Let’s Get Physical
It seems these days that sex, drugs and rock n’ roll aren’t necessarily as top priority as they were. Is the new M.O. leaning toward cross-fit, meditation and a gluten-free diet?
Staying healthy on the road (and off) with so many temptations crossing your path every day can be rough. Opting to scroll on socials while eating that bowl of chips they put in your dressing room that happens to be in front of your face and calling for you to “eat me” can often take over your need to take a stroll or get in a quick workout. Same with office jobs where you’re stuck in front of a screen the better part of the day.
In this panel, we’ll be discussing nutrition, yoga and meditation and how to do a workout anywhere with whatever you have on hand to make sure you’re in top form both on and off the road, mentally and physically.
Mod: Katy Irizarry // Suspiria PR (US)
Katy Irizarry is the owner and founder of Suspiria PR, a boutique Public Relations company that promotes extreme, enigmatic, and esoteric music and events in North America. With over a decade of publicity and marketing experience, Katy Irizarry got her start in the music business at the tender age of 17, where her first bylines were published in the nationally syndicated print magazine, Metal Edge. From there, she expanded her horizons into radio, working on various production roles at SiriusXM and PodcastOne, where she was notably Eddie Trunk’s producer from 2011-2021. During this period, she also continued to write, having bylines in Loudwire, Revolver Magazine, Metal Insider, Outburn Magazine, and many other notable outlets. Eventually, her passion for radio and journalism led her to her first marketing position as a radio promoter, which ultimately led to discovering her true niche as a music publicist. Having worked for many PR companies and record labels since 2015, Katy eventually went her own way in 2022, solidifying her place among the premier extreme music publicists in North America with a diverse and impressive roster.
Shayan // Trial by Fire / Trivax (IR)
Shayan is a musician and fitness coach, born in Tehran, Iran, after the Islamic Revolution. He grew up in a world of totalitarian religious extremism, under the rule of cultural and societal restrictions - defying which could lead to punishments of imprisonment, or even death via order of execution.
He is best known as the frontman and guitarist of the Black Death Metal band, TRIVAX, who were originally conceived in rebellion, at the heart of the Islamic Republic in 2009. They are now based in the UK and perform live shows internationally.
In addition - Shayan is the host for the Iblis Manifestations podcast, where he has in-depth and nuanced conversations with artists, journalists and entrepreneurs, predominantly within the underground scene, where they discuss all aspects of music, life and beyond.
He is best described as a free speech absolutist, spiritual explorer, fitness fanatic, psychedelic adventurer as well as a Rock n Roll & Extreme Metal connoisseur
Maria Rizell Hegg (SE)
After teaching yoga professionally for a decade, Maria is now an Oxford undergrad student of creative writing.
During her years as a full-time yoga teacher, she worked with rehabilitating yoga for physical ailments and people recovering from addiction. She also developed yoga specific for hockey players and still works with ice hockey goalie talents. For the love of alternative music and animal and human welfare, she ran charity classes that were choreographed to metal, punk, and rock.
Suzi Green // The Back Lounge (GB)
Suzi Green has a music career spanning 25 years, and has tour-managed artists including PJ Harvey, The Chemical Brothers, and Grace Jones. After experiencing burnout, she left the industry and retrained as a Nutritionist and having returned to the business, using her skills on tour, to the benefit of artists and crew. Passionate about wellbeing, Suzi’s aim is to help bring awareness around both physical and mental health in live music. During the COVID shutdown, she founded a peer support group The BACK LOUNGE as a way for live music professionals to connect and one that continues to grow in numbers and provide a global community and promote best practices. She has recently completed a Masters in Psychotherapy with the aim to use this added skill within the music industry and she is a Trustee for Music Support, a charity assisting with mental health and addiction issues. Suzi has won a number of awards including TPI ‘Unsung Hero Award’, Pollstar’s ‘Inaugural Impact International List’ and Women in Live Music ‘Tour Manager of the Year’.
The BACK LOUNGE is a peer support group for anyone working professionally across live music touring and events. Their aim is to make touring better, promoting positive mental health, a diverse workforce and best practice in a tough industry without HR and often without accountability. They offer community via weekly zoom discussions on various themes and with a global reach of participants at all stages of their careers in every role, they are there for support when you’re on one of those ‘difficult’ jobs, and equally to celebrate your triumphs. There’s no formal membership, connect via email or socials and drop in as.
