SUPPORT ACT & LEVI’S® PARTNER ON
NEW MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN
‘Tune Ups’ content series to feature Australian artists and music industry leaders and identities, including rapper Briggs, manager Maggie Collins, and Amity Affliction’s Joel Birch
Hitting mental health head on, driving awareness for the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline amongst the music and creative industries
Music industry charity Support Act and iconic denim brand Levi’s® today announced the launch of a powerful new video series, Tune Ups: Mindfulness tips for musos and more. The series is produced by youth media company VICE.
Aimed at tackling the alarming statistics around mental health in the music industry, the six part series will provide support and raise awareness of the new Wellbeing Helpline for artists and music workers in need of help.
Featuring rapper Briggs, DZ Deathrays manager Maggie Collins, The Amity Affliction’s Joel Birch, Select Music’s Stephen Wade, Alex the Astronaut and stage manager Cam Batten, Tune Ups highlights singer/songwriters, stage managers and agency heads who already practice ways to look after their mental health and wellbeing. From heading off the beaten track to appreciating native flora, to turning the kitchen into a comfort food factory.
“Everything with music is so unplanned and that seems overwhelming at times, because you don’t have a structured 9-5 schedule,” says Alex the Astronaut. “I get frazzled, panicking that I’m going to miss a flight or a set time…but I’ve found that doing half an hour in the gym can really change your day, even if you don’t do a lot.”
“A few years ago if you had a problem you would sort it out yourself,” Cam Batten added. “I’m stoked that you don’t do that now. Men can actually sit down now and go, you know what? I’ve got a problem. That’s good.”
The six Tune Ups videos will be featured on Vice Music channel Noisey, and other social media platforms, and can be accessed via the Support Act Home Page – supportact.org.au. Click below for a video preview of the campaign.
“We are very grateful to Nicky Rowsell and Levi’s for being the driving force behind the campaign,” said Clive Miller, CEO Support Act. “Tune Ups highlights how important it is for all of us to be aware of our mental health, and provides some great examples of how people in our industry manage their wellbeing. We hope it inspires anyone who maybe doing it tough to know that they are not alone, and that they can reach out to our free, confidential Wellbeing Helpline at any time on on 1800 959 500 if they want to talk to someone about any aspect of their wellbeing.”
Levi’s® partnered with Support Act and Alberts (through the Tony Foundation) in late 2017, to support the establishment of the Wellbeing Helpline as a critical first step to help Australian artists with their mental health.
“The creation of the ‘Tune Ups’ campaign came from a place of wanting to raise awareness and break down the stigma around mental health. It is such an important health issue that we face as a society generally speaking; but the statistics are substantially higher within the music and creative community and so we felt a social responsibility to further give back to create this content piece.
“We are really happy with the results and would like to thank our six artists and music industry workers for their honesty and participation. I truly hope that this can make a difference ” said Nicky Rowsell, Levi’s® Marketing Manager / Australia & New Zealand.
The full Tune Ups cast:
Briggs
Among his ARIA, APRA and triple j awards, his many writing and acting credits, and his sterling Twitter banter, Briggs has proven himself (again and again and again) to be one of Australia’s most significant voices. And with that, comes great responsibility. Briggs finds solace and satisfaction in taking time out for himself, including here with his barber.
Joel Birch
Joel Birch is a photographer, illustrator, mural maker and perhaps, most famously, frontman of The Amity Affliction. He speaks openly and honestly about his coping mechanisms, which include drawing and photography.
Maggie Collins
On the odd occasion that Maggie Collins isn’t buried in her laptop or waiting for a flight, as part of her job managing artists like DZ Deathrays and The Creases or programming the artist lineup for BIGSOUND, you’ve got an okay chance of finding her in the kitchen—making comfort food, and a bit of a mess—where she says her mental health gets a refresh.
Stephen Wade
Stephen Wade’s twenty-something years in the business, and his thirteen years as owner of behemoth artist agency Select Music, has given him many a view behind the curtain of Australia’s music business—and beyond. Still, “mental health is the most important issue in the whole industry”, he says.
Alex the Astronaut
Alex the Astronaut released her first record while living in New York on a soccer scholarship. So maybe it’s not surprising that she finds respite in being physical—be it at the gym, on the field or, with a little help from a yoga app while touring.
Cam Batten
Once a roadie, Cam Batten now stage manages herculean projects like Falls Festival and A Day On The Green. While a big chunk of his time is spent on the road and focused on the job, Cam uses time alone to pursue his love of native plants in the cities he finds himself in. Meet Cam and the Everlasting Daisy.
ABOUT THE LEVI’S® BRAND
The Levi’s® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention in 1873, Levi’s® jeans have become the most recognizable and imitated clothing in the world – capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi’s® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Their range of leading jeanswear and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style.
For more information about the Levi’s® brand, its products and stores, please visit www.levis.com.au
ABOUT SUPPORT ACT
For the past 20 years, Support Act has provided support to artists and musicians who are experiencing some form of crisis. This can be due to financial hardship, ill-health, injury or mental health issues. Our goal is to provide breathing space to help people get back on track. We also provide support to pay for funerals; and we help service users and their friends to mobilise support from their networks through our Help a Mate program. The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a free, confidential 24/7 counselling service that is available to anyone working in Australian music who needs to talk to someone about any aspect of their wellbeing. It is available by calling 1800 959 500 or via supportact.org.au
