AUSSIE MUSICIANS EVES KARYDAS, L-FRESH THE LION & MIKE WATERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN LEAD UP TO MUSICIANS MAKING A DIFFERENCE DAY (MMAD DAY) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4

L-Fresh the Lion, Eves Karydas & Mike Waters have opened up about their struggles with mental health in candid conversations with Danny Clayton in the hope that others will know they’re not alone and find inspiration and healing through their music.

Queensland born songstress Karydas first started working through her battle with anxiety when recording new music when she first moved to London.

“I was trying to take advantage of the opportunity, but I just had this dark cloud hanging over my head. It was a pain in the butt.” – Singer/songwriter Eves Karydas

Karydas talks through ways she’s dealt with anxiety and how she’s used those feelings to motivate her songwriting, resulting in the creation of one of 2020’s strongest pop indie releases, “Complicated”.

As a way to combat his own mental health issues, Mike Waters reflected on his own dealing process, inspiring his song “I’m Doing Fine” which has ticked over one million plays on Spotify alone. Mike breaks down how a moment of not feeling okay, went on to inspire his song and important conversations with the people closest in his life.

“I was really struggling and I felt like it was going to be this way forever, once I started reaching out to people I realised I’m not the only one who feels like this.” – Melbourne singer/songwriter Mike Waters

Sydney’s own L-Fresh the Lion’s journey with music started as one of self discovery and understanding his identity. Through music he’s discovered more about himself as well as how to tell his own story through his acclaimed lyrics.

“Hip Hop values authenticity, If I want to be like Tupac I can’t tell his story, I can only tell my story, so what is my story?” – Sydney hip-hop icon L-Fresh the Lion

These important conversations have been released in the lead up to Musicians Making A Difference Day (MMAD Day) on Friday December 4, a day dedicated to amplifying the power of music in creating positive change in the world and bringing awareness to the work of Australian music youth charity, MMAD.

“If you are going through a hard time you are absolutely not alone. I hope this series or my episode reaches you in some way; sending everyone lots of love.” – Eves Karydas

Listen to the Music Saved Me podcast, proudly supported by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, Sony Foundation, Universal Music Australia & Verizon Media.

Listen to more ‘Music Saved Me’ podcast

ABOUT MUSIC SAVED ME PODCAST

In this series of down to earth interviews, well-known and emerging artists engage in raw, relatable and compelling conversations about how music has supported them through their most difficult times, and sometimes even helped them survive.

Musicians Making A Difference created podcast Music Saved Me hit the #1 spot for Music podcasts in Australia as well as hitting #6 in Music podcasts in Japan and the overall #4 in all time charts for Music Interview podcasts. Hosted by charismatic music personality Danny Clayton, Music Saved Me featuring musicians including Conrad Sewell, Eves Karydas, Isaiah Firebrace, Mike Waters, Paul Dempsey, Illy, GRAACE and many more. New episodes will be released weekly with the final two episodes released on Musicians Making A Difference Day (MMAD Day) – Friday December 4.

The podcast Music Saved Me is proudly supported by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation. Major podcast supporter, Jennifer Leslie, Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair adds: “Our relationship with Musicians Making a Difference has positively impacted the lives of young people facing disadvantage and marginalisation for nearly a decade. We are proud to continue our support with this brilliant and deeply authentic new series and encourage people to listen and share it as a tool to reach and impact young people in need. Music Saved Me uses the power of storytelling and digital channels to reach people who may feel alone in overcoming their personal struggles. The project brings together relatable role models with MMAD’s positive messages to empower young people to make a change for good in their lives.”

In addition to the ongoing support of Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, MMAD acknowledges the support from the music industry for this important project, especially partners Sony Foundation for delivering artists including foundation ambassador Conrad Sewell, GRAACE, Illy, Mitch Tambo and Mike Waters; MMAD Day co-creators Universal Music Australia for introducing Eves Karydas and Paul Dempsey, and Verizon Media for opening their production studio for special recordings with inspirational MMAD graduates.

ABOUT MMAD DAY

Each year, Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) unites with Universal Music Australia and the Australian music industry to highlight the power of music by sharing inspirational stories of those who create it.

We unite 10 MMAD graduates with mentors from Universal Music Australia to build a creative campaign that will inspire young people around the world to make positive social and personal change.

Some of the biggest musicians in the world have supported MMAD Day, including Niall Horan, Troye Sivan, Dean Lewis, Vera Blue,  Yungblud, Tove  Lo, Ryan Tedder from One Republic, Alessia Cara, Conrad Sewell, Julia Michaels, Michael  Franti, Pez, Tina Arena, Ngaiire  and many more!
This #MMADday on December 4, MMAD is encouraging everyone to share a song that has positively impacted your life in 2020, or take a selfie using the hashtag #MusicSavedMe, tagging @mmadaustralia.

Follow MMAD on social media for all the latest updates @mmadaustralia
www.mmad.org.au
MMAD Day hashtags: #MMADDay #MusicSavedMe

ABOUT MUSICIANS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) is an Australian charity that uses the power of music, dance and mentoring to create long term social and community change, reaching over 20,000 at risk young Australians every year across 15 communities, and a further 1.5 million people through online initiatives like MMAD Day.

MMAD provides creative support to children and young people who may be vulnerable, marginalised or at-risk of serious harm, through challenges such as homelessness, mental illness, inequality, exclusion from school, family breakdown, drug and alcohol dependency and poverty. The organisation empowers graduates to rise up, break the cycle and create social change.

ABOUT NEWCASTLE PERMANENT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation distributes approximately $1.5 million in grants each year to facilitate charitable and community projects to help rewrite the future of those in need. Now, and for generations to come. The projects supported address disadvantage, marginalisation and isolation in local communities throughout the Hunter, Central West, Central Coast, New England, Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions of NSW. Since its establishment in 2003, the Charitable Foundation has granted $22 million to 496 community initiatives.