Chair: Rachael Lander [Musician and Trustee - Music Support]
Speakers: Grant Hutchison [Musician - Frightened Rabbit / The Twilight Sad], David John Fidler [Addiction Consultant and Psychotherapist] & Aiitee [Artist/Singer-Songwriter]
Music Support, the charity that helps anyone who works in the UK music industry experiencing challenges with substance use and/or mental health, is currently supporting the highest number of beneficiaries since they were established in 2016. They have experienced a 51% increase in volume to their Helpline in the last year alone with alcohol and substances presenting the biggest challenge closely followed by anxiety, depression, burnout and ADHD/Neurodivergence.
Please join us for an open and honest discussion with professionals from the worlds of music and mental health who will share their lived experience and insights on how to navigate the pressures of the industry. We will also discuss the various services provided by Music Support from their confidential Helpline and provision of assessments and treatment to training in Mental Health First Aid and their new Family and Friends service, providing support and resources to loved ones (including colleagues) of those struggling with problematic drinking, drug use or other addictions.
Speaker Information:
Rachael Lander [Musician & Trustee - Music Support]
Rachael Lander is a session cellist based in London. She can be found most days performing in one of several theatre pits in the West End or in recording studios scoring music for albums, TV and film. She’s performed live backing for artists such as George Michael, Beyonce and Elbow, and is also a regular player in the London Chamber Orchestra. Rachael began her career in Raven String Quartet who enjoyed several highlights including performing with Madness in the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, and touring the Far East and South America.
Rachael is a recovering alcoholic. She got sober at 23 when crippling performance anxiety led her to abuse alcohol and beta blockers to the point where she could no longer perform. She has been very open about her relationship with alcohol and her experience of performance anxiety in the press. She has taken part in three documentaries about her experience of alcoholism and recovery and as a result is inundated with correspondence from fellow classically trained musicians who are struggling with the same issues she did, which is why Rachael is a passionate member of the Music Support team.
Grant Hutchison [Musician - Frightened Rabbit & The Twilight Sad]
Grant Hutchison is a Scottish musician best known for his time as the drummer for indie rock band, Frightened Rabbit, which he joined in 2006 alongside his brother, Scott. The band gained significant acclaim for their heartfelt and relatable music, particularly with breakthrough album "The Midnight Organ Fight" and their first major label release with Atlantic Records "Pedestrian Verse." Throughout his career, he has been celebrated for his energetic performances and his ability to connect with audiences, both live and through recording.
Following Scott’s tragic passing in 2018, Grant has actively worked to honour his brother's legacy while exploring new musical avenues and supporting mental health awareness initiatives. In 2018, Grant and his family set up ‘Tiny Changes,’ Scotland’s first mental health charity with a focus on children and young people, named after a Frightened Rabbit lyric. As a trustee until 2021, Grant oversaw the implementation of several campaigns and the Tiny Changes covid related funding for communities and individuals most affected by the pandemic.
Grant is currently playing drums for The Twilight Sad and continues to passionately campaign for better resources for issues related to addiction and mental health.
David John Fidler [Addiction Consultant & Psychotherapist]
David John Fidler is a Glasgow-based Psychotherapist who runs his own practice. He has previously worked for the Department for International Development (DIFD), travelling the world from Africa to India, experiencing the impact of poverty and addiction in all its forms regardless of class, race or gender. His primary focus throughout this time was staff development, particularly at an emotional level. He has a BSc in Psychology, a diploma in Counselling and Group Work and an MSc in Drugs and Alcohol: Policy and Intervention. David has been in 12 step recovery since 1st December 1989, enabling him to live his life in ways he never thought possible.
Aiitee [Artist/Singer-songwriter]
AiiTee is a young singer/songwriter based in Aberdeen, Scotland. She started releasing music in 2020 in the heart of the Covid-19 Lockdown with several singles from her Debut EP “Love don’t Fall” that was shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the year in 2021. Her second EP “Better Days” was consecutively shortlisted in 2022. Amongst her accolades are a SAMA nomination in “Best Live Act” and PBS “Best New Comer” in 2022. Her music is primarily afroRnB, however AiiTee enjoys experimenting and being versatile with her sound. She has had multiple airplay from reputable stations like BBC Radio, BBC 1xtra, BBC introducing, Amazing Radio and very recently power106fm.
ABOUT MUSIC SUPPORT
Music Support is a registered UK charity that helps peers who work in music and live events experiencing challenges around substance use and/or mental health. Founded in 2016 by people from within the music industry, our team have all been impacted personally by these issues and seen friends, colleagues and heroes lose their careers, families and even their lives. Our core services include training in Mental Health First Aid and Addiction and Recovery Awareness to empower individuals to look after the wellbeing of their colleagues (and themselves), Support Services to include a confidential Helpline and provision of assessments and treatment, ‘Safe Hubs’ backstage at festivals, providing a space for artists and crew to take time out and speak to Mental Health First Aid trained staff and our new Family and Friends Service, designed to help loved ones (including colleagues) of those supporting someone with mental ill-health, problematic drinking, drug use or other addictions. For further information visit www.musicsupport.org