“Embrace the here and now.”
What are you working on at the moment?
We’re pretty busy at the moment, prepping for a string of live shows around the country to promote a string of saucy new tracks we will soon be releasing. Musical activities aside, we’re working on bringing velvet man-leggings back into the mainstream. It’s an uphill battle.
What has been your biggest life challenge and what did you do to overcome it?
I don’t think there’s any point beating around the bush here, my biggest life challenge was in 2008/9 when I lost my brother and father to suicide. Gradually, over the years, I have become more self-aware of my own emotions which has helped me overcome the grief I experienced.
I wouldn’t say I have, or will ever fully overcome it, but clarity of mind has helped me reach the point where I am now.
How important has music been to your mental health?
Incredibly important. Music provides an escape, a world to get lost in. If I didn’t play music, or listen to music, I’d struggle.
What would constitute a ‘perfect’ day for you?
I love being outside, away from people and noise – so a day in the mountains would be pretty ideal. Sometimes it’s nice to just have time to yourself, and be confidently alone.
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
I feel grateful that I can live in a society free from conflict, have access to clean water, warmth, food. Y’know, just the simple things that too many people in the world don’t have.
Complete this sentence: “Ace mental health for me means…”
Ace mental health for me means being able to acknowledge that sometimes you feel great and sometimes you feel dreadful, but in that acknowledgment you can still embrace the here and now.
What do you eat to stay healthy?
Many apples.
Who was your best friend at school? What was the funniest thing they did?
I never had a ‘best friend’ at school, but I remember a classmate had a watch that doubled up as a TV remote… it took our teacher far too long to realise what the hell was going on when the channel kept changing from the dull educational video on Richard III to Jeremy Kyle…
What is your favourite motivational quote?
“Thumbs up everybody, for rock ‘n’ roll”.
What advice do you offer to friends when they are feeling overwhelmed?
Talk, talk some more.