Rocking The Blues Away With LUKE KAROLAK From RUINATION

Interview by Kris Peters
Depression and mental health are becoming an increasingly prevalent
condition, especially in the modern age where sometimes just living
can become a struggle.
They are real problems with no definitive answer. Problems that
could affect any one of us at any time.
As much as money always helps in any situation, perhaps more
importantly in these cases the vital factor is more
awareness.
Awareness that it can and does happen. Awareness that it is not
your fault or something you should go through alone and awareness
of the fact that sometimes it’s okay to not be okay and the most
important first step to helping yourself is communication and
putting your troubles out there for the world to see, hear and
help.
One way to do this is by staging events – of any nature – but when
music is your life and passion the default mechanism generally
switches to live events. And, as we all know, musicians do it
better than most.
On September 16 the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane will host Rock
Beats Depression, featuring an eclectic assortment of local and
interstate bands uniting for one common cause. Brisbane metal
warriors Dreamkillers head the bill, with Black Whisky, Goatzilla,
Gutterfire, Tailor Made Rejects, Krave and more coming together for
a common cause.
The day will raise not only awareness, but also funding for The
Black Dog Institute, Beyond Blue and Headspace.
Each week HEAVY will be speaking with bands on the line-up about
what being a part of Rock Beats Depression means to them. Today we
catch up with Luke Karolak, guitarist/vocalist for Sunshine Coast
rock trio Ruination.
"Rock Beats Depression was actually something that we were asked to
do last year," he offered. "We were fortunate enough to get a foot
in the door, and to be asked back is a big thing. We love what it
stands for and Caity is amazing. There's so many awesome bands on
it again this year, so it's gonna be great."
In the full interview, Luke talks more about the meaning behind
Rock Beats Depression, what message he hopes people will take out
of it, supporting each other and speaking up about your problems,
the cathartic nature of music, Ruination's next EP and what it will
sound like and more.