It’s been 8 years…

[photo by Towering Above guitarist J. Slickwood.]

Last Friday, my new EP Everyone Is a Moon hit streaming platforms. (Before I go any further, many thanks to all of you who have listened and all who came to the show last week. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.)

I saw a comment on a post about the EP where someone said they felt sadness in my work, and it seemed to surprise them because, according to them, I seem like a happy person.

Compared to when these songs were written, I am in a much better place. But I spent many years hiding depression and putting on that public happy face even when I was a wreck inside.

It’s been 8 years this month since I first went public about depression and started seeking help. It’s been 4 years since I re-started therapy for the same reason.

I’ve always had a tendency to use my music as a form of emotional release, whether full band or solo. I’m a late 90s/early 2000s emo kid at heart. Sad songs have always felt more real to me, relatable, authentic. (They still do.)

At this point, I’ve embraced the #sadboi descriptor for my music. My songs are very personal and yes, tend to be sad and emotional. They are authentic.

For the past 8…ish… months, I have been doing much better. I feel like a different person in many ways. I’ve experienced more peace and calmness and have had fewer bouts with depression. I’m not saying that I’m cured – I still have moments; they just don’t seem to last as long (thankfully.)

But going back to that comment, many people that seem happy are struggling. If you look at comedians, there is a huge swath that deals with depression. Search “comedy and depression” and see all the articles that come up.

I’ve seen an image posted several times over the years that says something like “this is what depression looks like” and it’s pictures of smiling celebrities that either ended their own lives or fell into addictions that did it for them.

How many times have you seen the comment “check on your strong friends”?

So I guess my overall point in this is to encourage you to just… be kind. We never know what another person is struggling with. Even those who seem happy may be hiding inner turmoil. Yes, check on your strong friends. Spread love. Be kind. Seek help (no shame in that; end the stigma.) Find the beauty in the world.

Thanks for reading. Much love.