Tom Misch has explained his current break from music, saying that the “intensity” of the industry had affected his mental health.
The south London musician and producer (aka Supershy) shared an update with fans on social media this week.
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“I’m not one to post super personal stuff on socials but I felt some context is needed to inform you guys where I’ve been/where I’m going,” Misch began.
“You may have noticed I’ve taken a step back over the last few years. This project got bigger than I ever imagined.. throughout my 20s I felt my career growing and growing. Having you all around the world supporting what I do is amazing and I’m very grateful.”
He continued: “However a few years ago the intensity of it all caught up with me and came at a cost to my mental health and I stepped back for a while.”
Misch went on to explain that “taking some time away” had “definitely been needed and very formative” for him, in “exploring who I am outside of this project and trying all sorts of new things”. He also said it was important for him to spend “more time with family and friends”.
“I also wanted to engage in music outside of releasing and touring, and setting up the Wildflower music workshops with my mate Isaac [Westmore, producer], working on other projects with other musicians behind the scenes, has been a really important part of that,” he added.
Misch told his followers that he had still been “tinkering away with [his] own music”, but had been doing so at his “own pace, behind closed doors and not wanting to shout about it”.
He concluded: “Thanks for sticking around and supporting me through this next chapter.”
Misch released his debut studio album, ‘Geography’, in 2018. He followed it up with 2020’s ‘What Kinda Music’ – on which he collaborated with Yussef Dayes – before sharing his first record as Supershy, ‘Happy Music’, in 2023.
In 2024, the artist joined Loyle Carner for his All Points East takeover in Victoria Park, London. Misch shared his latest EP, ‘Six Songs’, in December that same year.
Last summer, a 24-hour mental health support service was launched for people working in the music industry. Universal Music Group announced a new music mental health fund earlier in the year, in partnership with the Music Health Alliance.
Figures from the music industry spoke to NME in 2023 about the “dangerous” impact that touring can have on musicians, while offering up help and advice for World Mental Health Day.
