How we listen to music has changed. With streaming, social media and 15 second TikTok’s it’s rare we listen to a full album anymore. Sometimes, though, a body of work comes along that stops you in your tracks. 

This week, Niall is joined by Gary Lightbody, lead singer and guitarist with Snow Patrol. The Irish band have just released their first album in 6 years, ‘The Forest Is The Path’, which may be their most vulnerable record to date. The band approached this album in a different way than they have before, with the first lyrics coming to Gary while emerging from a numbness following the death of his father. Niall and Gary get into the process of making the album, along with Gary’s relief to finally feel again after grief and putting it in writing. They also discuss their shared passion for mental health reform, with Gary’s particular focus on the suicide rates in Northern Ireland, and how music is what saved him when he went through his own dark night of the soul. 

This episode discusses some sensitive topics, please take care when listening.

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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