why are so many young artists struggling with their mental health on tour?
is it just me, or are we seeing a trend here folks...
Read all of this, or none of it.
In 2020, myself and my business partners recorded what I’m pretty sure to be the first ever live recording of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” It’s not Stairway to Heaven, but hey it’s somethin.
We had so many moments like this, with artists who weren’t anybody at the time, but are now on the radio, or in the studio with John Mayer, or just out on the road trying to make something of themselves.
Chappell Roan had somethin like 8,000 followers when we did this. She’s now surpassed 2.4 million, and hangin out with Elton John regularly. Pink Pony Club has been streamed 64 million times. WTF!?
I’ve never been a numbers guy, but at some point you gotta tip your cap…right?
I was laying in bed last week, and stumbled on this clip of Chappell on stage in North Carolina…
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My eyes were only half open, but the sound of her voice caught my ear, so I popped up.
I said to myself “fuck, she sounds like she’s goin through it.”
…add her to the list of young artists currently struggling with their newfound success.
Cancelled shows, and tours, and the lengthy notes posted on Instagram, announcing a much needed “break” from music…these are the things that have become far too common.
I’ll be on at 1pm PST Tues & Wed this week, listening to your music, chatting, etc
Join me! https://www.twitch.tv/lucasfloodpresents
An industry wide problem…
As kids, I don’t think we realize what mental health is until we come face to face with anxiety or depression.
We feel stress for the first time, or a panic attack, or get locked in a dark mindset that we can’t escape for days or weeks on end, and then our parents or a doctor “diagnose” us….
OHHHHH so thatssss what that is…
I was 16 when I saw a doctor because I was having these really weird “electric” feelings in my body (as I called them) and didn’t know what to do. I was pretty uncomfortable.
Doc says “Lucas, that’s called anxiety,” I said “No, I don’t have anxiety, that’s not what this is.”
At 16, Lucas already knew EVERYTHING…
He said, “okay so I’d like to put you on Xanax for a few weeks and see if that helps.” 32 year old Lucas wishes he had a Xanax right now.
Back then, I didn’t really know what it was, but I knew kids in my hometown were doing it and getting in trouble for it, so I just said no thank you, and left. It felt too heavy.
I haven’t seen a doctor or therapist for mental health reasons since…from then on, I just said to myself “you gotta figure out how to deal with this.” Maybe not the best approach, but to each their own.
Since then, I’ve pushed myself to the edge a few times, over a course a months here and there (working hard and playing wayyyy too hard), but I was able to reel it in and reset.
For some, the idea of “reeling it in” is laughable…some times you’re just out of control, and your mind + body have plans of their own. While I’m thankful for my health, I know there are many who struggle with these sorts of things every day, artists or not.
My goal in talking about all of this is to briefly touch on something I’m seeing more and more of…the causes, the industry related issues, but also an effort to draw the line somewhere. I’d love to hear your feedback, in the comments or an email reply.
How do we help young artists (and established ones) take care of themselves, while still having realistic standards and expectations of them?
How do we focus, not only mental health, but mental strength, while being sincere and empathetic to all?
While I may have strong opinions, please don’t mistake them as insincere.
Hopefully through discussion, down the road, a better path forward presents itself.
WITH THAT SAID, I DO NOT ACCEPT CANCELLED SHOWS / TOURS UNLESS YOUR MOM’S DEAD!!!
If you release music, and get me attached to it, and I now love you, I expect you to show the fuck up, not post a long note on instagram explaining why you can’t.
If you announce the shows, if you sell the tickets, you commit to it and see it through. That has to be the standard, nothing more nothing less.
I have great respect for Chappell Roan. She showed up on a day she found to be harder than most.
That’s Rock n Roll baby.
A REAL CONVERSATION THAT HAPPENED SOMETIME SOMEWHERE PROBABLY…
Artist: Posts a 13 second tik tok clip from random song they just wrote in their PJs at 2pm on a Wednesday.
Junior Agent, 1 week later with his feet up on his desk after signing Artist to a deal that will make Artist negative $30: “yeah, so she’s got like 1.7 mil on tik tok, a clip of this one song really popped off, we’ll probably be up for a Grammy this year.”
Senior Agent, 2 weeks later at midnight after blowin' a line of coke off his desk at the office:
“alright so we’re gonna route her through North America, I just got off the phone with Spotify, she’s got ten thousand listeners in India, we’re gonna take her through the UK, we’ll be in India by December.”
Artist, 3 weeks later on Instagram after announcing worldwide tour, that most will die dreaming of: “OMG I literally just started doing music 6 months ago OMG THIS IS SO AMAZING THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH”
Artist, 1 year later on Instagram: “Unfortunately I need to take a step back from music to focus on my mental health, the rest of the tour is cancelled, i just uninstalled Garage Band, i’ll talk to you guys later.”
OMG ❤️ THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, GET WELL SOON!!!
Artist, 5 years later:
Lucas: what the FUCK!????
We catapult any glimpse of social success to the moon, disregarding the fact that MAYBE this person is not currently in possession of what’s required for a successful landing.
Why does this world we’re in seem to be solely comprised of cheap thrills and short sighted goals?
Why doesn’t any of this seem like it’s going to last?
Is it just me? I can’t tell if I’m making all this up or not.
Part 5000 of “how the internet ruined music…”
There is a very strong (and hopefully obvious) difference between making music and touring.
You can write, record, release, and promote, all from your little hole, and never step foot on to the sidewalk. You will feel no pain (unless you’re a Rock band that requires an exponentially higher budget to exist in general)….otherwise, you just sit and watch the numbers go up, and up (if you’re lucky / pretty enough / can kinda singish).
I on the other hand, wake up every day only to look at myself in the mirror and say “well pal, your head’s too big, your ears stick out, your teeth are crooked, you’re getting fat again, you’re pretty fuckin old now, but hey, maybe today you’ll start making that video content that could finally move the needle for ya!”
For those who get past these empowering thoughts and “succeed” on the internet, when it comes time to step out into the world, will you be adequately equipped to embark on this journey? The real one?
Because now, the only way to keep your momentum going, is to come face to face with the beast you’ve created. Your online “community” wants to meet you baby!
The exciting part for most, has now turned into the difficult part for many. Touring is not for the faint of heart. I think for some young artists, it’s their least favorite part of the job.
Having to put together a meaningful performance and execute it night after night, with so many eyes and ears and fans and critics hitting you all at once, in real life and in the comments section, all while getting used to life on the road, is a lot to manage…especially when you haven’t spent the previous decade alone, in a van, playing dive bars for audiences who could literally watch you kill yourself on stage and still find the conversation they’re currently in more interesting.
That is why a tour was never meant to be a reward for strong social media engagement.
Tours were earned, by those with miles on their boots.
Careers were given to those who were ready for them.
The solution…
I fear that music (for some), has turned into “the fun thing to do” rather than “the only thing I am meant to do.”
I fear that the consumer’s attention has been drawn to all the wrong places.
I fear that we’re missing greatness by focusing on…whatever you want to call all this.
In tough times, I have faith that the heart will overcome the mind. I think Chappell’s heart pushed her forward that night in North Carolina, and I hope she keeps going.
As I get older, I learn time and time again that the heart always knows.
It should be followed, endlessly.
Your first instinct is always your best.
The mind will be quick to lead you astray, attempting to rationalize too many complex thoughts and ideas at once.
We must learn to tame our minds.
Our dreams should never be rationalized.
Delusion is a necessary part of success.
It’s one thing to struggle with mental health, and another to have never wanted this dream in the first place.
Maybe you just wanted attention.
The music industry should not look as pretty as the internet makes it seem. It shouldn’t look so “easy.”
The reward of fans, in every city across the country and world, showing up to see you play, should never be the difficult part.
While you may find some days hard, it’s the greatest gift you’ll ever be given.
Do what you can to take care of your fans. Do everything you can to take care of yourself.
Have foresight. Know who you are.
Tend to your bubble, and fill it with what works for you. Don’t take on too much, but don’t be afraid to hit the gas. See everything through.
Remember that the energy you surround yourself with, is the energy you will have.
Choose your people wisely. Trim the fat.
Follow your heart until the end of days.
Long live rock n roll,
Lucas
Great thoughts / read!
Excellent read. Thank you!!