[Liquid Drum & Bass] Nicky Havey - Good vs Evil

I'm trying to get myself in the right from of mind to finish off my attempt at Hardstyle for the Blockchain Music Contest. It's been tough trying to fit in all the learning of how to make the sounds for this genre considering it's very far away from anything I've ever made. There's a darkness and roughness about it, a sort of "in your face" style that I'm not used to that I'm trying to gear up for!

So I thought to get everyone in the mood for some heavier sounds from me, I'd head back in to the archives to a track I made called Good vs Evil, an eternal struggle between the good thoughts and bad thoughts that cross our minds every day. I was going through a rough patch at Uni but it was an event years after I finished my PhD that I wasn't expecting to be caught up in when a PhD student who I sat next to and was in my research group left a sticky note on his desk that simply said "I'm sorry =("

I had countless messages and notifications coming through on Facebook from people in the office that knew I knew him and were asking if I could reach out. When I called him, he was by the train tracks. I have no idea if he was going to jump in front of the next train but I was on the phone for 45 minutes convincing him to focus on the things he can control. It's just a PhD at the end of the day, no-one other than you gives a shit about it so make it your own and make plans around what you can do - use the frameworks in place to help you get through and if you need to, get some help from the Postgraduate Committee.

He made a video the next day apologising to everyone online about what happened.

3 years later, he graduated from his PhD and whenever I saw a status update, it was usually positive so I assume he is in a better place now but I haven't kept in contact really since the week after that event happened.

Either way, mental health is no joke. Masking it all with "laddish" bravado is only going to lead to a nuclear explosion in your own mind later down the line and admitting you have depression is definitely NOT a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Those in denial are the weak ones and there's no shame in seeking help if you're in a low point in your life. Samaritans, confidential helplines... call them. Help yourself because only you know your situation more than anyone else.

Take it easy

Nicky

P.S. Picture taken when I was at the Grand Tetons National Park back in 2014... beautiful even in the clouds and that trip certainly helped clear the clouds in my mind :)

PHC Top 3 - A Chance To Win From A Growing Prize Pool

Well, whilst I'm here, I might as well take the chance to tell you about a new contest that I've been a part of with the Power House Creatives called Hive account@phctop3. All you need to do is tell us what your top 3 favourites for a chance to win from a growing prize pool - more info here.

Electronic Music Alliance (EMA)

EMA is a growing electronic music community run by electronic musicians FOR electronic musicians. We have weekly playlists on a variety of platforms to cater for all streaming preferences - make sure you follow our blog for your weekly dose here. We're also launching a new community run label called Electronic Alliance Records which aims to spread the word even more for our artists - check the latest developments and what music is coming up here