Our Patrons and Ambassadors explain why they support Tonic Music
We are Tonic Music
Tonic Patrons
Terry Hall (Founding Patron)
The Specials
These are terribly testing times for those of us with mental health issues. My mental health deteriorated towards the end of 2020. The thing that got me through was communication. If you’re suffering, then it is incredibly important to tell people... family, friends, doctors, Tonic! Tell them to check on you... always. Share your health issues… they aren’t problems. Most of all… stay safe… stay secure... We’ll get there!
Barry Ashworth
Dub Pistols
I support Tonic Music because of the great work they do bringing the issue of mental health into the open. They are a passionate team that understand the problems people with mental illness face. The music industry has many artists that suffer from depression and other issues. There is a stigma around mental health and Tonic help to challenge this and raise awareness - that is why I give them my full support and backing.
Kevin Cummins
Music Photographer
It’s vitally important to support groups and charities like Tonic Music who work tirelessly on behalf of people with mental health problems. This is why I was honoured to accept a role as a patron of Tonic and hopefully with your help we can all make a difference.
Tonic Ambassadors
Lynval Golding
The Specials
We all have mental health issues, but they affect some people more than others. The best thing we can all do is reach out to those who are struggling in whatever way we can. I support the work that Tonic does 100%.
Amy Bee Sting
Oh My God! It's The Church
I am honoured to be an ambassador for Tonic Music, a superb charity that provides a strong community of support and understanding of mental health issues and how to navigate them in a tough industry. The organisation is run by the most fantastic people who are truly committed to championing mental health action. Both myself and Tonic Music believe that talking openly and honestly about mental health can encourage those who are suffering to seek help and find a support network.
James Atkin
EMF / Bentley Rhythm Ace
All of my life, I have had anxiety before going on stage. It took me ages to work out how to deal with that. I wish there were opportunities for professionals to have helped me with that, like Tonic Music.
Seanie T
Dub Pistols
Being part of Tonic Music has opened my eyes to mental health big time. I never knew how big the problem was throughout the world. I was of the impression that you must man up and get on with life, but life really ain’t that simple. We need charities like Tonic Music to play an active part in addressing mental health through musical workshops, counselling sessions and events, because music is a journey for all of us and a great soother of the soul. As a musician, I am fully committed to play my part.
Liam Cromby
Singer-Songwriter/Musician
I’m honoured to be an ambassador for Tonic Music. They supported me at a time when I didn’t know who to turn to, and that experience has had a lasting impact on me. I’m passionate and excited about being part of something that’s helping people across all sides of the music industry build healthier, more sustainable creative lives.
Finn
Front Man - Monumental
I’m Finn, I’m the frontman of Monumental, and growing with these lads over the last three years to become what we are now is one of the best things to happen to me in my life. To be able to say we are the youngest ambassadors for Tonic Music is such a massive honour. I am so grateful to not only Tonic Music Music for giving us this opportunity, but to every single person who has helped us along the way, to everyone who helps me when I am at my lows and to keep me grounded when I’m at my highs. Thank you.
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A little bit about me, I live with my parents and three dogs just outside Southend On Sea. At the moment I study Music Performance Vocals at University.
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I’ve grown up my whole life around music. I started playing guitar around 8 years old and it was during lockdown that I started learning properly online. At age 12, I started busking which led to me playing gigs. I met Nathan whilst busking one day, he introduced me to Alfie and the rest as they say is history.
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Anyway, just to finish off, I wanted again to say a massive thank you to everyone at Tonic Music and I hope to see whoever’s reading this at one of our shows soon (hopefully haha). Cheers
Nathan
Bass - Monumental
I’m Nathan and I’ve known Tonic Music for coming up to 4 years now when I first met Jan and Tom at a gig in Putney. This was an extremely memorable day for me as it blossomed my fantastic connection with both Jan and Tom on a personal level with her giving me advice on things I should know going into University, face-timing me when I couldn’t come to a Tonic Music event and taking the time to talk about anything and everything. It was absolutely lovely and I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything!
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After this I contacted Steph about working alongside them at a couple of our gigs and loved how approachable she was on every email. While this was going on I met Jeordie who is an absolute credit to the Tonic Music charity and he gave me his card where we emailed back and forth about their attendance at one of our gigs and from this we formed quite a good and strong friendship.
And so fast forward to us being ambassadors, it’s frankly a dream come true as it’s a charity so close to all of our hearts!
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I would like to take a bit of time to speak about Tom and how lovely he was every time I met him. He had a connection with Jan like no other and he would consistently and selflessly go out of his way to introduce someone to Tonic Music or lend an ear for someone struggling, he was a great man and he will forever live firmly in my memory which is why I couldn’t write this without bringing light to Tom’s life and how impactful he has been to mine and so many people’s lives. He was the epitome of what a mental health charity should be about and I feel privileged to have met him.
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I am extremely family orientated. Me, my Mum, my Dad and my sister are all very close. I know first hand what it feels like to be struggling but I always know my family are there to talk to and that is exactly how I feel about Tonic Music too, they are more than just a charity, they are a family who pride themselves in what they do.
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As you can tell I love Tonic Music and everything it stands for, the passion, integrity and joy each team member gets out of promoting such a fantastic charity is amazing. If there’s one last thing I’d like to say it would be that if you or anyone you know is struggling there is always someone who will be there to lend an ear or give you a shoulder to cry on, you are never alone and Tonic Music is there to help you.
Denny
Drums - Monumental
I’m Denny. Well what can I say, I’m charismatic, charming, handsome... Haha and a joker. On a serious note, I’m funny but I have a serious side too. Growing up I struggled with my mental health, mainly because I was so misunderstood and this is why I’m so honoured to be working alongside Tonic Music.
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Having Tourette’s was tough at school, mainly because back then those in education were totally uneducated about the condition. That being said it’s shaped the person I am today. I had to deal with it.
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I have a giant heart. I love my family dearly, and those close to me say I have musical bones. Growing up my home was always musical. My brother and I have a very special musical bond. He’s a role model to me, always guitars, drums, keyboards and lots of harmonies on the go! It was always encouraged growing up and just seemed normal, as normal as breathing and this really helped me grow through my mental health struggles.
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I have such eclectic musical taste. Give me anything from The Beatles to Arctic Monkeys, Genesis and much more.
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And most importantly, my Mum, Nicola. She’s the reason I’m alive today. She is my biggest role model as is my Dad. I learned to play drums because of him. My Mum has always had my corner and let’s just say this… “You can take the Mum out of Hackney but never the Hackney out of Mum”. She’s my number 1 and she fought hard for me growing up, always showing me it’s okay to be me. She’s a proper nutter and it’s rubbed off on me. I love it!
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Oh and I love a pint and a plate of pie and mash, and as controversial as this may be, I do love a pickled egg or two!! What more can I tell you.. I say it how it is! I’ll end on this. I'm definitely a lover not a fighter.
Alfie
Lead Guitarist - Monumental
I’m Alfie, lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Monumental. Being asked to become ambassadors for Tonic Music made me feel incredibly proud and honoured, especially as we’re the first band to take on this role.
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It means a lot to be part of something so important. As a musician, music is my escape, it’s what helps me process how I feel, whether I’m listening to it or creating it.
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Everything I write comes from real emotions and personal experiences. Music is how I express myself, and if it can help even one person feel less alone whether they’re struggling, feeling lost, or trying to move forward then that means everything to me.
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I can’t wait for what this partnership will bring in the future. Everyone at Tonic Music that I’ve met has been lovely and are really passionate about what they do and it makes me want to do the best I can to help such an important cause.
better joy
Singer-Songwriter/Musician
I am so honoured to be a Tonic Music ambassador, to be representing mental health in music just feels right. I love music and I try every day to make my mind a place I want to be in, they are two important things to me.
It is a tough industry full of comparison and doubt. Mental health has previously been a bit of a taboo topic and now more than ever people are really talking and opening up about their experiences and struggles, so to be able to be a part of something that provides support is so important.
Millie Manders
Millie Manders and The Shutup
As challenging times turn even more so, it can be so hard to see a way through your own darkness. Music has saved me many times, and it's thanks to charities like Tonic Music that there are more resources and outreach than ever to help us all through. I am so grateful to Tonic for being a light to many, for providing support and a caring ear or voice to those of us who need it; I'm constantly being reminded that none of us are alone, and that is such a beautiful thing.
Morgan Howell
SuperSizeArt
I’ve seen what can happen to ordinary young adults trying to cope with the ridiculous pressures of exams and life. And that was in more normal times. Music – listening to it, creating it and living it – helps to pull us all through to a nicer place. Keep the faith.
Denise Black
Actress
I hit the floor more than once in lockdown, but I got lucky. Someone picked me up. Music lights the way, I know that. It raises your spirits, it gives you strength. Fact. And music at a community level has the power to move mountains. What Tonic Music does is just amazing so please don’t feel alone. Come and make music, it’s never too late.
Eddie Piller
Acid Jazz
The sterling work that Tonic Music does is now more important than ever, as people have struggled under the uncertainty of a seemingly never-ending pandemic. Get up, stand up and do something to help. However small.
Jeff Horton
100 Club
Tonic Music is dedicated to the mental wellbeing of people in my industry. It is run by lovely, caring and inspiring people who will help anyone who needs it, at any time. I’m indebted to them personally when I’ve reached a low point. And in times like these you are sometimes left alone with just your mind for a long time, which can be very difficult for a lot of people. Reach out. They will help. And that’s why I support them.
Biff Mitchell
Festival Organiser
With nearly 40 years’ experience in the Live Music industry, I have never seen such a level of mental health issues as in 2020. Helping Barry Ashworth with his Flying Circus has really opened my eyes to this hidden Pandemic. I have always believed in looking after my friends and workmates, but I realise now it has to go much further than our immediate circle. I hope that by working with Tonic Music I can help enable a much further reach, and to get to more people in need of assistance.
Simon Williams
Fierce Panda
I’m thrilled skinny to take up an ambassadorial role with Tonic Music, following in some heartily esteemed footsteps. I encountered the charity when I launched the ‘Pandamonium! How Not To Run A Record Company’ opus a couple of years back and realised my own mental health issues - caused by running a label of love in a wildly uncaring industry - dovetailed impeccably with the Tonic Music agenda. Since then I’ve been mightily impressed by their passion, wisdom and never-ending urge to spread their good word far and wide, and my mission is to spread that good word further and wider using the fierce panda records silver machine.
Gary Crowley
BBC 6 Music
Good mental health is something we’re all thankfully becoming a lot more aware of - and of its importance. And now during these challenging times it’s more vital than ever. It's good to know those cool folk at Tonic Music are there to provide a safe haven to talk about how we feel, and to realise that we’re not alone.
Our Supporters
