After being told he couldn’t sing, Mitchell Curley will release a single to raise money for mental health support.
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The 23-year-old’s single 4am (This Is How Love Ends) will be released April 20, with 100 per cent of sales going to Beyondblue.
“I quit music for two years after I broke up with my ex-girlfriend, and I went into a really bad state,” he said.
“I had depression, I was struggling to get up and go to work. I was trapped in this weird world, and it took me months to get through it and find closure.”
While Mitchell did not access Beyondblue’s services, he said knowing the service was there for him to ask for help was a comfort.
“I reached out to my family, and got to the point where I broke down, and I realised the person who is by your side until death is yourself,” he said.
“I wanted to raise awareness about depression and use music for good.”
Mitchell picked up a guitar at 16 and taught himself to play after two months of lessons. He attended Bowral High School, and played while he was at the school.
“I had a friend who said I couldn’t really sing, but that motivated me more,” he said.
“Knowing how music can influence someone’s state of mind, their emotions, it inspires me to keep playing.”
During the week, Mitchell works as a technician with Downer Group in Sydney. But on the weekends, he returns to his first love – music.
He describes his style as indie pop rock with Ed Sheeran influences, and this sound comes through in his new single.
“I wrote this song to express the struggles and pain you feel when you lose someone,” Mitchell said.
“But I want people to listen and interpret the words in their own way, I’d love to hear other people’s stories.”
I wanted to raise awareness about depression and use music for good.
- Musician Mitchell Curley
After consulting with Beyondblue, Mitchell has set up a GoFundMe page for people who wish to donate more than the single’s price to his cause: https://www.gofundme.com/mitchellcurly.
4am is available in all online music stores (iTunes, etc) from April 20.
Follow Mitchell by searching ‘Mitchell Curly’ (without the ‘e’) on Facebook.
If you need mental health support or information, visit www.beyondblue.org.au/.