116 123
You can read more Mental Health awareness pieces here.
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