For many independent musicians, creating music isn't just about artistic expression—it's a vital tool for mental health and emotional processing. Through interviews with various artists, a common thread emerges: music-making serves as both refuge and healing mechanism during challenging times.

The Therapeutic Power of Creation

"BÁL, a black metal artist from Hungary, explains: "I started BÁL around 2016-2017 and it was originally a personal therapy for processing stuff that was going on around me and inside of me as a response." This therapeutic approach to music creation is echoed by many artists who find solace in their craft.

The Cremant, an ambient music producer, describes how music helps manage anxiety: "I composed it in the days of anxiety. I didn't want to get up from bed and live my life; only music could heal and make me stronger. On these days full of darkness, I surrounded myself with cables and synths."

Finding Voice Through Vulnerability

T. Houze shares a deeply personal motivation: "I was extremely self-conscious when I was younger because my voice cracked at an early age. I fought with that feeling for the longest time and came up with the idea of tackling that internal trauma head-on by creating an album from top to bottom."

For Immortal Ebt, music provides a way to navigate complex mental health challenges: "I suffer from schizophrenia and am an addict in recovery. [...] Music has been described as weird and psychedelic which I guess comes from my mental illness and general perception of life."

The Creative Process as Healing

Through Mists describes their approach to managing creative pressure: "If I feel that I'm challenged to write new stuff, I simply stop. I don't do my own work forcefully." This mindful approach to creation helps maintain a healthy relationship with the creative process.

The pandemic era particularly highlighted music's role in mental health. Raidio Tony reflects: "Like many artists, started when the world ran into a lockdown due to COVID-19. It was a way to work together from a long distance."

Community and Connection

Many artists emphasize how sharing their music creates meaningful connections. Avery Friedman notes: "I'm always so grateful and humbled to hear that my music has impacted someone, and the specifics of what they think/feel about it."

Through these artists' stories, we see how music creation serves as more than just artistic expression—it's a powerful tool for processing emotions, managing mental health, and building meaningful connections. Their experiences remind us that the act of creation itself can be deeply therapeutic, offering both solace and strength during challenging times.