MENTAL HEALTH + THE MUSIC BUSINESS

My recent life story, future dreams, and temporary break up with social media

"Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise." - Frank Ocean

Okay, so ... real talk. Being a musician in the modern world is eating away at my mental health.

The nice thing, though, is that talking about mental health can be therapeutic. I want to share a bit of my story to tell you why you might not see me around for a bit and the honest truth about where I'm at in my 'career'.

Have you ever wondered why artists are often associated with being tormented? I believe that's because we are systematically kept away from doing what we want to do - create. Not making money as a musician and "doing it for the love" is 💯% valid. It's also taxing.

You don't stop growing older. Inflation doesn't stop rising. Your longing for financial security doesn't disappear. Yet, you pour hours/ days/ weeks/ years into doing what you love. Because you love it.

For me, and for a lot of other people I know, the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene is more than music. It's home. The dance floor is where so many of us have found acceptance and connection.

I feel very lucky to participate in and contribute to this feeling of home. Right now, I'm just trying to figure out how to make music, make a living, and create some inner peace.

Personally, striking that balance means taking a big step back from performing and participating in social media. I love to do things LOUD. I 💕love💕love💕love💕 rallying all the beautiful IZBO fam and playing big shows that bring everyone together. The shows I've played are truly some of my fondest memories.

Now, I feel like I'm turning a corner. A few things have shifted for me. First, I'm determined not to fall victim to the starving artist motif. After getting laid off from my corporate marketing job in February, I started thinking about how I can leverage my business skills for my own gain.

In July, I launched a business (what, like it's hard?). No, really ... it's hard. Basically I'm sick of getting shoved around by our reckless economy and I'm taking matters into my own hands. My new eCommerce business is called Awakened Creations™ (trademark pending because we don't half ass things around here).

Second, I recognize that - while I ADORE DJing - I would be doing myself a disservice by just continuing to DJ. The reason I first got into music is to sing. DJing has been the awesome beautiful springboard I needed to get out there and 'make a name'. It's also been easy to pour myself into DJing so I could distract myself from doing the deeper work of singing and songwriting.

I am not turning my back on DJing. But I am taking a break. Because ... the third way I'm trying to evolve as an artist is by eliminating distractions. Let me tell you, it is a mind f@*k to study marketing and also be an artist. I honestly can no longer separate what I'm doing just for the gram and what I'm doing because it's in the best interest of my music.

That's the part that I've finally figured out. The root of why I feel so depleted by this journey right now. I have gotten too entrenched in the performance, the likes, the reach ... that I haven't spent enough time going inward and just creating for the sake of creating.

So ... now what?

Time to work. Not on a new set. Not on a new post. Time to work on music. My music. Time to face down all of the inner criticisms and push into true creation mode.

And it's time to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU. The fact that you took the time to read this means you support and care about this project. I can't tell you how much that means.

See you on the flip side!

💋xoxo,

IZBO