In 2017, We Banjo 3 played to over 300,000 people live across the US on a tour titled Light In The Western Sky, which was based on the idea that in the darkest of hours, there’s always a glimmer of hope to cling to. The show centered on a song called ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, which our singer David Howley wrote about his own struggles with mental health and depression.

The reaction to the tour was overwhelming, night after night meeting survivors and the bereaved, people struggling who were moved by the acknowledgement of mental health issues. We didn’t fully anticipate the extent to which our music would connect with people, or the extent of their suffering.

Our new album Haven is an expansion of that theme; that music is a refuge for people, and that our role as musicians is to provide a few hours of fun, joy and connection in a deeply conflicted world. We grew to understand that people seek connection above all else, and as a band, we have a unique opportunity and maybe responsibility, to do just that. Connect. It’s the magic essence of a great live show.

100 Voices was published in the Hot Press Mental Health Special in conjunction with Lyons Tea and Pieta House as part of the Now We're Talking Campaign. For more please visit hotpress.com/now-were-talking/