Sunday, June 3rd marked what Gang Of Youths fans refer to as ‘Magnolia Day’, the day on which the events depicted in the band’s breakthrough song ‘Magnolia’ are said to have occurred.
Now, to mark the four-year anniversary of the song’s inspiration, frontman Dave Le’aupepe has shared a post to Instagram which has seen him open up about his mental health issues in the past.
Taking to Instagram in the midst of Gang Of Youths’ current overseas tour, the group’s famously charismatic frontman shared the deeply honest and introspective post, thanking his friends and family for helping him to get to where he is today.
“4 years ago, I tried to kill myself,” Dave Le’aupepe began. “There was this moment, where the belief that there would never be anything more than the shit and piss in everything overwhelmed me for a moment, and I made a decision to make it all stop for good.”
“On that day, even though I believed I was shit and piss, my friends didn’t. My friends saved my life, and they continue to do so every day.”
“In saying that, every day can still be hard and weird. my job leaves me depleted and often sleepless, ridden with anxiety and worry. Often, I am not worthy of the platform onto which I’ve stumbled. often I feel like letting the dark swallow me up,” he continued.
“There are days I roll over and look at my wife and wonder why she bothers sticking around — but she does, she has, and miraculously she continues to do so.”
“So every year, I think back to June 3rd, 2014. The day where my friends let me know that I am not shit and piss. I am reminded that my wife, the band, my loved ones, my family and you who care about what we do in GOY have given me more reasons to get up out of bed than I could enumerate.”
“That the answer to this question called life is, as Nietzsche proclaims, simply ‘yes’. so thank you all for helping save me, little by little, day by day. Look after each other, say sorry to each other, forgive each other, talk to each other. Let the world know you will not yield, and that your spirit will not kneel today.”
“I’m not gonna be on social media much from now on, because I am pathetically devoted to my phone these days, and I wanna be devoted to other things, in the world outside, hope that’s ok,” he continued. “Anyways. I love you. I’ll keep trying my best to do right by you all, and I will try to do better when I fuck up.”
“I am glad I am still here.”
Gang Of Youths are set to kick off some European dates within the next week, before dipping back to Australia to play at Splendour In The Grass, before a whirlwind trip back to the US which will lead into the group’s long-awaited homecoming tour.
If you or somebody you care for needs help or information about depression, suicide, anxiety, or mental health issues, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Check out Gang Of Youths’ ‘Magnolia’:
Gang Of Youths 2018 ‘Say Yes To Life’ Tour
Saturday, November 3rd (Sold Out)
Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, WA
Sunday, November 4th
Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, WA
Tuesday, November 6th (Sold Out) (Sold Out)
The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday, November 7th (Sold Out) (Sold Out)
The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday, November 8th (Sold Out) (Sold Out)
The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
Monday, November 12th
The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
Tuesday, November 13th
The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday, November 14th (Sold Out) (Sold Out)
The Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS
Friday, November 16th
The Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS
Saturday, November 17th (Sold Out) (Sold Out)
The Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide, SA
Sunday, November 18th
The Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide, SA
Wednesday, November 21st (Sold Out) (Sold Out)
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Thursday, November 22nd (Sold Out) (Sold Out)
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Monday, November 26th
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tuesday, November 27th (Sold Out) (Sold Out)
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Thursday, November 29th
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tickets on sale now from Gang Of Youths’ website
