Do artists “feel” more? Are songwriters more susceptible to substance abuse?
Last night while watching the Colbert Report, Natalie and I caught Audra McDonald’s interview about playing Billie Holiday. McDonald shared the experience of conveying Holiday’s voice on stage, a voice that was full of emotion, a voice affected by substance abuse problems by the end of her career.
“If you think about other singers who had issues like this…They are experiencing everything at a deeper level, so maybe we don’t have to…” McDonald emphasized artists feel more.
This is one of those cliches that sounds true, but I don’t believe it.
I don’t think songwriters or artists feel more emotion than the average person. Instead, I believe there is a creative impulse in all of us.
I also don’t believe “artists” are more susceptible to substance abuse because they are artists.
Maybe substances are more prevalent in artistic circles or environments (bars, clubs, etc), but it has nothing to do with being an artist.
No, both of these things have everything to do with the human condition. Which might be why art, music and expression are so important, for all of us.
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