Mind Blown! A Punk Rock and Mental Health Renaissance in Glens Falls, New York
“I’m not sure if you feel it, Sean, but I think there is a renaissance happening in Glens Falls,” said Chuck Copenspire halfway through his Mind Blown music festival.
It started as a collaborative idea between Shane, Heather, and Chuck only a month ago, but through a perilous and stressful time crunch, their first festival has arrived. Promoted as a heavy metal, punk rock and mental health awareness extravaganza, it was held outside the Glens Falls Shirt Factory, overlooking its beautifully decorated garden of murals. The parking lot was filled with dozens of artisans, band merchandise tables, and beer-tenders from Mean Max Brewery, doling out cold and fresh craft beers.
The event was an all-day affair, opening at one o'clock with a rotating selection of bands playing until ten in the evening. It was surprisingly family friendly, with a mixture of families and adults enjoying the gorgeous weather, music, and community. Heart Support, one of the many venders, had an amazing blown-up wall with community written messages of hope for those in despair. Heart Support is a non-profit organization that was founded by Jake from the metal band, August Burns Red. It helps train thousands of volunteers in peer support to help those struggling with debilitating mental health struggles. The event has a still-ongoing fundraiser that has raised over $7,000 from donations and sponsorships.
They had markers and small blank boards with Velcro, so anyone can write a message to place onto the blown-up wall. Messages like, “You are enough”, “Keep going; push past your fears”, and “It’s ok not to be okay; better days will come” were shown for everyone to read. Given my own mental health struggles and growth, I wrote a message to provide validation, writing, “Don’t believe every though in your head. You are not your thoughts. Reach out for help!”
It was incredibly uplifting to share internal struggles with others, allowing people to find space amid inner chaos. The event as a whole felt that way, as music is a wonderful avenue to voice both our pain and pleasure. The lyrical ballads from every band, from Seize Atlantic, Death Cult Pharmeceutical, Lex Naturalis, and more, were a compendium of human consciousness that offers hope to those willing to listen.
The festival was also a way to support the dozens of local businesses inside the Shirt Factory. At the main booth, if you buy and wear a wristband with an empowering message, wearers can get discounts to the shops. Whether books from Black Walnut and Beldame to antiques from the Barn and Brick Company, visitors can get lost in the maze of independent shops on three floors. Growing up in the 1990’s, I thoroughly enjoyed Manic Media, a shop that has cultivated a growing selection of VHS tapes, old videogame cardridges, and other childhood memorabilia.
By the time the final band played its last tune, and all the vender tents were taken down, it was truly a day of hope and healing through art and music. As Chuck pointed out, the atmosphere in the air felt empowering, like change was upon us. For those of a certain political persuasion, this year can be scary, with so many uncertainties and changes in store for America and the world. But remember to keep holding your head high; live to fight for what you believe in. Keep living with your own truth, as long as it does not harm others. And be a part of this new community of people, showing the world that kindness is not to be silenced.
