Music and mental health: A conversation with Kingston musicians

Episode 83
Is the music industry a mental health hazard? This is one of the many questions explored in this episode, as Johnny and first-time co-host, Jermaine Marshall, explore the mental health and wellness challenges of writing, recording and performing music with local artists Ricky Brant—who writes, records and performs music as KaKaow (https://kingstonlive.ca/kakaow) (and hosts Musiikki Café's (https://kingstonlive.ca/musiikki-cafe) popular weekly open mic night)—and Rich Tyo of JukeBox County (https://kingstonlive.ca/jukebox-county) , who is also a professional psychotherapist (https://www.kingstonoutsidethebox.com/) . The conversation spans everything from substance abuse and addiction to grief and trauma, and covers topics ranging from self-care to professional help and even psychedelics treatment.


Chapters:
00:00:22 Episode overview
00:01:38 Guest and host introductions
00:03:15 Psychiatry vs. psychotherapy
00:04:44 Is the music industry a mental health hazard?
00:08:49 Music as an outlet for pain and trauma
00:12:34 Balancing artist image and authentic identity
00:15:42 Music as a mental health tool
00:18:21 The vulnerable act of making and sharing music
00:21:39 Reconciling religion and music
00:23:57 Opening the musical medicine cabinet
00:26:56 Processing feelings vs. catharsis
00:30:37 How to approach professional mental health help
00:33:55 Live music as therapeutic infrastructure
00:40:06 No substitute for connection
00:42:54 Carrying grief as an artist
00:44:50 Ricky's rebound from rock bottom
00:53:13 Psychedelic support
00:55:46 Episode credits

Episode Production Credits

Guests:
Rich Tyo of JukeBox County https://kingstonlive.ca/jukebox-county
Ricky Brant (KaKaow) https://kingstonlive.ca/kakaow


Hosts:
Johnny San [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Jermaine Marshall https://kingstonlive.ca/jermainemarshall

Episode Links:
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Addiction & Mental Health Services https://amhs-kfla.ca
AMHS-KFLA mental health crisis programs https://amhs-kfla.ca/programs-services/crisis/
Outside the Box Education & Psychotherapy https://www.kingstonoutsidethebox.com/
JukeBox County https://kingstonlive.ca/jukebox-county
KaKaow https://kingstonlive.ca/kakaow
Musiikki Café https://kingstonlive.ca/musiikki-cafe
Kingston concerts and music festivals https://kingstonlive.ca/
Audio production by Soundwise https://kingstonlive.ca/resource/1191590/view


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Relevance:
In this Video Resource(s) Kingston Live Artist(s) KaKaow, JukeBox County, Jermaine Marshall

Video Credits

Produced by: SoundWiise
Posted: Sep. 1, 2025 via kingstonlive.ca

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