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


Sign up for Kingston music news, local concert and event listings and announcements delivered to your inbox monthly, weekly or even daily. Subscribe here… (https://kingstonlive.ca/subscribe)
Relevance:
In this Video Resource(s) Kingston Live Artist(s) Jermaine Marshall, KaKaow, JukeBox County

Video Credits

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

Featured Events

Featured Historical Events

Featured Article

Nance Read "Nance"
from Victoria BC
wendy skog
abstract from Victoria BC
Marie Metaphor
Multi-disciplinary artist, Poet, Educator from Victoria BC
Natasha van Netten
from Victoria BC
Creative Art & Workshop Space
400 Sq. Ft. Modular Workshop & Creative Space – 24/7 ​A...
Garbally rd Victoria BC
Open / Operational
Finest at Sea
We are a boutique seafood supplier that focuses on wild, fre...
Open / Operational
Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver
Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS) is a member-...
Vancouver BC
Open / Operational
VICTORIA GUITAR SHOW (Free Admission)
Free guitar builders showcase event
2243 Beacon Ave. Sidney BC
Open / Operational

Search the Directory / Archive

List an Event in the Calendar

List a Physical Single Date or Recurring Event

For physical events that happen at a specific time. For example a concert, or dance performance. If there are multiple shows, you can still duplicate your event to cover them all.

List an Online Livestream Event

For online / livestream events. This will allow you to include a livestream url and have it featured in our livestream listings.

List an Ongoing Event

For events that run over a range of consecutive dates. i.e. Art show, museum show etc.

Submit a Profile to the Directory

List an Individual Artist / Artisan / Musician

(Painter, Carver, Dancer, Writer etc)

List an Arts Ensemble

(Band / Choir /Dance Troupe, Theatre Troupe, Artist Collective etc.)

List an Organization / Resource in the Directory

(organization, business, venue etc)

Submit Art

Submit a piece of Art

Add a photo / information on art by a local artist

Submit Public Art (Current)

Submit a piece of local public art to the gallery & map.

Submit Public Art (Historical)

Add a photos + info on pieces of public art that no longer exist to be included in the permanent public archive.

News + Media

Post an Opportunity

(Jobs, Funding, Calls to Artists)

Add / Link a Video

Add a video, which will be linked to profiles, and appear in the video feed

Add / Link an Article

Add, or link to an article about content in the directory.

Log In to Your Account