Kendall Corso - Co-Founder and COO of Backline, A Holistic Approach to Mental Health for Touring and Festival Personnel
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For many years, discussions around mental health, especially depression, anxiety, fatigue, burnout, and addiction, were things we didn’t talk about in the music industry. They were looked at as signs of weakness. You’re only tough if you can work 12-16 hour days, five to seven days a week. The problem with doing that is that something else suffers when so much of your time is dedicated to one thing, especially if that one thing is completely mentally and physically draining. With a lifestyle like this, health can suffer (physical or mental), families, relationships, and we develop unhealthy habits. Is this really worth it?
It makes me so happy to see the conversation around mental health becoming more common in the music industry, and being taken more seriously. Kendall Corso is the Co-Founder and COO of Backline. A company focused on the mental health of the people working behind the scenes of tours and festivals. Backline offers many services from referrals for counseling, courses in meditation, yoga, nutrition, support groups, and much more. Kendall got her start in the music industry in the touring and festival world, and has first hand witnessed the struggle with mental health and issues such as depression, addiction, anxiety, suicide, and more. In the music industry, we know the backline as being the backbone of the instruments on stage, the amps, the drums, keyboards, turntables, and so on. Kendall’s company, Backline, is like the backbone of your mental and physical health.
In this conversation, we talk about signs for mental health issues, getting help, how to have open talks with your leadership, and much more.
Quotes from Kendall Corso
“Volunteering is a good way to start (with music festivals). It’s how to build a rapport with the people who are going to be making the decisions.”
“Any part of the industry is kind of a 24/7 gig with not a lot of office hours or structure.”
“When you're spending life on the road, it’s difficult for people to maintain their adulthood.”
“It’s just healthy to talk it out and to not let things build up between people who are stuck on a bus or van for weeks at a time.”
“Smoothies are awesome because you really feel the energy that those fruits and veggies give you.”
“It’s about conversations and being up front, and asking more than telling.”
“Feelings are ok.”
“Another thing about the music industry is that their family doesn’t really understand it.”
“There is a fine line between persistent and being annoying.”
“Always have multiple sources of income.”
Highlights from this Episode
[4:50] Early journey in the music industry and college
[6:08] About Backline
[8:03] Kendall’s Journey in the music industry
[13:22] NOLA Crawfish Festival in New Orleans
[14:38] Getting into the festival world
[15:48] Inspiration to starting Backline
[17:42] Common calls they receive
[20:07] Making our industry more mindful
[23:50] Getting venues involved with Backline
[27:24] Small adjustments to transition to better health
[31:06] Meditation and virtual offerings
[32:25] Identifying when someone is struggling
[34:05] Having more mindful conversations
[36:12] Effect from COVID-19
[44:44] Not feeling comfortable speaking up with bosses
[48:41] Getting to Know Kendall Corso (Rapid Fire Questions)
Links to people, places, and things mentioned
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
Music Masters Camps
The Allman Brothers Band
Brandon ‘Taz’ Neiderauer
School of Rock the Musical
Live for Live Music
NOLA Crawfish Festival
Mempho Music Festival
Neal Casal
Fit on Tour
St. Augustine Amphitheater
Come Together Program from Backline
Frequency Mind
SunFest - West Palm Beach
Kendall Corso’s Definition of Making It:
”You’ve gotten to a place where people are recognizing that the work your doing is important for the larger community, but you’re also at a place personally where you’re comfortable.”
Get in touch with Kendall Corso:
https://backline.care/
Facebook | Instagram
Related Episodes:
Katie Zaccardi - Wellness and Self Care [Episode #095]
Heather Mae - Making Pop Music Her Own Way [Episode #093]
Neal Casal - Stories from a 30+ Year Career [Episode #043]
Keep in touch:
chris.goyzueta@gmail.com
www.makingitwithchrisg.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/
https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg
Credits:
Host: Chris Goyzueta (Chris G.)
Producer: Jason Trosclair
Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency
Music: Emily Kopp
