a report that looks at the state of independent music makers’ … · 2019-07-09 · music makers...
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The 73 Percent Report 1Record Union
A report that looks at the state of independent music makers’ mental health and wellbeing.
Phot
o: H
aile
y Re
ed
The 73 Percent Report 2Record Union
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Table of contentsA word from our CEONegative emotions and music creationSeeking treatment and self-medicationOpenness around mental healthMental health creates worryPrioritization of mental healthThe music industry and mental health
This report is based on a study comprising 1 489 independent music makers. Their answers were conducted by a web survey between the 21st of March and 2nd of April 2019.
The 73 Percent Report 3Record Union
Record Union has helped independent music makers to release their music to the world for more than ten years. By providing digital music distribution we are aiming at strengthening the independent music community and making the music industry more democratic, accessible and transparent for the many, not just the few.
To stay up to date on what is happening within the industry, we are continuously researching our field. Something that has been bothering us for a long time is what seems to be an increasing amount of music makers that are suffering from mental illness. To investigate our thesis, we have asked almost 1 500 independent music makers about their mental health and wellbeing and the results are disheartening.
More than seven out of ten (73%) independent music makers said that they have experienced negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to their music creation. Out of those, as many as one out of three (33%) said that they have experienced panic attacks.
Only one out of five (19%) said that they think the music industry is working to create a sustainable climate with healthy artists. The rest we asked: What do you think the music industry could do more of to create a sustainable music climate with healthy artists? We got almost a thousand open answers – some of them you can read throughout this report.
Other conclusions that could be drawn from the results are that there is still a taboo around mental illness within the music industry and that many independent music makers are suffering from loneliness and destructive behaviour.
Something needs to change and it is time to put the state of our artists’ mental health on the agenda, before streams and commercial success. We as an industry must wake up and ask ourselves: What is our responsibility in all this and what can we do to create a healthier music climate?
Johan SvanbergCEO of Record Union
A word from our CEO
The 73 Percent Report 4Record Union
- Independent music maker
Phot
o: A
lexe
y Ru
ban
”There needs to be a culture change, of art
before profit, of encouraging variety, of
benevolence, of selflessness. Feeding
cultural diversity is good for everyone,
but putting money first starves the industry
of flames, of diversity and sustainability.”
The 73 Percent Report 5Record Union
Negative emotions andChapter 1
music creation
Phot
o: F
lavi
o G
aspe
riniF
ollo
w
The 73 Percent Report 6Record Union
73%
I don’t know I don’t want to say Yes No
5% 1% 73% 21%
Have you ever experienced any negative emotions such as stress,anxiety and/or depression in relation to your music creation?
1 489
Ans
wer
sSo
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: Rec
ord
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on
Many artists sufferfrom mental illnessMore than seven out of ten (73%) independent music makers said that they have experienced negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to their music creation.
Negative emotions and music creation
The 73 Percent Report 7Record Union
80%
20%14%No Yes
76%80% 28% 47% 21%69% 49% 73%
18–25 Years 26–35 Years 36–45 Years 46+ Years Total
No No No NoYes Yes Yes Yes
Have you ever experienced any negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to your music creation?
1 489
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wer
sSo
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: Rec
ord
Uni
on
Younger artists suffer moreThe number is even higher among younger artists. As many as four out of five (80%) among the respondents in the age of 18-25 said that they have experienced negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to their music creation.
Negative emotions and music creation
The 73 Percent Report 8Record Union
73%
73% 54% 66% 69% 33%
Anxiety Negative pressure Negative stress Depression Panic attacks
Which of the following symptomshave you been experiencing?
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1 084
Ans
wer
s
Panic attacks are not unusualAnxiety and depression top the list of symptoms, but as many as one out of three (33%) respondents that said that they have experienced negative emotions in relation to their music creation, said that they have experienced panic attacks.
Negative emotions and music creation
The 73 Percent Report 9Record Union
”Consider musicianship a jobthat is deserving of salarybenefits just like the people thatrun the industry. Would be coolif the people that fueled the industry
with their art were taken care of.”
Negative emotions and music creation
Phot
o: W
es H
icks- Independent music maker
The 73 Percent Report 10Record Union
67%
Fear
of f
ailu
re
Fina
ncia
l ins
tabi
lity
Lone
lines
s
Bein
g ev
alua
ted
by o
ther
s
Pres
sure
to d
eliv
er
Pres
sure
to s
ucce
ed
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
67% 59% 58% 51% 44% 40% 6% 1%
Why do you think you haveexperienced those symptoms?
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ecor
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1 084
Ans
wer
s
Main drivers behindnegative emotionsFear of failure and financial instability were the two most common explanations of why independent music makers think that they have experienced symptoms such as anxiety, depression and panic attacks. Pressure to succeed, loneliness and being evaluated by others were also common.
Negative emotions and music creation
The 73 Percent Report 11Record Union
Seeking treatmentand self-medication
Chapter 2
Phot
o: A
my
Hum
phrie
s
The 73 Percent Report 12Record Union
60%
4% 2% 3% 1% 4%3% 1% 2% 0% 2%60% 50% 50% 52% 55%
18–25 Years 26–35 Years 36–45 Years 46+ Years Total
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
No No No No NoYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
33% 47% 46% 47% 39%
Have you been seeking treatment forany of those symptoms?
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ecor
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1 084
Ans
wer
s
Younger artists least likelyto seek treatmentOnly two out of five (39%) independent music makers, that said that they have experienced negative emotions in relation to their music creation, said that they have been seeking treatment for their symptoms. The youngest respondents were those least likely to have been seeking treatment – only one out of three (33%) in the age of 18-25 claimed to have done so.
12Seeking treatment and self-medication
The 73 Percent Report 13Record Union
artists, they go into it alltoo deep and come out fucked.”
Seeking treatment and self-medication
Phot
o: M
icha
el D
isce
nza
- Independent music maker
this big party lifestyle for new”Quit glamorizing drugs and
The 73 Percent Report 14Record Union
84%
Have you talked to a professionalabout your symptoms?
0,5% 0,2% 15,3% 84%
I don’t know I don’t want to say No Yes
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ecor
d U
nion
425
Answ
ers
Many have seena professionalOf those who have been seeking treatment, more than eight out of ten (84%) said that they have been talking to a professional about their symptoms.
Seeking treatment and self-medication
The 73 Percent Report 15Record Union
51%
Have you ever self-medicated due to negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to your music creation?
5% 1% 42% 51%
I don’t know I don’t want to say No Yes
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ecor
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1 084
Ans
wer
s
Self-medication usedas alternative treatmentAbout one out of two (51%) of the respondents, that said that they have experienced negative emotions in relation to their music creation, claimed to have self-medicated due to their symptoms.
Seeking treatment and self-medication
The 73 Percent Report 16Record Union
”Stop entertaining tragic anddestructive lifestyle choices from artists and raise the standard of not ’how to make music’ but also
always replicate what they see.” ’how to be a musician’. People will
Seeking treatment and self-medication
Phot
o: T
he N
igm
atic
- Independent music maker
The 73 Percent Report 17Record Union
54%
In what way have you self-medicated?
54% 50% 32% 13% 6%
Alcohol Drugs Prescription drugs Other substances I don’t want to say
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ecor
d U
nion
555
Answ
ers
Alcohol and drugs mostly usedThose who said that they have self-medicated were most likely to have done so through the use of alcohol (54%) and drugs (50%).
17Seeking treatment and self-medication
The 73 Percent Report 18Record Union
Openness aroundChapter 3
mental health
Phot
o: A
ntho
ny C
antin
The 73 Percent Report 19Record Union
74%
18–25 Years 26–35 Years 36–45 Years 46+ Years Total
4% 2% 1% 4% 3%1% 1% 0% 0% 1%37%
24%
25%
22%
31%
58%
72%
74%
74%
65%
Do you talk to the people around you about mental health and wellbeing?
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
No No No No NoYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
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1 084
Ans
wer
s
Younger artists least likely totalk about their mental healthThose who said that they have experienced negative emotions in relation to their music creation were fairly likely to talk about mental health and wellbeing with the people around them, although it differed between ages. The numbers were the lowest among independent music makers in the age of 18-25 (58%) and highest among those older than 36 (74%).
19Openness around mental health
The 73 Percent Report 20Record Union Openness around mental health
to tackle them and how to best go about having a good healthy music career.”
Phot
o: C
had
Kirc
hoff
- Independent music maker
world on awareness concerning health,
”I think the best way the industry can
stress and other factors and ways
work at creating a sustainable healthy industry is by setting workshops with recognized record labels around the
The 73 Percent Report 21Record Union
90%
Who do you talk to?
90% 64% 31% 6% 6% 3% 2%
Clo
se fr
iend
s
Fam
ily m
embe
rs
Band
mem
bers
Man
ager
Mem
bers
in fo
rum
s
Reco
rd la
bel o
wne
r
A&R
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707
Answ
ers
Artists rather talk to privatethan professional contactsThose that were likely to talk about their mental health and wellbeing preferred to do this with private rather than professional contacts. Of the independent music makers who did talk to the people around them, nine out of ten (90%) claimed to talk to close friends and three out of five (64%) to family members, whereas only one out of three (31%) claimed to talk to band members and not even one out of ten (6%) to their manager.
21Openness around mental health
The 73 Percent Report 22Record Union
41%
Why is that so?
41% 33% 29% 21% 19% 15% 6%
I don
’t w
ant t
o sh
are
my
thou
ghts
with
oth
ers
Emba
rras
smen
t
Stig
mat
izat
ion
I don
’t ha
ve a
nyon
e to
talk
to
I’m n
ot re
ady
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
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ecor
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377
Answ
ers
Loneliness a reason whyartists do not talkThose who did not talk about their mental health and wellbeing did not do so mainly because they do not want to share their thoughts with other (41%). As many as one out of three (29%) said that they did not talk about their mental health and wellbeing because they do not have anyone to talk to.
22Openness around mental health
The 73 Percent Report 23Record Union
Mental healthcreates worry
Chapter 4
Phot
o: E
dwar
d C
isne
ros
The 73 Percent Report 24Record Union
61%
18–25 Years
Do you worry about yourmental health and wellbeing?
12%
8% 7% 3% 9%26%
31%
41%
53%
33%
1% 1% 1% 1% 1%61%
60%
52%
43%
57%
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
No No No No NoI don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
26–35 Years 36–45 Years 46+ Years Total
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wer
sSo
urce
: Rec
ord
Uni
on
Younger artists worry moreAlmost three out of five (57%) of the respondents said that they worry about their mental health and wellbeing. Younger artists in the age of 18-25 were even more likely to worry (61%).
24Mental health creates worry
The 73 Percent Report 25Record Union
”I think if we redefined what it meansto be successful and made it easierfor musicians to make moneydoing what they love we would seea mentally healthier world of creators.”
Mental health creates worry
Phot
o: Jo
ao S
ilas- Independent music maker
The 73 Percent Report 26Record Union
41%
16% 41% 17% 13% 10% 3%
Arou
nd o
nce
a da
y
Seve
ral t
imes
a d
ay
Seve
ral t
imes
a w
eek
Seve
ral t
imes
a m
onth
Less
than
mon
thly
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
How often do you worry?
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ecor
d U
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847
Answ
ers
Some artists worry everydayThere is no clear pattern in how often independent music makers worry, however two out of five (41%) claimed to worry several times per day.
26Mental health creates worry
The 73 Percent Report 27Record Union
67%
67% 60% 55% 42% 40% 38% 8% 7% 3%
Fear
of f
ailu
re
Fina
ncia
l ins
tabi
lity
Pres
sure
to s
ucce
ed
Pres
sure
to d
eliv
er
Bein
g ev
alua
ted
by o
ther
s
Lone
lines
s
Subs
tanc
e ab
use
Alco
hol a
buse
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
Which of the following aspects do you worry about in relation to your music creation?
Sour
ce: R
ecor
d U
nion
847
Answ
ers
Failure and moneymain reasons to worryFear of failure and financial instability were the two major drivers behind the respondents’ worries.
27Mental health creates worry
The 73 Percent Report 28Record Union
Prioritization ofmental health
Chapter 5
Phot
o: Ia
n Sc
hnei
der
The 73 Percent Report 29Record Union
78%
18–25 Years
Do you prioritize your mental health and wellbeing?
18%
13%
12%
9% 15%
30%
24%
16%
12%
25%
1% 1% 1% 1% 1%51%
62%
72%
78%
59%
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
No No No No NoI don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
26–35 Years 36–45 Years 46+ Years Total
1 489
Ans
wer
sSo
urce
: Rec
ord
Uni
on
More prioritizedamong older artistsOnly one out of two (51%) of the respondents in the age of 18-25 said that they prioritize their mental health and wellbeing, while more than three out of four (78%) in the age of 46 or higher said the same.
29Prioritization of mental health
The 73 Percent Report 30Record Union Prioritization of mental health
The negative content in music has an effect People are concerned with what sells, ratheron the life of the artist because they tend than what is good for artists and society,
”Lead people on a more positive and diseases, immortality, objectifying women,
to live out what they speak, such as drugs, and so they contribute to the degradation of
sustainable path. There is a demand and violence etc. But this is often what labels
adultery, fornication which can lead to youth and adult morality.”
a push for a negative lifestyle expression. and big shots want out because it sells.
Phot
o: A
ustin
Nei
ll- Independent music maker
The 73 Percent Report 31Record Union
63%
How do you do this?What would you like to invest more time into?
49%
45%
12%
36%
13%
9% 60%
39%
54%
51%
47%
63%
19%
43%
23%
14%
31%
12%
4% 34%
24%
32%
30%
23%
19%
13%
Wor
king
out
Taki
ng w
alks
Prac
ticin
g yo
ga
Med
itatin
g
Keep
ing
a di
ary
Usin
g he
alth
tech
Surr
ound
ing
mys
elf w
ith p
ositi
ve p
eopl
e
Taki
ng p
ause
s fr
om s
ocia
l med
ia
Hav
ing
enou
gh s
leep
Eatin
g w
ell
Refl e
ctin
g on
my
wor
k
Bein
g aw
are
of m
y fe
elin
gs a
nd m
enta
l sta
te
Seei
ng a
psy
chol
ogis
t or t
hera
pist
How do you do this What would you like to invest more time into?
48%
22%
Tryi
ng to
fi nd
bal
ance
bet
wee
n pr
ofes
sion
al a
nd p
rivat
e lif
e
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ecor
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881 A
nsw
ers
Awareness of feelingsand positive peopleOf those who claimed to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing, more than three out of five (63%) said that they do so by being aware of their feelings and mental state. Three out of five (60%) said that they do so by surrounding themselves with positive people.
31Prioritization of mental health
The 73 Percent Report 32Record Union
74%
21% 9% 27% 21% 19%2% 1% 0% 6% 2%12% 15% 23% 18% 16%
18–25 Years 26–35 Years 36–45 Years 46+ Years Total
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
No No No No NoYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
65% 74% 50% 55% 63%
Would you like to prioritize your mental health and wellbeing more than you are doing today?
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ce: R
ecor
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608
Answ
ers
Many want to prioritizemental health moreOut of those who claimed not to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing, more than three out of five (63%) said that they would like to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing more.
32Prioritization of mental health
The 73 Percent Report 33Record Union Prioritization of mental health
Phot
o: F
inn
gros
s M
aure
r
- Independent music maker
”Don’t stress everyone to be artists.
Many musicians just want to play and don’t
want to be in the middle of attention.”
The 73 Percent Report 34Record Union
63%
What would you like to focus more on?
55% 61% 15%63%17% 35% 34%29% 39%41% 59%8% 53%
Wor
king
out
Taki
ng w
alks
Prac
ticin
g yo
ga
Med
itatin
g
Keep
ing
a di
ary
Usin
g he
alth
tech
Surr
ound
ing
mys
elf w
ith p
ositi
ve p
eopl
e
Taki
ng p
ause
s fr
om s
ocia
l med
ia
Hav
ing
enou
gh s
leep
Eatin
g w
ell
Refl e
ctin
g on
my
wor
k
Bein
g aw
are
of m
y fe
elin
gs a
nd m
enta
l sta
te
Seei
ng a
psy
chol
ogis
t or t
hera
pist
43%
Tryi
ng to
fi nd
bal
ance
bet
wee
n pr
ofes
sion
al a
nd p
rivat
e lif
e
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ce: R
ecor
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Answ
ers
The need for basic thingsThose who said that they would like to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing more, would preferably do so by working out, having enough sleep, eating well and surrounding themselves with positive people.
34Prioritization of mental health
The 73 Percent Report 35Record Union
The music industry andmental health
Chapter 6
Phot
o: A
na G
rave
The 73 Percent Report 36Record Union
57%
31% 26% 34% 32% 30%1% 1% 2% 1% 1%46% 57% 52% 54% 50%
18–25 Years 26–35 Years 36–45 Years 46+ Years Total
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t kn
ow
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
I don
’t w
ant t
o sa
y
No No No No NoYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
22% 16% 12% 13% 19%
Do you think the music industry is working to create a sustainable music climate with healthy artists?
1 489
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wer
sSo
urce
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The industry could do moreOnly one out of five (19%) said that the music industry is working to create a sustainable music climate with healthy artists.
36The music industry and mental health
The 73 Percent Report 37Record Union
people who are quick to noticeany of the aforementioned symptoms.”
The music industry and mental health
they were human beings withfeelings. Regular check-ups and
”Stop treating artists as products100% of the time and talk to them like
Phot
o: H
anny
Nai
baho
- Independent music maker
The 73 Percent ReportRecord Union Record Union
Liberating music since 2008www.recordunion.com
Contact
Helena AruPR & Communications [email protected]+46 709 18 95 01