Katie Melua on “small warning signs” after suffering acute psychotic breakdown from music industry and touring

nme.com:

Katie Melua has opened up about suffering an acute psychotic breakdown earlier in her career, attributing it to the pressures of the music industry and touring.During an appearance on the Origins With Cush Jumbo podcast, the 40-year-old singer-songwriter explained: “I had what is called an acute psychotic breakdown and it was crazy.

Suddenly that lifestyle of three flights a week, flying from Australia, Japan to America and then let’s make a new record. Let’s write new songs.

Let’s find the band for it. Make sure you look good for it.“The visuals, the styling, all of that. And then, you know, go on tour, repeat, repeat, repeat.”Jumbo – who is an actor and writer – responded by sharing her experience of post-natal depression, “because [she] had to go back to film so quickly” after her son was born. “In many ways, it’s unsustainable,” she said.“Yet you’ve got all these people around you, but in another way you’re in a bubble because you’re the only person going through this experience.”Melua replied: “Well, yeah.

The experience of finally going out on stage and performing… I loved my team, I loved the crew, the band, the makeup lady, the stylist, you know, everyone, you know, working for management.