Mastering The Hustle: Health and Personal Care in the Music Industry (May 12 at the KEXP Gathering Space)

Mastering The Hustle returns this Saturday, May 12 to the KEXP Gathering Space, this time themed around “Health and Personal Care in the Music Industry.” This ninth installment in this free series is a collaborative effort between KEXP, Upstream Music Fest + Summit, MoPOP, and The Recording Academy. In this workshop, moderated by our own Morning Show host John Richards, our panelists will discuss how the various resources and tools available to artists so they can better maintain their physical and mental health. In an ever changing industry and craft that can make it difficult for artists to have access to healthcare. How do artists stay healthy while on the road and at home? Our panelists will dive into practical advice artists can start using now.

In preparation for the workshop, we asked a few of our panelists the same question: What is one thing a musician can do to exercise self care? Here’s what they told us.

Ian Moore, musician and president of SMASH:

To me the whole axis of art/life is about balance of the two. So that would be the fundamental premise that everything is based on as far starting points for me. As far as naming one thing, I would say exercise. So many artists are not enough in our bodies, and with all the energy in the creative realm it is really easy to spin out. Finding something that can get your heart rate up is really helpful to both get the mind out of the way and reconnect the mind and the body. An easy thing that seems to be a bit of a hurdle for many of us on the art side of things.”

Erica Krusen, LMFT, Senior Director of MusiCares:

“The music industry does a lot to stack the mental health deck against musicians. It can isolate and disconnect you from your friends and families, and fatigue and stress are always present. A few ways that musicians can help themselves working in this industry with regards to self-care are exercise daily-yoga, stretching and walks, nutrition-making smart food choices, avoiding caffeine in the evening, hydrating, meditation, getting enough sleep, and stay connected.” - Erica Krusen, LMFT

Brenna Regan, MD, Naturopathic Physician:

“We have mounting evidence that spending time in nature has profound effects on our brain and physiology by lowering stress hormones and even blood pressure. Even a 15-minute walk in the woods is associated with these beneficial changes. So here's my two cents on this topic: pick a park or other beautiful spot near, or far, from your house. Carve out time weekly, ideally daily, to spend some time in green space with no agenda. It will do wonders for your health, sense of well-being and, hopefully, creativity!” Find out more about our panelists below and RSVP to reserve your spot today.

Ian Moore is musician, songwriter, producer, and engineer currently living in the Seattle area. He has released 11 records under his name, touring across the globe multiple times, and maintains a vigorous recording and touring schedule. He has opened for artists such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, had 4 top 20 Billboard charting songs, and done countless TV and radio shows throughout his career. He was heavily involved in SIMS and HAMM(Austin based musician health charities) in their infancy, and is the founder and President of SMASH, a 501c3 based in Seattle, that is currently fundraising to provide education, advocacy, and free and/or greatly reduced health care for Seattle area music professionals. Ian is a current Grammy Governor for the 2016 cycle. Mentoring young artists and helping to provide a voice for the arts and artists are big priorities for Ian, and he carries this, both in his music, and in his volunteer work.

Erica Krusen is the Senior Director at MusiCares, the charitable arm of The Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs). Erica is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She has over 10 years of experience in both private and community settings. She maintains a long-term private practice in Malibu, CA where she currently sees individuals, families and couples. She also is a co-founder in CoreAdvantage, a global consulting group that promotes health and wellness in the entertainment business. Erica also serves as a Board of Director for Rock to Recovery. She has presented workshops in a variety of arenas, on a range of topics, as well as being an adjunct professor in the Graduate programs in Psychology at California Lutheran University.

Dr. Brenna Regan practices family medicine and has a wide variety of interests including primary care, women’s health and fertility, gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular health and diabetes, autoimmune disease, and mental health. She loves incorporating physical medicine and in addition to naturopathic manipulation also utilizes craniosacral and visceral manipulation techniques. She focuses on foundations of health and works with her patients to understand the cause of dysfunction and the path toward optimal wellness. Using nutrition, botanical medicine, nutrient supplementation, counseling, physical medicine, and pharmaceutical therapies, Dr. Regan helps her patients rediscover their body’s innate healing ability. She views the doctor-patient relationship as a partnership that should empower patients toward a greater sense of well-being and restoration of balance.

Faustine Hudson is a Drummer, Traveler, Non-Profit Organizer and Ugandan Exchange Musician. Faustine has toured internationally in projects stylistically ranging from a Robert Johnson style shuffle, boot scootin’ boogie to in yer face rock n roll. Music has been a point of connection and expression for much of Faustine’s life and continues to grow and expand her consciousness in the most remarkable ways. Faustine currently drums for The Maldives, Shallow Lenses & Planes on Paper.