Interview by Kris Peters
Depression and mental health are becoming an increasingly prevalent condition, especially in the modern age where sometimes just living can become a struggle.
They are real problems with no definitive answer. Problems that could affect any one of us at any time.
As much as money always helps in any situation, perhaps more importantly in these cases the vital factor is more awareness.
Awareness that it can and does happen. Awareness that it is not your fault or something you should go through alone and awareness of the fact that sometimes it’s okay to not be okay and the most important first step to helping yourself is communication and putting your troubles out there for the world to see, hear and help.
One way to do this is by staging events – of any nature – but when music is your life and passion the default mechanism generally switches to live events. And, as we all know, musicians do it better than most.
On September 16 the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane will host Rock Beats Depression, featuring an eclectic assortment of local and interstate bands uniting for one common cause. Brisbane metal warriors Dreamkillers head the bill, with Black Whisky, Goatzilla, Gutterfire, Tailor Made Rejects, Krave and more coming together for a common cause.
The day will raise not only awareness, but also funding for The Black Dog Institute, Beyond Blue and Headspace.
Each week HEAVY will be speaking with bands on the line-up about what being a part of Rock Beats Depression means to them. Today we catch up with Luke Karolak, guitarist/vocalist for Sunshine Coast rock trio Ruination.
"Rock Beats Depression was actually something that we were asked to do last year," he offered. "We were fortunate enough to get a foot in the door, and to be asked back is a big thing. We love what it stands for and Caity is amazing. There's so many awesome bands on it again this year, so it's gonna be great."
In the full interview, Luke talks more about the meaning behind Rock Beats Depression, what message he hopes people will take out of it, supporting each other and speaking up about your problems, the cathartic nature of music, Ruination's next EP and what it will sound like and more.