Lewis Capaldi says he will quit music if his mental health worsens
Ewis Capaldi said “a few panic attacks” and that his Tourettes diagnosis was worth the trade-off for a pop star’s life, but if his mental health were to deteriorate he would be forced to give up music.
The Scottish singer-songwriter released his second album, titled Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, on Friday, following the debut of a one-off Netflix film that chronicles his rise to fame and personal struggles.
Capaldi, 26, told Rebecca Judd on her Apple Music show that his mental health issues are a “direct symptom” of his job.
“I think on this album in particular, I’m speaking a little more about my mental health, which has been on the brink of late,” he said.
“I’m managing better now but I think in 2020 I was kinda glad when we got put into lockdown because I had done my first arena tour in the UK and before that we had just done an Australian and Asian tour and I felt bad, I had panic attacks every day on stage and I was just shy.
“I still haven’t quite made it, but it’s interesting that the thing you love to do and always wanted to do turns into something that gives you so much heartache, but that’s the modern world.”
Capaldi said his latest album or next album could be his last.
He said, “If I had made another album and my head was messed up and I felt awful, I’m at a point now where I can balance my mental health and my general feeling.” Not just the mental one Health, but the compromise is worth it.
“I’m ok with having a few panic attacks and Tourette’s and stuff, but if it gets to the point where I get mentally depressed and I stop looking after myself in any way in that way, I think that would be a point , which is when I don’t take care of myself anymore.’ I would say, ‘I’m just not going to do this anymore’.”
The star added: “The main reason I got into music was to play live and if it’s ever hard for me I think I’m in trouble there because otherwise that’s the reward, that’s the point , to do it.”
“If at that point it felt like it was going to turn into something I didn’t like, stressed out, or hated, then I’d probably wrap it up.”
Capaldi also shared the advice of pop star Ed Sheeran, who topped his charts and co-wrote his number-one track “Pointless.”
“[His advice]was more about songs and writing the best songs possible, and everything else doesn’t really matter,” he said.
“He was very supportive when I had questions about whether I should have an upbeat song or a slow one, or what single to put out, or blah blah blah blah, he was sort of a sounding board there for me.
“He never really told me what to do, which I kind of appreciated, but he was a good conversationalist.”
He also joked, “I think in hand-to-hand combat I could spank his ass. But in terms of chart positions, he’s definitely at the top.”
Capaldi mentioned Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney as someone he “definitely” would like to meet, but admitted he has a “real problem” remembering famous people he’s met.
The singer explained he only remembered meeting US actor Tom Hanks at an Eagles concert with former One Direction star Niall Horan after Hanks’ wife Rita Wilson shared the story on ITV’s Lorraine ‘ told it again.
Listen to the full interview on The Rebecca Judd Show on Apple Music 1 on Tuesday, May 23rd.
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/lewis-capaldi-paul-mccartney-ed-sheeran-scottish-netflix-b1082403.html Lewis Capaldi says he will quit music if his mental health worsens
