To celebrate Tonic Music’s recent collaboration with Richer Sounds I thought it would be interesting to zoom out of the world of musicians and write about music listening in general.
So, this blog looks at how all of us can use music to feel a sense of community through our listening habits and how these experiences can impact our mental health.
As we all know, music is a powerful tool for mental health support especially when used to connect with others. By identifying with specific musical genres or cultures, we can experience a range of psychological benefits that foster and cultivate positive mental health. This connection can offer a sense of belonging, personal identity, and emotional catharsis, often making music a form of self-therapy.
One major benefit of identifying with a genre is the sense of community it provides. For instance, genres like punk, hip-hop, and heavy metal have strong subcultures that unite fans through shared values and experiences, creating a space for self-expression and acceptance. Heavy metal especially has a huge community of mental health support through the growing collectives involved within this area such as friends of Tonic Music, Heavy Metal Therapy.
This collective identity in music can also be particularly valuable for individuals who feel marginalised or misunderstood within mainstream society. Research by A. C. North and David J. Hargreaves highlights how subcultural identities tied to specific genres can help individuals feel less isolated, as they are part of a group that shares similar emotional or life experiences. This sense of community can buffer against feelings of loneliness, a risk factor for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. I think most of us have felt this first hand when we see our favourite bands live and immerse ourselves in the shared journey of identity, nostalgia and the music itself. This was clearly apparent in the recent ‘Shiiine On’ festival that Tonic Music were a key part of (I’ll write more about this on a later date).
These musical experiences reinforce and empower personal identity by aligning with specific cultural or social values. Hip-hop, for example, often addresses themes of resilience, social justice, and empowerment, resonating strongly with listeners from marginalised backgrounds. In general, engaging with music that reflects our values strengthens our sense of self and provides an outlet for coping with adversity, fostering self-worth and resilience.
Ultimately, identifying with a music genre or culture provides us with meaningful connections, emotional support, and identity affirmation, which are critical for mental health. By aligning ourselves with music that reflects personal or social identity, we can gain psychological benefits that support mental health and our wider life journey.
Adam Ficek hosts a monthly show 'Tonic Music' on Totally Wired Radio, where he talks to various guests about music and mental health. You can listen again to any of the previous show on the Tonic Music Mixcloud page.
