What is the relationship between alcohol and creativity?

There is a commonly accepted idea that alcohol and creativity come hand in hand. When we look at many creatives who have been in the spotlight over the decades, it isn’t uncommon to see problematic drinking habits linked to prolific creative output. In this conversation, creatives share how they changed their drinking and the things they learned along the way. They all share their fears, and the sense of freedom to create that sobriety brought. We also discussed this recently with Kyle Ambition, a musician who took a break from alcohol and now moderates his consumption.

Who is Liz Horsman?

Liz Horsman is a songwriter, producer, blogger and sometimes videographer.  Her songwriting and production work feature on albums by artists such as Gabrielle Aplin, Rudimental, Emeli Sande, Rizzle Kicks, JP Cooper and Tom Walker. She hosts this discussion on alcohol and creativity, and has written guest blogs for us in the past.

Who is Janet Devlin?

Janet Devlin is a 25-year-old Northern Irish singer-songwriter, who grew up the only girl and youngest of four, outside the village of Gortin in County Tyrone. Her musicality and determination flourished from a young age and she joined YouTube in 2006 at age 12 to push out her music to the public. This gained an unexpected but welcome fan base who were ready to support her in the next stage of her music career. In 2011, she caught the public’s attention on Series 8 of The X Factor, where she consistently received the highest consecutive public vote out of all the contestants and gained a place on the live arena tour. In this interview she reveals how she separated alcohol and creativity, and learned to thrive as a sober artist.

Who is Sharon Walters?

Sharon Walters is a London-based artist who creates hand-assembled collages celebrating Black women. The series, entitled ‘Seeing Ourselves’, explores under-representation in many arenas in particular, the arts and heritage sector and mainstream western media. So often blackness is represented as ‘other’.  Sharon provokes an alternative narrative of empowerment.  Each piece is a reaffirmation of the right to ‘take up space’ even when you don’t see yourself in certain settings. Since graduating with a degree in Fine Art from Central St Martins (University of the Arts) in 2011, Sharon has developed her practice and continued her work with community arts organisations and museums, using them as platforms to explore and collaborate with the voices of those who are often unheard. The work encourages us to ‘take up space’, be seen and create our own spaces.

Who is Ashleigh Precilla?

Ashleigh Precilla is and artist and DJ, who you may know better as DJ Katash. She is a travelling DJ, presenter, and fitness instructor, with a passion for adventure and a curious thirst for culture. She shares her experience of finding her feet as a sober DJ.

Who is Chris Hamilton?

You may know Chris Hamilton better as Ill Tone, a hip hop artist from Vancouver Island, Canada, where he’s also a prominent member of the recovery community. Known for high-energy performances, he’s toured in nine countries, appearing on bills with such acts as Tech N9ne, Xzibit, Talib Kweli, Rakim, Maestro Fresh Wes, Snak the Ripper, Merkules and Pete Rock & CL Smooth, among others.