The Soundtrack to a Life : Kartläggning av artisters hälsa i musikbranschen

Sammanfattning: Background: Being an artist in the Swedish music industry in 2023 has been found to labor relations involving challenges related to health, hope, creativity and inspiration(Rödblom et al., 2023). Previous studies have also examined the working environment of artists, such as challenging work relationships, how artistic expression demands emotional awareness, and how this may impact the mental health of artists. However, what is the actual experience of health among artists, and why?Purpose and Objectives Summary: Through this investigation, I contribute to filling the existing knowledge gap and mapping how artists perceive health, and the reasons for their experiences in the contemporary music industry.Methodology and data collection: This thesis constitutes a qualitative study with an inductive approach. To structure the research study, I have chosen to adopt Grounded theory, which has involved entering the field with an open mind, collecting information,and subsequently compiling, coding and reflecting upon the data. I have conducted unstructured interviews with three artists and three managers to gain insights into how artists perceive health, and later also discuss why they perceive health in that way.Results: The findings reveal that the artists' experience of health is shaped by various challenges such as establishing a balance between work and leisure, motivation, social media and how artists engage with it, and challenges regarding their health. There is no doubt that they have a passion for their profession and that this is truly what they wish to dedicate their time and efforts to. However, the sacrifice involved in doing so encompasses factors that pose challenges to their overall well-being and health in various ways. The reason why the abovementioned themes have been highlighted in my interpretation, is because the artists experience a certain frustration, wherein they perceive a lack of support, structure, sustainability, and health in the mentioned aspects. This complicates the artists'existence, encompassing everything from the working environment to their personal life.Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that a clearer demarcation between work and leisure would be advantageous for both artists and their managers. Furthermore, the conclusion reveals that the primary motivation of artists, linked to "a calling" or "the questfor meaning," is intimately tied to their identity and positively correlated with the experience of good health and well-being. The results also indicate that artists encounter stress related to the use of social media, and managers propose that increased insight and openness to alternative creative solutions are necessary, a proposition supported by relevant theories. The implementation of these solutions may potentially enhance the health of artists by mitigating the stress associated with social media. Ultimately, the results also concludes that health is a crucial and topical discourse within the music industry, particularly as certain artists do not perceive their health in a satisfactory manner today.