When Life Gets Loud, I Turn Up the Music

There are days when everything feels heavy. Not just in the obvious ways, but in that quiet, exhausting way where even getting out of bed feels like a battle. Depression and stress don’t always show up loudly, they creep in, settle deep, and make you question everything. Your worth. Your purpose. Even the point of trying.

I’ve had those days. The ones where my mind loops the same thoughts: Why bother? Nothing good ever happens anyway. It’s a dark place to sit in, and when you’re there, it can feel like you’re completely alone—even if you’re surrounded by people.

But I’ve found something that pulls me out, even if it’s just a little at a time.

Music.

Because music is always there for me. It has never left. When I’m in a shitty mood, I turn on music and it speaks my anger. When I’m sad, I turn on music and somehow it reminds me to smile. When I’m mentally drained, I turn on music and it tells me to breathe. It meets me exactly where I am, without judgment, without expectations… it just understands.

Music has always been my escape, my therapy, my safe place when everything else feels like too much. There’s something about hearing the right song at the right moment that makes you feel understood. Like someone out there...maybe a complete stranger has felt exactly what you’re feeling and turned it into something real, something raw, something you can hold onto.

People always ask me, “Why are you so obsessed with music?”

They walk into my room......what I jokingly call the “bitch cave” and they’re in awe. Every wall tells a story. Pictures of me with bands. Photos with people I met because of those bands who became something more. Autographed drum heads, drumsticks, guitar picks, VIP passes… little pieces of moments that meant everything to me. There are Funkos from bands like Mötley Crüe, The Cure, Disturbed, Def Leppard, Eddie Van Halen, Metallica. A full McFarlane Mötley Crüe stage setup. A treble clef clock ticking away time to its own rhythm. Posters, tapestries, coffee mugs, everywhere you look, it’s music. There’s even a cello sitting in the corner, like it’s waiting for its moment to be heard.

Honestly… it doesn’t stop there. My bathroom? Also music.

And I always tell them the same thing: I’m not obsessed with music......I’m deeply in love with it.

It’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t feel it the same way. Because I don’t know who I would be without it. I don’t know how I would get through the hard days if I couldn’t press play, or feel the energy of a live show. I truly don’t think I could live without it.

Music has been a part of me since I was little. It shaped me, helped me, saved me in ways I probably don’t even fully understand yet. And the musicians? I admire them so much, not just for what they create, but for how they make people feel. That kind of creativity, that kind of connection… it’s powerful.

And it’s not just the music itself, it’s the people behind it. The artists who pour their pain, their struggles, their stories into every lyric. They don’t even realize it, but they’re helping people like me survive moments that feel unbearable. They’re giving a voice to feelings that are hard to explain, and in doing that, they make the world feel a little less lonely.

As I get older, I’m realizing something else too.....people come and go. Some friendships fade. Some people you grow up with, you grow apart from. Some stay, but not all are meant to. And that’s okay.

Because the ones who matter… the ones you truly connect with as an adult… those are the ones who show up. The ones who pick you up when you’re down. The ones who push you to be who you want to be. The ones who take the time to listen. The ones who get you. The ones who truly know you.

I keep a small circle close to my heart. The rest, I’ve learned to let go of, especially the ones who became toxic, selfish, or only cared about themselves. That wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

What’s wild is that some of my closest friendships came from music. I met people through it, and we just clicked. Those are the friendships where distance doesn’t matter, whether it’s 3 hours away or 3,000 miles away, we’ve got each other’s backs.

See why I say music is always there?

I won’t pretend it’s been easy. I’ve had setbacks. I’ve gotten lost again.....lost in depression, health scares, animal scares and loss, and the heartbreak of not being able to work with bands or do shows like I love to. That kind of silence can be loud in its own way.

But even in all of that, I never stopped building something for myself.

A dear friend gave me one of the biggest opportunities of my life, to help run his agency and be part of booking bands for venues. I’m now involved in the Sims Artists Group, thanks to my friend and phenomenal independent artist Mick Blankenship. I’m also just about ready to launch my online store for Independent Uprising, where I’ll be selling T-shirts and merch with a portion going back to support independent artists.

On top of that, I’ll be selling my crystal healing bracelets, handmade by me with natural crystal beads. Each one is made with love and positive energy, cleansed, and created with intention. They’re designed to help with anxiety, depression, creativity, stress.....honestly, whatever you may need, there will be something for you. I’ll have a variety of styles, some with charms like music notes, the tree of life, and other meaningful symbols, because I truly believe the universe guides us where we’re meant to go.

I’ll also be offering custom bracelets. So if there’s something specific you want or need, just let me know.....I want each piece to feel personal, like it was made just for you.

And yes… I’ve finally mastered making them so they won’t break if you stretch them too far, lol.

And I’m getting ready to launch my own podcast, a place to talk about music, bands, everyday life… honestly, whatever comes to mind. I’ll be doing music reviews, keeping up with my blogs, and just continuing to create.

And the best part?

Concert season is coming back around.

Saturday, April 4th, I’ll be heading to Cadillac to support Mick Blankenship and Driving Dawn. Friday, April 10th, I’ll be back at The Token Lounge, my old stomping grounds, to support four local bands and Mick again (and hopefully see some familiar faces). Then May 1st, I’ll be seeing Yungblud, and later in May, Triumph and April Wine.

You already know the blogs will be coming.

Through everything....the highs, the lows, the setbacks, the rebuilding, it has always been about music.

And it always will be.

Peace, Love and Loud Music,

Mickey 🤘🖤💜

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eBOiKzHcPw