Talk Show – Going Through the Emotions

It’s that sense of human connection and belonging which is so critical for wellbeing.

Bursting through South London’s ever expanding music scene, Talk Show are making their mark.

What has been your biggest life challenge so far and what did you do to overcome it?

It’s difficult to pinpoint this to one specific thing.

Whenever I’ve struggled with things in the past, it helps to take things one step at a time.

What do you think affects your mental health positively?

Keeping busy with projects that I’m interested in.

I just started to help run a kid’s ukulele club on Saturdays which I absolutely love.

It’s helped me realise how important it is to surround yourself with new and different groups of people.

Music is great as it’s inherently social.

My number one lockdown goal is to learn to DJ. YouTube tutorials are my new best friend for now.

And negatively?

Bad habits and obsessing over things.

I’ve got better at being strict and telling myself I’m overthinking things but it’s still tough.

It’s much harder when I haven’t been looking after myself.

Drinking too much and not getting enough sleep definitely takes its toll after a while.

This is obviously a massive issue in the music industry and there’s way more that can be done. Looking out for each other as fellow musicians and being aware that it can be difficult for everyone at times is hugely important.

What role does creativity play in your wellbeing? 

Creating music undoubtedly plays a big role in keeping me sane.

Studying psychology at university didn’t provide much opportunity for a creative outlet

It wasn’t until my third year that I met Harrison [Swann, vocals and guitar] and started playing again.

Thank god that Talk Show came along, really.

I’m starting a PhD in musical development in September

It’s going to involve creating musical games for primary school kids, to assess their musical skills.

We are aiming to make them as fun and interactive as possible, using dancing and clapping and facial expressions to assess emotional understanding of music.

This creative freedom has been essential to maintaining my motivation in research.

I guess most people feel the same about their work.

The more you are able to put your own stamp on things the more satisfaction you get from working on it.

Bouncing ideas off other people is an important part of this process, though.

Working with others contributes to a collective sense of well-being that I don’t believe can be achieved any other way.

What are you reading, watching and listening to at the moment?

George [Sullivan, bass] just lent me ‘Oryx and Crake’ by Margaret Atwood.

The dystopian vibe is freaking me out a bit considering the pandemic we are facing and the climate crisis, but I guess that’s sort of the point.

What’s your go to music if you need a boost?

Anything up-beat with a bad-ass gal behind it.

I’ve got a playlist that’s got Confidence Man, Lizzo and Yaeji on it, amongst others.

I love that Soulwax remix of ‘Work It’ by Marie Davidson as well. So good.

What are your favourite foods?

I love cinnamon and raisin bagels but I had to stop buying them because I was eating three a day.

Do you like to exercise or meditate at all?

I’ve got really into yoga and meditation over the past couple of years.

I use Headspace for meditation and couldn’t recommend it enough.

On my breaks at work, especially when it’s sunny, I sit on a small log in the alleyway behind the chip shop and meditate.

The chefs tend to throw stuff at me to try and distract me, but I’m getting better at ignoring them.

I also like swimming, especially cold-water swimming.

When I lived in Devon, me and pals used to stay in our friend’s caravan on a field in Dartmoor over the summer.

We’d wake up after a terrible nights sleep and go for a swim in a river at the bottom of the hill.

It was freezing but you came out feeling fresh as a daisy.

I am adamant that there is no better way to cure a hangover.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received in regards to your mental wellbeing?  

Don’t stress over little things you’ve done or said, because no one cares apart from you. They’re too busy worrying about themselves.

How have you changed since 15, and what advice would you give to that person?

Jeez – seems like a lifetime ago.

I’d say care less about what everyone else thinks and be confident in yourself.

You got this.

Also, don’t start smoking. You’ll thank me later.