“I wrote this song because it’s been the hardest year for me mentally. I feel myself changing and throughout my life I’ve never felt good enough, it’s been the main thing that on the one hand has driven me forward but on the other, has eaten me up. For as long as I can remember I have felt constantly afraid of how quickly my head can turn dark.

“It’s always been so hard to fight the darkness that I inevitably have. A lot of people will say it’s a phase and it will go away. But it doesn’t and the reality of the situation is I have to find strategies to allow it to exist and to deal with it as a constant.

“A lot of us can feel like our lives are insignificant. We can feel like we have no purpose, so what is there to live for? The inexplicable darkness inside our heads can consume us. It can make it hard to get out of bed in the morning, force us to cancel plans, or back out of opportunities last minute.

“This song was written as a message to myself to try and exist alongside my insecurities and my darkness by grounding myself and remembering what is real in life and that the world is so much bigger than me.

“In the past my art has been about highlighting the pain and letting the world know that it is there, in order to relate to others but now I want to beat it. This song is a gateway to where my new music is heading. Embracing the light, realising what’s beautiful in the world and fighting the darkness – not wallowing in it.

“It’s about getting out of your head and noticing the world around you, the things and people. Connect with them, the chances are they probably feel the same. Don’t let the bullshit inside your head consume you. It just wastes precious time and life potential.

“Remember what is real. Help people, be kind, help the world, help yourself. You’re probably living more than you think.”

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The song is set to be accompanied by a short film which was based on an original idea from YUNGBLUD himself and it stars actress Hariett Walter from ‘Succession’ and ‘Ted Lasso’. It is set to premier on YouTube tonight at 7pm BST.

The Yorkshire singer recently announced his own affordable festival BludFest which will take place at the Milton Keynes Bowl on the 11th of August and will see the likes of Lil Yachty, Soft Play and The Damned play.

Tonic Water is a mental health charity that was founded in 2012 based in the south coast of England. It was created as ‘a direct response to the lack of creative support for people experiencing mental health difficulties. It was founded upon the belief that participation in music and the arts can aid you in your recovery from mental illness.’

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Tonic Rider will provide guides, mental health first aid training and suicide prevention training to grassroots venues and in-person support stands at music venues and festivals. There will also be videos, blogs and podcast as well as virtual peer support groups during the lockdown period. Mental health professionals have got on board, providing much needed support via e-mail to those seeking advice and help from the programme.  

Ashworth and Hall are both patrons of the Tonic Rider.Ashworth stated his cause for becoming an ambassador to Musicweek, stating “Among my music circle, it’s been devastating to lose friends to suicide since the pandemic. People have lost their livelihoods, their identities, their confidence and have feelings of anxiety, depression and feelings of hopelessness”. The singer covered New Order’s ‘Blue Monday’ with  Canadian artist Dubmatix and dub producer Gaudi to raise funds for the programme.   

Similarly, Hall stated his deteriorated mental state during the lockdown period, telling Musicweek “these are terribly testing times for those of us with mental health issues. My mental health deteriorated towards the end of last year. The thing that got me through was communication. If you’re suffering, then it is incredibly important to tell people, family, friends, doctors, Tonic.”   Terry Hall has been involved with the charity previously, with The Specials funding the Tonic Water Ska choir through their 2019 Encore album launch.  

 

 

 

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Adam Ficek who is the drummer in Babyshambles will be delivering group sessions in the Tonic Rider, using his own experiences within the music industry and as a psychotherapist. He stated in the press release, ‘I look forward to using my own experiences as a musician and psychotherapist to develop a much-needed resource for everyone in the music industry.’ Tonic Rider was piloted at 100 Club in London and the Wedgerooms in Portsmouth with organisers wishing to roll out the programme to green rooms, festivals and Night Time Industries Association members.

With the pandemic affecting musicians and those in the music industry the most, Tonic Rider aims to provide support to all and advise those who see friends, band members or colleagues suffering. As Ashworth states, ‘With the music industry on its knees and many people having lost their livelihoods, it [Tonic Rider] is needed now more than ever.”