Tune up, not out.
From the crowd, working in the music industry can look like a pure dream, but the more we talk about mental health and wellbeing, the more we learn that musicians, managers, crew, music workers and the people in their lives often find themselves facing just as much struggle as they find and face success.
Support Act’s ‘Tune Ups’ series is a high impact, intimate and revealing video series that goes into the deeply personal mental health journeys of some of Australia’s biggest and emerging names in music, including Brendon Love (The Teskey Brothers), Sahara Herald (Frontier Touring) and Fanny Lumsden – asking what it took to take control of their own mental wellbeing and what they do now to stay on track.
Mental health issues can affect anyone, but there are healthy ways to pursue a career in music and support for those who make music their career. Check out our mental health resources for advice and tips, and if you need someone to talk to, call the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline on 1800 959 500.
Episodes
Episode 1: Brendon Love, The Teskey Brothers
Brendon Love is bass player for the 4 x ARIA Award winning The Teskey Brothers. Brendon discusses his anxiety and depression, how his band and management look after each other’s mental health and what happened when he contacted the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline. Brendon is a Mental Health Advocate for Support Act.
Episode 2: G Flip
With pop hooks galore and drum sticks in hand, G Flip is fast becoming one of Australia’s best known artists, here and abroad. G talks about the impact the pandemic had on their mental wellbeing during lockdown and what they do to stay mentally well.
Episode 3: Howard Freeman, CrewCare.
Living by the music mantra “the show must go on”, Howard Freeman details how life as a crew member has its ups, but equally is a lifestyle that can lead to more than a few downs. Howard, one of the Australian industry’s most iconic roadies (AC/DC, INXS, Big Day Out) and Co-Founder of CrewCare, has turned to boxing for its physical and mental health benefits.
Episode 4: Barkaa
Described by GQ as “The New Matriarch of Australian Rap”, Barkaa, a proud Malyangapa, Barkindji woman, is truly one of the rising stars of the music scene. Barkaa talks candidly with Support Act about homelessness and drug addiction, and the incredible resilience she found through her “sister girls” to rise up to be the artist and mother she wanted to be.
Episode 5: Fanny Lumsden
Fanny Lumsden has had a year like few others. Recounting the fight against catastrophic bushfires threatening her community in the Tooma valley, through to becoming one of Australia’s most celebrated country music artists, winning her first ARIA Award, five CMAA Golden Guitar Awards and an Australian Music Prize nomination. Fanny discusses how she balances family, constant touring and success, whilst keeping her own mental health in check. Fanny is a Mental Health Advocate for Support Act.
Episode 6: Ziggy Ramo
Ziggy Ramo is one of the most important voices in Australian music right now, tackling issues of racism and mental illness on his Australian Music Prize shortlisted album ‘Black Thoughts’.
Episode 7: Sahara Herald, Tour Director of Frontier Touring
Sahara Herald is Tour Director for Frontier Touring and one of the most iconic figures in the modern Australian music business. Sahara talks openly about grief and loss, her battle against alcoholism and the steps she’s taken to recover. Sahara is now committed to reducing the stigma attached to mental health and addiction issues and supporting others in the music industry to seek the help they need. Sahara is a Mental Health Advocate for Support Act.
