According to a new study*, 73 percent of independent music makers have experienced negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to their music creation. To take action, Record Union is donating $30,000 to enable projects that aim to prevent or treat mental illness among music makers. Entrepreneurs and other initiative takers can submit their project(s) on a temporary site. An expert panel** will have the final say in which projects that will receive the donation.

In a recently conducted study* comprising almost 1500 independent music makers, 33 percent said that they have experienced panic attacks. 73 percent said that they have experienced anxiety and 69 percent said that they have experienced depression.

– The fact that mental illness is a big problem within the music industry doesn’t come as a surprise to most people. The challenge has been raised before and we’ve seen different initiatives and talks on the topic, but we need more action. We believe that more players and people need to do their part if we should be able to achieve a healthier music climate, says Johan Svanberg, CEO of Record Union.

– Record Union has been part of the music industry for more than a decade by providing digital music distribution. Our aim has always been to make the music industry more democratic, accessible and transparent by breaking down different barriers. Right now, we see mental illness among music makers as one of the most critical challenges that the industry needs to defeat and it can’t be done by itself, says Johan Svanberg.

Between the 7th of May and the 2nd of June, entrepreneurs will be able to submit projects on the73percent.com. The criteria for the submitted projects are that they have a clear connection to mental health and the music industry. Artists and other interested will, between the 3rd and 16th of June, be able to vote for their favorite projects. The 10 projects with the most votes will meet a panel of experts**, who will decide on what projects that will receive the donation. Their decision will be presented in July at latest.

– Since we’re not working with mental health on a daily basis, we have decided to bring in some experts from different fields to help us allocate the money to where it can make the biggest impact. I’m very honored to work with each individual of this expert panel, together for a healthier music climate, says Johan Svanberg.

**The expert panel

Natalie Shamoun. Independent artist from New York who loves music production. When she’s not doing music, she’s working as a freelance multi-disciplinary marketer with experience in social media, design, client services and branding. She has worked at two different record labels doing various type of marketing, all from grassroots to digital.

Joe Barnby. Doctoral researcher at King’s College in London, researching the neuroscience and psychology of belief and delusion formation. He holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Science and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Neuroscience. Joe is also a research scientist at a mental health technology company and is frequently giving talks on mental health and neuroscience.

Aleksandra Avli. Founder and CEO of HON (Her Online Network) giving women opportunities to be heard and seen for professional and personal connection and collaboration world-wide. HON is not a social media platform based on likes and followers, it’s a real-life tool for positive collaboration and community building- and for the benefit of female leadership and growth.HON’s mission is to foster authentic connections and infuse collaboration where women grow professionally through a personal community.

Johan Wahlbäck. True serial entrepreneur. After starting his first company SwedeSwetes at the age of 15, almost 35 years ago, he has never turned back from his entrepreneurial lifestyle. After founded and developed brands such as Kronan® Bicycle/Prams, Singelringen®, and the audio lifestyle company Urbanista®, he is now running the audio company Defunc since 2015.

From Record Union, Helena Aru (PR & Communications Manager) and Johan Svanberg (CEO) will take part in the expert panel.P

*Record Union – The 73 Percent Report, 2019

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