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Photos: Paul S Allen Taken at the Black Lives Matter Rally in Dunedin, New Zealand 14 June 2020 Please visit https://blacklivesmatter.com/ website and support the cause. Enough is EnoughBlack Lives Matter
Blog Archives
Mental Health – my current journey
I am back at work now after having a few weeks on medical leave for anxiety and depression. I am working short weeks for a while and have made other arrangements to support my re-integration back to work.
Firstly, and just so you all know, I am receiving good medical care and medication is starting to kick in, and also I am receiving counselling and other support. Most importantly I am safe.
I still am battling through, which is not easy at times and is tiring, and certainly have my moments when I need to take a break.
Some of the people and things that are good and are helping me get through are, my very loving and supportive wife, some very good friends, music (writing, performing, and collaborating), and MusicHelps .
Anxiety has been great for writing songs and I have written 14 songs in the last 6 weeks, while depression makes me not want to even pick up my guitar. Anxiety and depression are a very strange combination.
Why am I being open?
As kiwis and as blokes (generalisation), we are terrible about seeking help and support when we need it.
I thought that as I have always been an advocate for people with mental illness that it is good for me to be up front and open that I am now one of the many people who also have a mental illness.
I have sought out help from my GP and a counsellor for what I am dealing with and it does help.
Hopefully this will encourage others to get help too.
So the important take away from what I am going through at the moment is this…
…Do not be ashamed or embarrassed to seek help if you are struggling – use the 1737 help number if you need to, make use of the EAP services, counselling, or other support services that are available, talk to your close trusted friends, discuss it with your doctor.
Check out for your friends, ask them if they are OK and genuinely support them if they need it.
Know that you are not alone in the dark, and there is hope even if it doesn’t feel like it now (note: even as I write this I have to remind myself of this. )
New Zealand Support Contacts
- 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number
- Healthline: 0800 611-116
- Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865
- Samaritans: 0800 726-666
- General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366
- The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
for NZ music industry people
Check out MusicHelps
New Album “And He Flies” being launched in NZ Music Month – May 2021
Kia ora koutou
You are warmly invited to come to the launch of my second album “And He Flies”.
This will be an opportunity to hear the stories behind the songs and the album.
It will be held on 14 May at the wonderful Gallery on Blueskin which have always been a great supporter of local Dunedin musicians I would love to see you there.
Celebrating #NZMusicMonth by launching a new album.
Details for where you will be able to purchase / stream the album will be posted here on the 14 May 2021.
There will be a further celebration of the album in July with an event with other artists supporting and playing the album with me… details to follow.
Ngā mihi.
For immediate release. 22 April 2021
A passionate Dunedin musician is releasing his second album.
Singer songwriter Paul S Allen has been a stalwart live performer for more than 30 years in Dunedin.
Paul S Allen releases his second full album, ‘And He Flies’ on May 14, 2021.
And He Flies is a ten song album which as a followup to his 2019 album “Stay”.
“The album takes the listener on a searching musical journey.” Paul Allen said.
A multi-instrumentalist Paul S Allen arranged and plays every instrument on And He Flies.
“The album’s title track is the seventh song on the album, which is closed off with Hold Me Close” he said.
With Allen’s reflective lyric style, his original songs are from the heart and soul drawing on observations of the world around him.
English born, but now is a proud Kiwi, he’s also a passionate supporter of the Dunedin music scene.
Paul S Allen is celebrating the release of And He Flies with an album release event at Gallery on Blueskin in Waitati, on Friday evening, May 14th.
Paul S Allen will have hard copies of And He Flies and his previous album Stay available at the release show.
Links to And He Flies will be online at Spotify, iTunes, and Bandcamp and are set to go live on May 14th.
Paul S Allen plays in Gallery on Blueskin at 6:30pm Friday 14th to celebrate the release of his second album And He Flies.
For further information contact:
I Went For A Walk…
I went for a walk
Alone with my thoughts
No sound but the sea
and the calling of birds.
No city hum
No vehicle roar
Just silence and peace
The world’s call to rest.
Stay – Album launch 10 November 2019
Getting ready…
Album launch 🎶 just over a week to go…
Come to the gig to celebrate with me,
I am being joined by the wonderfully talented Bronwyn Halley
Album Launch “Stay” by Paul S Allen with Bronwyn
The album will be available on Sunday 10 November at the launch gig at Dog With Two Tails
Options will be…
- USB (with songs cover art and bonus video)
- CD (for those who like a spinning thing)
For those not able to get to the gig it will also be on…
- iTunes,
- Spotify
- Google Play
- Bandcamp
- …and wherever you listen to music.
I will have my 2020 calendars available at the gig, and combination deals will be made.
