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)
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)
Video Credits
Produced by: SoundWiise
Posted: Sep. 1, 2025
Featured Events
Featured Historical Events
Featured Article
Call for performers: Join South Frontenac’s 2026 event lineup!
Township bordering Kingston seeking musicians, entertainers, storytellers, and cultural performers.
Author: Amanda Pantrey
Newest Profiles
Inverary United Church
During the summer of 2004 a major renovation of the church h...
Open / Operational
Showcall Productions
Professional audio, video, lighting, and staging services.
1377 Midland Drive Kingston Ontario
Open / Operational
United Way of KFL&A
Bringing people and resources together to facilitate change.
417 Bagot Street Kingston Ontario
Open / Operational
