photo by Evan Jenkins
After wrapping up his residency at Brooklyn’s Union Pool on Tuesday evening, singer-songwriter Ryley Walker announced that he is canceling his upcoming European tour dates in April. Walker explained in a note to fans on social media that he will be taking time to focus on working through his mental health issues.
“My mental health is at an all time low, and those closest to me have determined its best I seek help instead of going on tour,” Walker writes. “I have always prided myself on work ethic and never canceling a gig. However, my life is at risk. I desperately need to take time to seek clarity through professional help. Need to be cared for in a controlled environment. I’m gonna try to kick my substance abuse and extreme depression. Both have been a part of my life since I was very young, and it’s all coming to a head. I’m suffering. I need to protect myself and those around me from self destruction.”
Walker—who played a dark, short 40-minute improvisatory set at Union Pool last night—also apologizes to fans and promoters, ending the note by saying that he hopes to return to the stage after taking the mental health break. “I love playing tunes with all my heart and the friends I’ve made over the years,” he writes. “I love you all.”
18 Comments comments associated with this post
Page
March 30, 2019 at 7:36 pmIt’s hard to believe that something so organic & honest on the part of a musician, can turn into such a hateful, homophobic tirade. No wonder depression is so common in our society.
Nick
March 28, 2019 at 2:38 pmmmmhhhmmm
his skinny jeans are cutting off the blood flow to his brain
Soft.
Keith Richards
March 28, 2019 at 9:45 amI’m laughing my ass off at you spoiled bunch of whiny pussies… This is what music has become today? Maybe he does need to transgender himself…
MarZaPhiGar
March 28, 2019 at 9:40 amFwiw “I’m not going to europe to play music cuz im nutso” is a pretty nice problem to have.
me
March 28, 2019 at 3:36 pmFWIW, wanting to die, or worse yet, suicide… simply because there are chemical imbalances in your head is far from a nice problem. It’s even a bigger problems that insensitive assholes like you, Nick and “Trump” don’t give a shit about anyone but yourselves. That is, until you or your loved ones are affected and then you become the “pussies” looking for help and compassion that you are so quick to spit on today. Do and say whatever you want, you think it’s funny but, trust me, most of us think you 3 are nothing more than keyboard pussies who wouldn’t have the nuts to talk half of the shit you do to someone’s face. And, as Donald pointed out, Karma is a bitch… so, enjoy your 3rd grade humor asshole.
MarZaPhiGar
March 28, 2019 at 9:36 amGet better ya crazy bastid
GOD
March 27, 2019 at 7:02 pmALL OF YOU, GO FUCK YOURSELVES.
nick
March 27, 2019 at 2:21 pmcandy Ass is probably hooked on pot
TRUMP
March 27, 2019 at 3:09 pm@NICK,thank you for saying what needed to be said. This generation of artist are simply whining complaining losers who can’t handle their own success. Try working at Walmart and see how depressed you are. We are fucked with this new “transgender” tolerant generation. Who will be the first to blame everyone else for their problem and demand the government do something for them for free.
me
March 27, 2019 at 4:08 pmHey, dumb and dumber… what does pot or working at Walmart have to do with depression, or maybe it’s just that you don’t understand what you are talking about? Is being ignorant a choice or do you actually have limited mental faculties? If it’s the former, then you might want to consider working on the 3rd grade level (I’m being kind) understanding of depression that you currently possess. Where did the article mention Ryley blaming anyone else or asking for government assistance? I didn’t notice any mention of transgenders either. A comment like that out of the blue might suggest you are fighting some internal urge but be careful, there are direct links to suppressing your true feelings and depression. Talk about candy ass pussies, you two are cream centered Hershey kisses…
Donald
March 27, 2019 at 7:06 pm@trump Karma is a bitch. Small letters intentional.
Mike
March 27, 2019 at 2:09 pmHe’s very smart to work on this now. Self medicating seems to go hand in hand with depression. I suffered for many years before I was diagnosed at the age of 46 with bipolar disorder. A few years of therapy and daily meds fixed me right up. At 60, I am happier than I have ever been and dealing with this was a major step. Good luck to you, Mr. Walker!
me
March 27, 2019 at 1:06 pm@ Nick… yes, you are… what a pathetic comment to make. I hope you don’t ever find yourself in a dark place, feeling like life isn’t worth living, all while wanting to feel anything but how you do. Like drowning while desperately trying to find a way to the surface. Don’t know him other than the song played on Jam On but whether it’s Ryley, Justin Beiber or whomever, mental issues can be crushing to experience yet so hard to to understand when looking at someone who appears okay. It’s awesome to see both Ryley and Justin continue to push forward and I wish them nothing but health and happiness. There are good times to be had, so keep fighting to get to them. Peace…
Donald
March 27, 2019 at 1:21 pm@ME thank you for saying what needed to be said. I hope Ryley is around to entertain us for years to come.
Nick
March 27, 2019 at 12:33 pmfuckin pussy
dingus
March 27, 2019 at 4:20 pmhi – go fuck yourself, you human pile of shit. thanks!
Mark
March 27, 2019 at 12:15 pmshoddy reporting, folks. the show was not cut short. it was a (just under) 45 minute improv set, about par for waht he’s been doing at this Union Pool residency. it ended very organically.
Doug S.
March 27, 2019 at 12:10 pmIt takes a lot of strength to stop a runaway freight train from going off the tracks. Nothing but respect for him.