Seed Sessions: Creating Roots For Better Mental Health in Male Musicians

Artist Nederveen shares his experience of working with Seed Sessions, the community interest company (CIC) combining music-making with counselling sessions for young male musicians in Bristol.

One of the first things I learned of the aptly named ‘Seed Sessions’, was the story of Toby Seed. A young, exceptional guitar player, who tragically took his own life. Sadly, to a combination of both physical and mental ill health. It must have been truly devastating for him and for those who knew him. I’m sure his family would be proud of the voice his life has managed to create. The sessions were put together in his memory, to help those who might need it.

Musicians can often pour their hearts into their creative burdens, without the return you might expect.

Musicians dream of creating a world to which they can escape, perhaps in imagination, sensory experience, or in the realisation of an idea. For whatever reason, it seems to me that pursuing this life goes hand in hand with uncertainty.

I know of many people, pouring their hearts into music, day after day, yielding very little. Dreaming of peace of mind, financial stability, or simply a clear path forwards. Of course, it’s a trade-off we choose, and I believe we're capable of creating possibility of many kinds with enough perseverance, but undoubtedly, it’s hard. I don't suspect many of us knew what we were getting into when our journeys began.

It seems Isie Potter (the founder of Seed Sessions) sought out people she felt could use a hand. I suspect she identified certain characteristics through our music. When she did reach out, she offered us counselling sessions with the rather wonderful Cory Stewart, some studio sessions at the exceptionally well-equipped dBs Pro and mentoring with various, highly regarded professional musicians. There were a lot of sessions in each department, over a considerable amount of time.

How Seed Sessions have helped

Cory is a very kind, thoughtful and intelligent man. He seemed to ponder, very carefully, providing guiding thoughts, prompting me towards a more balanced perspective. We discussed many aspects of my experience, both musical and not. I believe he cared very much.

During our studio time at dBs Pro, we were encouraged to bring along something we were working on and to make use of the recording space however we saw fit. Supported by an experienced engineer Jay Auborn, (who mentioned he had once worked with Justin Timberlake), I used the opportunity to get some feedback on the music I'd recently recorded and more specifically, thoughts on my vocals. I remember contrasting two vocal performances, one 'raw' and one processed. We discussed how effectively that communicated my ‘voice’, both its tone and my words. To my surprise, the 'raw' vocal was preferred, and it took me a while to experience that for myself.

My growth as a musician seems to have many of these small moments, shifts in direction, new opinions, contrasting with my own. Sometimes these moments change my direction. Understanding what makes a good vocal, especially when it’s my own voice, has been a surprisingly complicated task (for me). Stepping back and hearing myself as an individual who sings is surprisingly convoluted.

Seasoned and honest feedback

The third instalment of Seed Sessions was mentoring. I was fortunately paired with Ferg Ireland, best friend to Toby, a jazz-double bassist (among other instruments and skills), who's worked with the likes of Sam Smith, James Bay and Marcus Mumford.

Ferg was very honest with me. He focused particularly on my artistic identity and how coherently I was being 'myself'. He gave me a lot of his time, support and encouragement. It’s not often that you get to share your work with accomplished musicians and hear what somebody further down the line thinks of you.

Finally, as the sessions came to an end, Isie organised a gig for all the Seed Sessions participants. Three of us performed, ‘Man0’, ‘Jack Louis Cooper’ and myself, ‘Nederveen’. We were accompanied by some friends of Isie’s, a poet, ‘Samora Yeboah’ and a local artist, Alun Elliott-Williams aka 'Tiny Chapter’ (of 'Waldo's Gift').

"The audience sat crossed-legged, a hair away from the performers. It was one of those gigs where people were there to listen".

We were situated in a beautiful chapel, just off Hotwell Road, close to the centre of Bristol; right by my old flat. I do a lot of functions; weddings, corporate, pubs and sometimes people couldn't be care less. These gigs are practice, the clocking of the hours. So shows like this can remind us what we’re aiming for. The version of a life that we want.

Final thoughts

Life can be hard to see through sometimes. The perspectives we take, malleable day to day, shaping our world, can always use a positive influence. A nudge towards optimism, an experience closer to the life we desire. Pain, like that of Toby, has its way of ricocheting into possibilities for others and I believe Isie and everybody else involved, deserves a long-lasting sense of pride for facilitating that change. Thank you.

If you’d like, you can donate to Seed Sessions via the official website’s donation page. You never know the difference it might make.

About Seed Sessions

Seed Sessions is a Bristol-based CIC (a community interest company which exists primarily to benefit a community, or with a view to pursuing a social purpose) and supports young male musicians through music and counselling sessions. Seed Sessions is named in memory of Toby Seed, a gifted musician who sadly took his own life. The name was chosen to remind us all of the potential within each individual, and the growth that can be achieved with the appropriate nurture and care.