May is Mental Health Awareness Month and bringing further awareness to the cause and closing out the month, Sounds of Saving, in partnership with 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, reveal a new chapter of their acclaimed series “Song That Found Me At The Right Time.”  

They sat down with hardcore legend Walter Schreifels who is known for his work with Youth of Today,  Gorilla Biscuits, and Quicksand (among other bands) to discuss his mental health journey in the New York City hardcore scene and specifically what My Bloody Valentine’s song  “Don’t Ask Why” means to him. He shared his take of the song exclusively for Sounds of Saving.  As a special treat, Walter also performed an acoustic version of the Gorilla Biscuits classic “High Hopes.”  He shares, “I’m honored and thrilled to be included in Sounds Of Saving’s fantastic video series and to be a part of their mission to ease mental suffering through the connecting power of music. As a musician playing guitar helps me to process negative emotion at the same time that it draws me closer to like-minded and supportive people, it doesn’t solve my problems but it reminds me that I’m not alone and there is hope beyond the feeling of a passing moment. The good news is you don’t need to play guitar, music is everywhere if you open yourself to it.”

Sounds of Saving share, “It was such a treat for the SoS crew to spend the day with national Hardcore treasure Walter Shreifels and chat about the positivity that is inseparable from the music he has created over the decades in legendary bands Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand & Rival Schools. Walter is a beloved and revered figure in the New York punk scene and the entire genre, and it’s easy to see why when you spend time with him. He exudes authenticity and hard-earned joy, dispelling any ideas that hard music need be created by a hardened artist, echoing the way melody finds its home in both the hardcore and post-hardcore work in his career. Walter shared openly with us about how he found NYC hardcore punk at a time of personal teen angst, and how the community created by the music became a chosen family with lifelong mental health benefits. At a time when a lot of teens are struggling with isolation, Walter’s message is invaluable in showing how a real-life connection through music and subcultures can be uplifting and life-affirming. While we were excited to work with an artist who represents an aggressive genre, Walter went full acoustic for our video, offering not only a gorgeous cover of the My Bloody Valentine song that found him at the right time but an unplugged take on the Gorilla Biscuits original classic ‘High Hopes.’”

Sounds of Saving created “Song That Found Me At The Right Time” to promote honest, intimate conversations about mental health and inspire action for those in need of support.  SoS has produced over 20 videos and interviews with artists from multiple genres including conversations with Sharon Van Etten, keiyaA, Indigo Sparke, Allison Russell, CHAI, Madison McFerrin and Bartees Strange. Watch them all HERE.  

On Mental Health Action Day (May 18) Sounds Of Saving partnered with Erick The Architect, Pink Siifu,  Cleo Reed, Maassai, Bryndon Cook, and Deem Spencer for an event bringing mental health awareness to 2 New York City High Schools.  The artists each performed a short set for the students and then participated in breakout sessions with the kids which were led by a therapist.  The program ended with each group sharing their Mental Health Action plans and ideas.  

Next month Sounds of Saving will join the North American Re:SET Concert Series as an official nonprofit partner.  The tour covers 26 dates in 12 cities and SoS team members, along with associated mental health professionals, will attend each show engaging with the audience and artists alike.  The Re:SET dates and more information can be found HERE.