Mental health issues aren’t a new concept in our society today, least of all in the performing arts. Newcastle’s Eat Your Heart Out address several topics around mental health struggles and being stuck in your own head in their new album, Mind Games. Penning their experiences and setting it to music is what the band know. “Not enough people do it [talk about their issues],” says the band’s guitarist, Will Moore. “People bury a lot of stuff and it causes issues, it has for us. For us, it’s important to recognise there are issues and I think we like to talk about it as a broader thing outside of mental illness.
“It’s about saying it as it is, how we feel it, so we can be the truest to ourselves.”
“I struggle talking about my mental health,” says bassist Dom Cant, “Music is my outlet to cope.”
Though music is an escape for many musicians, Eat Your Heart Out is no different, there must be a certain set of challenges for vocalist Caitlin Henry, who at the front of the band, is channelling all the energy and struggles of not only her group but the audience who relate to their music. “I think, it’s like, good to feel you can be this voice for other people to connect to, to know they can relate to,” she says. “Not everybody gets the platform to help other people,” adds Moore. “I don’t feel we’ve helped anybody in that way but if someone can talk about it, that’s the first step to getting help.”
Heavy though the message of Mind Games is, it’s great music first and foremost and songs like ‘Conscience’ and ‘Rock Bottom’ are getting the band noticed. Eat Your Heart Out have already shared stages with some big acts, touring with the likes of Trophy Eyes and Hands Like Houses, with Simple Plan next on the cards in April. “It’s the first big tour we’ve got,” says Moore, “It’s pretty nerve-wracking.” “I’m nervous!” exclaims Henry, “We have some practice to do to make sure we’re captivating and the best version of ourselves.”
