Fame Hurts - 5 Reasons Why

In the last couple of years, I’ve asked myself frequently the question if it’s possible that fame hurts. Usually when I’ve heard of another musician who died on an overdose of painkillers, like Tom Petty, Prince and Michael Jackson. This week I read that Lady Gaga is cancelling at least 10 dates if her worldwide tour because of severe pain, just like she did last year September.

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Can The Music Business Support Musicians In Taking Care Of Their Mental Health?

Many musicians have mental health issues. Most common are depression, anxiety disorder and addiction. Who is responsible for the mental health of musicians? Fans, promoters, agents, A&R managers, managers or musicians?

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Mental Health Of Musicians In The News

The suicides of Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) last week and of Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) last May made me feel very sad. Some people used it to start a discussion about the mental health of musicians and of people working in the music business.

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Being A Star - Between Diva Behavior And Imposter Syndrome

For people, being a star means that you are in the spotlights, that others notice you, that you are famous. We admire you, you inspire us. All the admiration does something to you and your ego. Your ego is blown up big way! Like a balloon. That’s how people with an imposter syndrome experience it. They still feel the same as they were before they became famous. They are anxious all the time, anxious that others might call them a fraud, that others deflate the balloon. The other side of the medal is, when you think that you have a right to all privileges that you get because of your fame. Often you don’t even know the name of the people surrounding you. You don’t seem to care, as long as they put you in the center of all attention. In psychology they call it ‘diva-behavior’.

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Anxiety And Depression - You Are Not Alone!

Working in the music business can make you depressed! That’s the conclusion of a recent online study in the UK with more than 2200 participants: musicians and people working in the music business. More than 70% of the participants recorded to have suffered from panic attacks or high levels of anxiety, almost as many people have recorded to have suffered from depression. Not many musicians dare to talk about it. Not many agents or managers either, by the way.

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Why Musicians 'Don't Need' Mental Support

Musicians don’t need mental support. They always have their music to cheer them up. Does it still work like that, if music becomes your business?

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Musicians And Drug Abuse

The most common explanation of drug addiction is, that if you take too long a certain amount of a drug, you will become an addict. It’s the substance that makes you addicted. This is the theory that the US war on drugs is based on.

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If-Only And The Hedonic Treadmill

“If only we could play this major festival, we would become successful and happy.”
“If only I could find an agent, I would have many shows and will be happy.”
“If only a major record company would discover me, I would become famous and happy.”

Do you recognize the if-only thoughts? Many musicians have them. They think that their happiness is dependent on positive events, and that positive events will lead to long-lasting happiness.

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4 P's That Make It Difficult For Musicians To Deal With Fame

Fame – that’s what most musicians dream about. In the music business we still live with the myth that once you are famous, all problems are solved. NOT! You will encounter a whole lot of new problems. Many musicians struggle with fame and with being famous. They suffer so much that some of them die far too young, like Kurt Cobain or Amy Winehouse.

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4 Reasons Why Empowerment Is Important To Musicians

Musicians need empowerment to: 1. stay motivated even after demotivating comments 2. dare to broaden their horizons 3. get more out of it by knowing their abilities 4. prevent to get screwed over by the music business

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