Speakers: Kezia Racher [Help Musicians & Music Minds Matter], Sharon Stephen [Industry Liason - Help Musicians] & Duglas T. Stewart [Aritst - BMX Bandits]
Kezia (facilitator) and Sharon (clinician) will be joined by Help Musicians beneficiary Duglas T. Stewart to discuss the ups and downs of working in music, the impact that can have on a musician’s mental health and how Music Minds Matter from Help Musicians can be accessed to help those in the industry in need of support.
Sharon Stephen [Artist Liason - Help Musicians]
With over 20 years’ experience across Scotland’s music and creative industries, it would be through her experiences and current role as an Artist Liaison for UK charity Help Musicians where Sharon would realise her true passion which was to work with artists and creatives in in a therapeutic capacity. Sharon is now both a Transformational Coach with Freedom & Joy Wellness and practicing Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT).
Kezia Racher [Counsellor - Help Musicians]
Kezia has worked for Help Musicians for almost 7 years and is part of the Music Minds Matter charity, which provides a range of services around mental health and emotional well-being to those who work in the music industry. She was involved in setting up the Music Minds Matter 24-hour support line which launched in December 2017 and has been part of the service ever since. She has worked in the charity sector for over 30 years, developing, delivering and managing services which provide information, advocacy, emotional support and counselling. She is a qualified counsellor and trainer.
Duglas T. Stewart [Artist - BMX Bandits]
Duglas T Stewart mini biog.Since 1985 Duglas has been the leader and chief songwriter of BMX Bandits, who The Guardian called “Britain’s ultimate cult group”. Kurt Cobain famously said “If I could be in any other band, it would be BMX Bandits”.
BMX Bandits have released 16 albums internationally. Duglas has collaborated with music legends including Dan Penn, Chip Taylor, Alex Chilton and Kim Fowley. The latest BMX Bandits single Razorblades & Honey is a collaboration with Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Hifi Sean. Duglas is also very experienced in the world of broadcasting, having been a producer, A.P. and music consultant on BBC television output including The Beat Room, Top of the Pops Saturday, Comedy Connections, The Saturday Show and T in the Park (live coverage).
In 2013 and 2014 Duglas co-wrote and played one of the leads in the Tartan Features film Wigilia. The film was screened at festivals across the U.K., in the U.S.A. and Poland. Duglas recently completed his first movie score, for the Independent psychological horror feature film Dreaded Light. Dreaded Light is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the U.K. and U.S.A.
Duglas and BMX Bandits are subjects of the acclaimed documentary features Teenage Superstars and Serious Drugs. BMX Bandits were featured in the 2018 National Museum of Scotland exhibition on the history of Scottish rock and pop, Rip It Up, and the accompanying BBC TV series. BMX Bandits are currently working on their latest album Dreamers on the Run, to be released in 2024.