Since January, local artist development collective Blue Willow Entertainment has been connecting the world of music with mental health charities.
While on the surface the efforts would seem to be just having a good time to support a good cause, the effort stems from an under-discussed aspect of the music industry: That much of the music the world enjoys comes as a result of mental health challenges.
“A lot of the great music that we enjoy and love and listen to, it resonates with us, because often there was a challenge associated to it. People overcoming something. What I’ve found in working with artists is they tend to struggle with their mental health, and music is very therapeutic for them. So, there’s a natural connection there,” said Seth Anderson, President of Blue Willow Entertainment.
“I think just in general, as humans, we gravitate towards music in times of challenge. For me personally, when my dad passed away when I was 21, I don’t know how I got through that next year or so without music. So to me, that’s where it really connects.”
For their sixth concert, the collective is jumping from more non-traditional music venues—think podcast studios and pizza shops—to one of Calgary’s most iconic music venues.
Dickens is set to host local Calgary musicians and bands CAS (who is currently auditioning for American Idol), Eric John Band, Howells, and In Search of Sasquatch, on Oct. 4, starting at 8 a.m.
“It’s been a journey, and we’ve had a lot of learnings… working with our local artists and figuring out who we wanted to be. Basically, any non-traditional music venue that was interested in music, that said we could try something. Often it wasn’t always perfect. I’ve learned how to build stages, run sound equipment, build a music venue from scratch, more or less,” said Anderson.
“We’re really appreciative now to be in a place where the serious music venues in the city, they take our calls. When we first started this journey we couldn’t get a meeting with Dickens, let alone get an opportunity to put on a show there. Even still, they’re taking a chance on us.”
The evening of rock shows is going to support Calgary’s Distress Centre through both ticket sales and a silent auction.
“At all of our music for mental health events, we like to put the artists and then the charity at the forefront of what we’re doing. We really want to amplify their voice. We want to amplify their message. We want to improve mental health outcomes in the city,” Anderson said.
Anderson said that the event is also being supported by local rock radio station X92.9, through their exposure program to help give local musicians their break.
“It’s going to be a fun night. It’s going to be a rock show, so it’s going to be loud. It’s 18 plus. If you don’t know these bands, don’t worry, it’s going to be very high quality, very good music and I think you’re going to leave there very happy.”
Tickets start at $20 online, and $25 at the door, and can be purchased at bwemusic.art/events.
