The subject of mental health is something we hold dear and the more ways of raising the issue, to encourage people to talk about their mental health, the more chance we have of helping them through their dark days.
We were delighted to receive the new single from Samuel Jack, "In My Head" which is based on his own experiences with mental health. Samuel is a unique and emotive storyteller whose rugged soulful vocals command the room. Raised on Blues, Motown, soul and roots music, the London born singer spent his formative years in Johannesburg with his Father, a film director.
‘In My Head’ is a song inspired by his own experiences with mental health. “For me, I struggled with depression and anxiety - and in my eyes, despite having a history of mental health issues in my family - I’m certain my issues were born through situation and subsequently has come to affect every aspect of my life. Romantic relationships, professional ones; it really took hold of me”.
Perhaps one of the biggest factors in Samuel's mental health was the stress he faced while working in high pressured Rosette and Michelin star kitchens, which have exacting demands, long hours and a great focus on attention to detail. This, combined with the lifestyle of a self-funding musician created a vicious cocktail that led him down a dark path, where he found himself thinking the only way to escape was to hurt himself.
The inspiration for the song is clear from the lyrics, with alcohol being the crutch to deal with the inner demons. "In My Head" is a soulful, powerful tune, contemporary and thumping. The vocals are delivered with the passion and emotion needed to bring the lyrics to life and the whole song takes the message in it's rawest form, there is no sugar-coating. There's no hiding behind fancy-pants lyrics and secret meanings - it brings the subject of mental health, of depression very much into the public eye, it gets into your face and orders you to listen, and it shines a light on this often shunned subject.
The musician is speaking out now, publicly for the first time to shine a light on the importance of recognising and helping others with mental health issues, as it can happen to anyone at anytime. “Fuck the stigma. We’re not all crazy, we just struggle inside sometimes”, expresses Jack. ‘In My Head’ is the musician’s way of venting about his frustrations and hopes that it may be of comfort for others, reminding them that they are not alone and we are all in this together.
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