Seven out of ten independent artists feel bad: “That's right. People die ”

Stress, anxiety and depression. It is an experience that many independent musicians share, shows the survey that Record union did in the spring of 2019. The artist Jack Moy is one of those who recognize himself.

- I've had a tough time. I've been doing this for ten years and almost don't think it will get any easier over the years. All of life is just on stand by. If something happens, you let go of what you do. You don't know when the next gig will come, says Jack Moy.

Indian artists include those who do not belong to any of the three major record companies or who have no record label at all.

- It's another type of isolation and loneliness. No one sees how I feel when I release a disc. That's me, and maybe the guys in the band, says Jack Moy.

Record union is a music company that distributes independent artist's music to various streaming platforms. Of the 73 per cent who, according to the survey, experienced mental ill health in connection with the creation of music, 33 per cent had panic attacks.

- You work a lot at home, alone. When you go to bed you may not have taken a break and the brain just ticks. If you can't succeed with this then you might feel unsuccessful because you identify so much with what you do. All this stuff leads to depression and sleep difficulties somewhere, says Jack Moy.

Kristina Tunkran's Lidehorn is a former lawyer and music company CEO. She is not surprised by the results of the investigation - on the contrary.

- Unfortunately not. I probably thought that there would be an even higher proportion who experience mental ill-health in connection with their creative creation, ”says Kristina Tunkran's Lidehorn.

Her experience is that mental illness is a problem in the entire music industry but that indie artists are extra vulnerable and would need more help.

- Help with accounting, help with legal advice, maybe take help in negotiations so that you do not get into a discussion that you as an artist can experience is about one's value as a person. Which makes it easy to talk about money linked to a creative product.

According to the survey, only 19 percent feel that the music industry is doing enough to create a healthy music climate with prosperous artists. Both Jack Moy and Kristina Tunkran's Lidehorn believe that the template image of the tormented artist needs to be challenged, and platforms are also needed where indie artists can meet.

- I think there is no good network where you can share experiences, where you can get in touch with more experienced artists who have been and seen how difficult it can be and who can support. It needs more of that, says Kristina Tunkran's Lidehorn and continues:

- I think this is one of the most important issues right now. It is for real. People die.