Episode 16: Music Journalism and OCD, with James McMahon

James McMahon was Features Editor of NME in the early 2000s, and the Editor of Kerrang 2011-2017. He now freelances, writing about music, gaming and mental health.  We discuss life at NME and Kerrang, the merits of music journalism as an endeavour, the chaotic lifestyle of journalism, what it means to be a music fan, and James's lifelong struggles with OCD which ultimately led him to leave Kerrang and re-evaluate his life.Photo Credit: Tom OxleyFor more on James and his projects: Website: https://www.jamesjammcmahon.com/ His OCD Chronicles, where he interviews peoples with OCD: www.itstheocdchronicles.com Indie Heaven, where he tracks down childhood indie heros: https://www.jamesjammcmahon.com/-indie-heaven For support with OCD: https://ocdaction.org.uk/ OCD Action helpline: 08453906232 To find a support group: https://www.ocduk.org/support-groups/ OCD Stories (stories and podcasts on OCD): https://theocdstories.com/ To find a therapist trained in working with OCD: https://www.ocduk.org/overcoming-ocd/accessing-ocd-treatment/accessing-ocd-treatment-privately/finding-a-private-therapist/ More info and advice:Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/about-ocd/ Mad Covid: https://madcovid.wordpress.com/72-2/ Order of episode: Intro, and explanation of OCD, intrusive thoughts and images: 0.00–19.30 Rage Against The Machine, Know Your Enemy: 0.21The Doors, Love Me Two Times: 2.33Nirvana, Polly: 5.55Morphine, Shame: 8.55NGHFB, Alone on the Rope: 11.20 Interview with James: 19.30–1.56.59 Morphine, Cure for Pain: 1.29.10 Interview with James ends: 1.56.59 Sub-Pop Sundays, You Amaze Me: 1.56.60 Outro, support and contact info: 1.57.56 Follow Sound Affects Podcast:Twitter @SoundAffectsPodFacebook @SoundAffectsPodInstagram sound_affects_podcast Email soundaffectspodcast@gmail.com Subscribe to Sound Affects on iTunes/Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all preferred platforms Support Sound Affects Podcast ko-fi.com/soundaffectspod

Om Podcasten

Welcome to Sound Affects Podcast – featured in NME's Podcasts for the People series. A music & mental health podcast exploring all crossovers between music and mental health: how music and sounds affect us somatically and psychologically, the songs that see us through, what drives people to music careers/a life on the road, the music industry climate, music therapy as support for mental illness, music fandom, music journalism and research in all these crossovers. I speak to well-known musicians and figures, experts, therapists, academics, researchers, authors, journalists, charities, and music fans. Each episode is an interview with a guest centred around a specific theme of music and mental health. Sound Affects is produced, edited and hosted by me, Katerina – a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist working professionally in both the NHS and private practice. I'm also a freelance sub-editor and writer published in The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and Wellcome Collection. Before becoming a therapist, I was a Samaritan helpline listener supporting people struggling to cope with suicidal feelings, and I worked full time as a copywriter and editor for Samaritans during the time of the charity's male suicide research launch. I've worked in magazine and newspaper publishing for many years and spent a lot of time during this time speaking to musicians and creative people. The idea for Sound Affects came while writing about and interviewing bands – I noticed a theme emerging around existential identity and just how sad some of the so-called "rock n roll" stories of excess were. I was also aware of just how much music impacts me, and in particular, specific bands and sounds. It is no secret that I'm a huge Oasis fan, and this theme features regularly in this podcast as alongside my interviews, I occasionally pause to reflect and consider what draws me to this music and how it has shaped me. When I trained as a psychotherapist, I drew together all my interests, culminating in this podcast. I often see musicians as clients for therapy, and I routinely appear in the press and radio commenting on various aspects of therapy and emotional health. I've been a guest on BBC Radio, and appeared in OK! Magazine, Psychologies, Stylist, Grazia, The Independent and more.