Tuesday, December 20th, 2022. 

Hey, it’s TJ Miller, you want some game? Let's Tip Unda The Hat!  

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I was going to write about holiday music, especially since I have one of the funnest (yep I said funnest) Christmas songs released this year called Scatmans’s Fish & Grits; seriously you need to hear it and spread it like butter. However, in light of what happened with DJ Twitch (RIP), I thought it necessary to talk about stress in the life of musicians. Additionally, let’s face it, holiday times can sometimes be the most stressful time of the year. In the book Murder By The Collar, singer Sam Crystal feels he has been abandoned by God who gave him the gift of song but won’t give him an opportunity to use that gift. Moreover, he was placed in a toxic environment that did not allow that gift to flourish. Such is the life of many musicians. You listen to the radio and hear what you consider some of the worst music on earth. Here you are with mad talent, but can’t get a break, when is your turn? Then life happens, kids, bills bills, and more bills and nobody wants to hear your music. You have to get a noncreative job, waking up every morning wondering why don’t they like my music? All they want to hear is AI rappers, autotune singers, or drug dealers turned rappers only because they had the money to “pop bottles” with the right record executives. I could go on for hours, but the reality is, this is depressing, especially if you don’t have a support system. Especially if your music is really good, and you aren’t just saying so because it’s yours. Not making the mark is not the only source of depression for musicians either; Successful, prominent superstars have felt the bite of depression or other mental illness. Think it can’t weigh on you if you have the number 1 record in the world, on tour selling out stadiums and be broke. It’s a lot to carry. But sticking with us, the DIY community, hypebot.com reports that 73% of independent musicians have experienced negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to their career, says a new study which surveyed 1500 indie artists. Among those 18-25 the number rose to 80%. A full 33% have also experienced panic attacks. Fear of failure, financial instability, loneliness and the pressure to succeed are given as main drivers.  

There are four aspects of high sensitivity according to Dr. Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. Those with the trait of high sensitivity like us musicians, demonstrate these aspects more than those without it. Depth of processing. Processing things differently and more deeply. Overstimulation. Being aware of more stimuli and thus more easily overwhelmed by it. Emotional responsivity (or empathy). Feeling things – good and bad – more deeply and having a wider range of emotional responses. Sensitive to subtleties. Noticing more things on more levels. 

A 2018 landmark study of artists found that musicians are three times more likely to experience depression and anxiety.  Effectively managing stress is a full-time job. You have to manage your stress on a daily basis, particularly if you suffer with depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. That can feel overwhelming, but I can attest that the hard work is worth it – for you, your loved ones, your work, and your art. Whatever it takes, meds, meditation, long walks, white noise...whatever just do it. 

What we know is that day-to-day stress doesn’t cause depression and anxiety, typically; but it can exacerbate it. You know like someone saying something small that totally takes you over the edge. Stress today comes in many forms, the pandemic, quarantine, fear of failing, loss of income, family, being a creative in a world of non creatives who just don’t get that what’s in your head is all that you have to be all that you are. And them watching you smile, make music, dance or whatever makes them think that you are ok. It’s up to you to tell them you aren't.  

What can you do? Play music of course, not music for a project, just music that feeds your soul, eat healthy, change the way your look at things and be ok if you don’t get it. 

Now this was not to depress you, but for you to know what your triggers are, address them, feel comfortable calling and talking to someone about it and never never ever stop playing singing rapping and grooving, and don’t let outside forces speak louder to you than you do to yourself, no matter how close they are to you. Lastly if you need it dial 988 the suicide lifeline or 1800 273-8255.

Merry Christmas y’all!! This is the last one for the year. I’ll repost some of the ones that people ask about.  

Johnnie Walker, Robert N. Johnson, and I are back live on Clubhouse tomorrow. Who was Santa Claus for you?  We’ll have some fun talking about this and holiday music. Click the link and add us to your calendar “Untold Tales of the music industry.”   

This week's #IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week - MrTJ Miller - Yep, we get these Fish & Grits a record 4 weeks in a row!! Yeah it’s Christmas time so let’s all just click it, play it and like it, Santa Claus 🎅🏾would want you to. 😆 Download this one and play it at the office Christmas party. Don’t be afraid to fry up a big mess of fish and boil some grits. For more information on this or to hire Unda The Hat as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next Tuesday.