The Conversation: I am me - Moray Musicians Promote Men’s Mental Health

Mental health is a topic that has been much discussed of late, particularly in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic when everyone’s way of life was turned upside down. It is now universally agreed that we need to bring the topic of mental health right out into the open and to engage everyone – particularly men - in discussions. Men, historically, have been more than reticent to discuss matters that are troubling them, preferring instead to adopt the stiff upper lip approach – and this approach can lead to introspection, thus adding more complications.

To highlight men’s mental health issues, Moray businessman and musician Alan Jamieson, known by everyone as AJ, has brought together local musician friends to record a song called “The Conversation: I Am Me”, which was released on Friday 9th December on all digital platforms including iTunes, Spotify and video on YouTube. The song features solo artists and members of local bands The Fragz, Into The Pines, Danny Mortimer and MacTa. Collectively they are : AJ (bass, ukulele and lead vocals), Ali Robertson (lead vocals), Blaire McKenzie (drums), Danny Mortimer (lead vocals, guitar), Gary Moyes (lead vocals), Angus Lawson (keyboards), Mark Aldridge (backing vocals) and Tom Morris (guitar). Mention must also be made of the valuable contribution of Phil Wiles (mixing engineer) and Blaire McKenzie (recording engineer).

Alan admits that mental health issues played a large part in his life, from his teens onwards, and