Tom Odell, a musician who has learned his own ways of managing anxiety, talks to Fearne about his first panic attack and shares methods of coping. They discuss the transformative experience of playing the piano, the creative process, overcoming insecurities, transcendental meditation, dealing with anxiety in the entertainment industry, and the deep connection to music.
Playing the piano allows Tom Odell to feel connected to music, providing relief from the meaninglessness of life.
Tom Odell emphasizes the importance of being open about mental health issues, highlighting the shame and stigma associated with them.
Deep dives
Tom Odell discusses his love for the piano
Tom Odell talks about his deep love for playing the piano. He describes it as an engineering meets art experience and shares his awe for the instrument's history and craftsmanship. He explains how playing the piano makes him feel connected to the music and allows him to lose himself in the moment, providing a relief from the meaninglessness of life.
Tom Odell opens up about his experience with anxiety
Tom Odell shares his personal struggle with anxiety, revealing that he has experienced a low-level omnipresent anxiety since his teenage years. He discusses a severe panic attack he had and the subsequent realization of his anxiety. He emphasizes the importance of being open and honest about mental health issues and highlights the shame and stigma often associated with them. He also mentions the increasing prevalence of anxiety among young people.
Tom Odell reflects on the pressure to fit in and find oneself
Tom Odell discusses his feelings of not fitting in and constantly feeling like an outsider. He reflects on his album 'Wrong Crowd' and how it was influenced by his exploration of different social circles and the search for his identity. He also touches on the fear of becoming too comfortable and the sacrifice required to be an artist, as well as the vulnerability of relaxing into contentment.
Tom Odell shares his perspective on creativity and transcendental meditation
Tom Odell discusses the connection between discomfort, creativity, and the fear of becoming too comfortable. He shares his experience of finding solace and inspiration through transcendental meditation, which has enhanced his creativity and enriched his life. He explains how meditation helps him escape and find joy in the process of creating music, and how it serves as a reminder of the depth and beauty that exists beyond the surface of everyday life.
Tom's first panic attack was only a couple of years ago, and since then he has learned his own ways of managing his anxiety. In this revealing interview, he talks to Fearne about that first attack, and share their own stories and methods of coping.