Lanie Lane is a successful artist in her home country of Australia. Her debut album, To The Horses, was a Top 15 hit in the ARIA charts. But now she’s decided to jack in her professional music career.
Why? Because of the unique pressures that come with being a creative figure in the modern music business.
Lane, who second album Night Shade reached No.42 in Australia last year, has written a farewell note to her fans in which she describes in detail how the “expectations for continued ‘success'” led her to become a “depressed and anxious” person.
Lane is a multi-award winning performer, including picking up a AIR Award for best Blues & Roots Record in 2012. Signed to Mushroom Group‘s Ivy League Records, she also released tracks through Jack White’s Third Man Records in the US.
A statement from the Mushroom Group regarding her decision to retire reads: “We wish Lanie nothing but great health and positivity and hope that she continues to find happiness in this next stage of her life.”
“At times, I have found the constant pressure that a touring and recording artist [experiences] to be unbearable”
Lanie Lane
As you can read below, Lane’s goodbye blog offer a heartfelt message that depicts an industry in which artists are perhaps too often find themselves concentrating on commercial prospects rather than their own expression.
And yet… Lane’s final word is to ask her fans to be “quick to book tickets” to her five last ever shows.
The music industry is an unforgiving mistress, but offers its own particular temptations – not least the satisfying adulation of a fanbase. Whether it’s Kate Bush or Al Green, plenty of worldwide superstars haven’t been able to resist indefinitely before returning for another bite.
Time will tell, then, if Lane closes the door on the music biz for good – or if an industry-standard comeback tour ever materialises.
Lanie lane: A Goodbye
I need to let all of you know that I’ve made a big decision. I have decided that pursuing a full-time music career is no longer for me.
The uprooted-ness of the rock n roll lifestyle just isn’t beneficial for me anymore (on many levels). The ambition (which I believe is a pre-requisite to success in the music industry) of cultivating fame or attention has completely left me now as well. At times, I have found the constant pressure that a touring & recording artist requires to be accustomed to, unbearable.
I utterly respect those who can withstand the pressures of a life constantly on the road, the rigours of the behind the scenes work and the expectations for continued ‘success’.
I personally found myself not liking who I was becoming under stress and difficult circumstances. It felt like a lot of the time I was either depressed or anxious, so I’ve begun to change the circumstances of my life to be back in the flow again.
My love of creating, writing & playing music is definitely not in question here. These aspects are the true joy of music for me. I will always sing when the time is right, but never in a way that puts any strain on my mind/body/spirit or creative flow. I know that I am a MUCH happier and peaceful person when I live simply.
I’m very much looking forward to playing the shows which remain in the calendar and I hope to perform in the future the occasional festival or intimate house/garden concerts for you. I do not plan on any further heavy touring so I encourage you all to come to these last shows.
I thank from the bottom of my heart Winterman & Goldstein Management, Ivy League Records, The Harbour Agency, and Mushroom Group. You’re all incredibly hard working people and I salute your dedication to promoting Australian music!
I have deep deep gratitude for all of you out there who ever bought a record, a t-shirt or came to a show. It is because of your ongoing support that I’ve been able to do something that most musicians only dream of. Thank you so sooo much!!Music Business Worldwide
