The Big 100!
- Team Tonic
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Well, well, we made it. This my 100th blog for Tonic Music. There were times when I wondered what the hell I was going to write about or how I would write it, but we made it!
My own interest in music is bigger than just the music industry, yes that’s an important part of monetising our art but let’s never forget that music is bigger than this. In contemporary society we are led to believe that our precious sonic art is just ‘content’ for the big digital streaming platform dude, yes him! But let’s never forget what it really means underneath this reductionistic view. It is everything, community, emotion, meaning and life itself.
As mentioned before, without the access to a fair music industry when I was at my most vulnerable, mental health wise, I probably wouldn’t be here. This personal experience is a key motivator in doing what I do. The thought of other 19-year-olds in the world having their hope shattered due to the diminishing income and dwindling venues really sits unfavourably with me. So yes, music is far bigger and these blogs have enabled me to share my passion and insight through these 100 mini pieces.
On another level, these blogs have also helped me to finish a book that has been in process for five years. Through exploring all the wide and varied topics of musicking I have been able to finish this mammoth effort. Tonic Music have allowed me to dip in and out of these different elements and tie up all of my experience and knowledge into these bite size blogs.
Despite these various strands of music psychology, music therapy, mental health, occupational wellbeing, and the commercial music industry, it really feels like my experience at Tonic Music has helped to glue these together as a whole. From pragmatically using music to help our emotional states, listening to music to support our awareness, having a presence at events and of course, working clinically with musicians, Tonic brings it all together in a way similar to the integrational elements of these blogs.
Anyway, I hope these mini pieces have been of use to all of you as much as they have been for me. I reckon I’ve got about a few more in me until I hand over the baton. Remember music is bigger than the big players. With music in our bones there is always hope.
Happy 100th!
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.
