'A lot of people struggle in silence': N.S. musician opens up about life in music industry

An acclaimed musician who lives in Halifax is opening up about her struggles in hopes of painting an honest picture of what it's like to work in the music industry,

From the outside, Meaghan Smith has had an enviable career. She's toured the country, had her songs appear in countless television series and films, including 500 Days of Summer, and earned a Best New Artist award at the Juno Awards in 2011. 

But her outward success belies the reality that succeeding over the years in the music industry has been difficult, and it hasn't always been easy on her mental health. 

"I don't think people want to hear about the challenges and the struggles," Smith said in an interview with Information Morning Nova Scotia.

"I think they just want to hear about the art and the dream … but I can't really stay quiet about it anymore." 

She's been speaking out on social media about some of these challenges, including severe anxiety around touring, being dropped by her label and management after having her first child, and having to pivot and become a custom songwriter after losing her livelihood. 

"I think a lot of people struggle in silence, whether or not they're artists," says Smith. 

"The more we talk about it the less isolated we are, the less shame there is, the less stigma there is … that really helps." 

Life as a working musician offers little financial security, said Smith. It involves day-to-day hustling to make a living, something that can be hard to keep up, especially as artists grow older. 

"How many artists do you know who used to be in a band and who aren't?" she said.

"Now, I understand why people leave this industry … It's hard to stay in it, and it's hard to keep making things."

That support can come from a variety of places, said Smith, including increased government aid and legislation that ensures musicians get paid more on streaming services like Spotify. 

"We need support in order to keep continuing to make what we make," she said.

Survey looks at mental health in music industry

One initiative that Smith is eager to learn more about is an ongoing survey about mental health in Canada's music industry.

Catherine Harrison, a musician who is also the president of Revelios, an organization that consults on mental health in the workforce, is leading the research, which is also supported by SOCAN and The Unifar Group. 

She told CBC News the impetus for the survey came from realizing there's a lack of research that is focused on mental health in Canadian music industry

"We're looking … to bridge that gap by gathering national feedback at scale from all provinces, from all demographics," said Harrison. 

She said the music industry is a field where workers often deal with precarious employment and financial instability.

It's also an industry rife with workers who often struggle with issues surrounding substance abuse and alcohol, she said, something that can be hard to separate from mental health challenges.

"I think there's also a societal perception that working in the music industry is a fun job," said Harrison. "But the people who are making the music … they're human beings who are trying to have a … fulfilling life, 

She said more than 800 people have participated so far, but she hopes that many more people complete the survey, especially those from marginalized communities. 

Preliminary findings from the survey are expected to be released by the end of the month, said Harrison. 

Music industry workers can fill out the survey here.