Erin Mary Carmody (born August 23, 1986), known professionally as Forrest Blain, is an Australian singer, songwriter and pianist. She is known for her unique therapeuticsound and revealing lyrics inspired by both her professional career in Psychology, and her own personal life story.
Forrest began performing in her youth, as a classically trained pianist, and perfected her song writing during what she describes as ‘turbulent times. “I was rescued by my high school teacher who took me in to live with her so I could finish school”. Home life was difficult, being the only child of a Schizophrenic mother.
In 2010 Forrest graduated with honours from the University of Sydney, attaining her degree in Psychology, and went on to forge a successful clinical career.
In 2019 Forrest felt a renewed passion for music and shifted her pursuits to the creation of Music Therapy The Album. “I suppose it was probably brewing for years. It just streamed out of me almost all at once”.
Forrest created Music Therapy The Album out of the bedroom of her Sydney home in a self-fashioned studio. The debut single Stay was created with a close friend who was going through a difficult divorce. Unwittingly the song itself become a form of therapy for the two, who co-wrote it in a late-night session at the household grand piano.
Stay was the catalyst for the Music Therapy Album concept, targeting the internal dynamics of human emotion. “Some of the music is provocative and even painful to absorb, but its also a cathartic experience that can release trapped emotions or even provoke healing for the listener”. The Album spans a full spectrum of human experiences from heartbreak and loss, all the way through to energetic positivity and renewal.
“Psychological devices were used intentionally in the creation of the songs. Music elicits powerful bio-feedback mechanisms which can be used to promote self-awareness, introspection and embodied psychological change. Therapy can be delivered in many forms.”
The debut single “Stay” from the forthcoming “Music Therapy The Album” was released in November 2019 through Forrests’ own label Forrest Industries.
For more Forrest Blain
Facebook: @forrestblain
Instagram: @forrest.blain