Jeordie is the Programmes Lead at the charity Tonic Music providing mental health support to the music industry and music fans. School and Jeordie didn’t get on - except for Mr.Harris the sociology teacher who encouraged his path into sociology. His psychology and sociology dissertation at uni was inspired by the death of Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots - why do these entertainers that give us so much enjoyment struggle with mental health? He’s since published a book chapter on mental health in the music business, and gone on to a pHD. And this led him to a job at Tonic Music. They started with music workshops for the local community in Portsmouth in 2012, and gig buddy programmes. Now it's a national charity. Tonic Rider now provides support to musicians via an online support service. They are supported by artists like Libertines, Amy Beesting (OMG It’s The Church), Barry Ashworth (Dub Pistols), and Terry Hall from The Specials. The charity is for anyone from buskers to bands playing stadiums. Musicians need support because they have to create and perform their art which brings unique stresses - regular negative feedback, performance anxiety, hyper-competition among other things. Even Sir Paul McCartney still gets performance anxiety! What is it that makes musician’s susceptible to substance use? Tonic have been providing support to venues around the country, backstage, for staff, and the audience, with posters with links for support. Cradle of Filth and Ed Sheeran - will it happen? Big up the new Essex bands - Monumental, Myopia, Pet Needs, Meffs, Gasoline Green, Bridget, She’s In Parties, Fraser Morgan, Monster Florence, Rad Pitt, Slay Duggee. Musical history suffers from rockism, where other genres like bhangra and drill are overlooked in their cultural importance. Pick up some Tonic Music merch at a gig and help to fund them, and also meet them and get talking about mental health.

Tonic Music
Tonic Music on Insta

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

Neil is in a band with his 77 year old grandad Ken - Ken and Neil McDonnell. Playing 50s and 60s rock and roll. They’ve already made three albums in their first two years. Ken is a tough creative lead and has a clear vision of how he wants audio, image etc. for the band. He is motivated to be productive while he ‘still has his faculties’. Ken gave Neil his first guitar when he was 10, and ever since they’ve been jamming at family gatherings. There is a band with a parrot singer called Hatebeak. Chat about ALL the Black Sabbath covers bands - Mac Sabbath, Bat Sabbath, Zakk Sabbath. The joy of playing music together and bonding with your family. Big up Card Trick Music. Ken loves sending ideas for songs over WhatsApp, he doesn’t stop thinking about music and lyrics. Ken does not eat Werther’s Original, he still has too much to do in his life. Neil also plays ice hockey, for Chelmsford Reapers, but is a very gentle soul. Ken is also a very chilled guy. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles chat. Batman chat. Will Ken and Neil ever play a gig? Probably not. Ken has mostly been playing music for himself his whole life, apart from one song at Butlins. Nick has a good story about Stephen Mulhern. We talk about Take That, Clacton Butlins, Chelmsford Spectacular, Eurovision, Pitbull. Creating a digital record of older generations, recording songs and stories to listen to in the future. Neil’s Mum is deaf, and he loves that she can feel the vibrations of bass when he plays. Adelle’s picture has been on Lorraine for the Trans Is Human campaign - we're not worthy!

Ken and Neil on Instagram
Ken and Neil on Spotify

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

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Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK

What does an art director do? They make things look nice! Having visual ideas, organising photoshoots, video, social media, layouts, typography, Ben even designed the HEAT Magazine logo…. Ooooo! Telling the story visually is essential. The features editor will assign a celebrity and a small time frame to shoot images for the magazine. The art director has to have ideas, and arrange the photography shoot. A creative director will lead people on their team to come up with great ideas. How do you ask celebrities to do crazy things for photos on set? Working with Alan Carr and making silly photos. Finding a way to visually achieve things on a small budget - the DIY attitude - learned from skateboarding. Constraints make the best work. What do you do when a celebrity turns up and says NO to the ideas? How do you get 30 celebrities in the same picture at the National Television Awards? Ben thrives from pressure and short deadlines. Fixing photoshoots that didn’t go so well. Ben loves AI, any tool that allows him to create and experiment. Working with Katie Price is always fun. Navigating selects and approvals for photos on set. Ben wanted to be a musician and his band Elemental Child supported Oasis at Chelmsford Army & Navy! WOW! His school didn’t really encourage art, but he heard about Art College and did a Foundation Course. A great creative time in his life - the art foundation opens up opportunities to learn about all creative and arts disciplines - its a sandbox. A great place to meet other artists and creatives. Putting a giant Monster Munch in formaldehyde for art. Dealing with impostor syndrome as you progress in your career. Back-filling your artistic reasons for making something that looks good. Creatively hacking a final dissertation to do less work. Stick a horse on it! Being told ‘go create’ is the most amazing thing. Having self-belief but staying humble. Challenging yourself and thinking your best work is still ahead of you. Embracing AI in creativity. Nick and Ben LOVE AI! Using AI to make pottery. Being lied to by AI.

Ben on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos

Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA for their support

Recorded in Chelmsford, Essex, UK