'The biggest blessing': Neon Dreams member gives up life on the road

Tucked away in a downtown Halifax studio, surrounded by thumping beats and dancing LEDs, Corey LeRue feels most at home.

The Halifax-based producer has been meddling with melodies since he was eight, and now at 25, he said he still feels the rush of making music.

But when it comes to touring, the Neon Dreams band member said that excitement soon morphed into dread.

LeRue said his fear of flying, dislike of long road trips and pre-show anxiety were all reasons for him to stop performing with his fellow bandmates.

"I fought with myself with who I was as a person," said LeRue. "But it's been the best decision of my career, thus far."

Chasing the dream

Since officially releasing music under the name Neon Dreams in 2013, the pop group has garnered various awards and and opened for the likes of Down with Webster, Diplo and Waka Flocka Flame.

"The past year has been a huge climb for us ... but it's a double-edged sword," said LeRue.

The band had a hit single, Marching Bands, a publishing deal and a cross-Canada tour.

"There were a lot of great moments, but for me, there [were] a lot of moments I wasn't particularly huge on," said Lerue.

The downfalls of life on the road

LeRue said the trials and tribulations of touring quickly became overwhelming.

Unlike his fellow bandmates, LeRue said the satisfaction of making music never came from being on stage. The nomadic lifestyle of touring made him grow weary, but more importantly, his mental health was suffering.

"I was dealing with different anxieties," he said. "I just think the way the wires are programmed upstairs is a little bit different than others."

Initially, a fear of letting down his bandmates, family and fans held him back from speaking out about his struggles. But in December, he contacted other people in the music industry for advice.

"I knew something didn't click with me," he said. "So, I talked to everyone from label people to other musicians, to managers and publicists, and they all said, 'You're doing the right thing.'"

At the end of last year, LeRue decided to stop touring and instead focus on being in the studio. He called the decision "the biggest blessing."

What's ahead for Lerue?

These days, LeRue continues to create catchy rhythms for Neon Dreams, who are set to release a new EP in mid-August.

LeRue said there's also plenty on the horizon for him, such as a new record label, two songwriting camps and collaborations with Canadian artists Shawn Hook, Shaun Frank and Cape Bretoner Jodi Guthro.

As for Neon Dreams, the band is doing a cross-Canada tour this summer, including a headlining gig on Sunday at the Calgary Stampede.