Australian singer-songwriter Josh Pyke has spoken candidly about his struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, which led him to take a two-year break from touring before the pandemic hit. Now, with a new album and a return to the road, he reflects on how medication, therapy and exercise helped him regain control.
Pyke's latest album, 'To Find Happiness', was recorded in his home studio in Sydney and mixed near Byron Bay. The songs are infused with a sense of warmth and optimism, a stark contrast to the confinement many artists experienced during lockdown. 'It's about finding moments of happiness in everyday life,' he says.
The musician's hiatus was prompted by severe anxiety attacks that would occur during performances and meet-and-greets. 'I was having really bad anxiety issues. I wanted to get my mental health under control,' Pyke explains. He initially worried that anti-anxiety medication would stifle his creativity, but found it was 'ultimately what worked' alongside counselling and exercise.
During lockdown, Pyke channelled his energy into multiple projects, including a children's book, a podcast, and TV scores for ABC shows. 'There was a bit of panic creativity, but also an opportunity to throw things at the wall and see what stuck,' he says. He also released his first album in five years, 'Rome', in 2020.
Now gearing up to tour again, Pyke acknowledges the anxiety is still present but feels empowered to speak openly about it. 'The sooner you kill the taboo, the better,' he says. He also criticises the Australian government's lack of support for the arts, describing funding as 'grossly underfunded' and highlighting hypocrisy in pandemic rules for music events versus sports.
