music and mental health

After years of writing original music I noticed a pattern – that I always wanted to write songs that worked on processing, resolving, or seeing the positives in difficult situations. Reflecting is a flowing, continuous process for me, and it got me thinking how much I’d like to use my songs in various ways to help others feel less alone, to help calm my listeners, and to bring people closer together.

So far I’ve gone about these things by arranging an instrumental album called ‘Piano Places’ which was featured by the #1 meditation app, Calm, and by playing at hospitals, care homes, yoga retreats and intimate living room shows, providing close and in the moment connection. There’s also a ‘Piano Places II’ on Bandcamp now!

I’ve been self-employed my whole life and have, like many creatives, experienced a lot of difficulties around that, including years of chronic insomnia that fueled some pretty horrendous anxiety, which led me to be even more passionate about helping others feeling similar emotions.

Between 2015-2020 I worked with Clic Sargent charity (now rebranded ‘Young Lives VS Cancer’), as a music mentor. I felt such love and fulfilment from seeing music transform individuals going through so much physical and mental struggle, and I know deeply that I want to further my journey with the healing power of music. I now work with Live Music Now to occasionally bring my songs to hospital patients.

So please do get in touch if you’d like to find out more. Perhaps you’re running a retreat (any kind) and want to add an experience for the guests that will help them break down some social barriers and connect emotionally over an intimate set of live music?

If you’re a publication trying to spread the word about mental health and wellbeing, I’d love to chat about my journey interview style! Here are a couple I’ve done with Happiful and Able2UK.

Equally, if you are running any sort of event with a focus on finding more balance. calm and connection, a live set of my songs, and/or a live interview could be the perfect thing to slot in amongst other mediums you’re using to promote the message.

I can also commission original songs for exclusive use for any of these purposes.