Shining Phoenix is an example to many. She not only deals with having multiple sclerosis, but keeps making music for the masses who need it the most
Reflection alongside fear, disgust, joy, love, shame, sadness, surprise and anger is the name of the game of the new album ‘Inside Us’. It is what has inspired this interview. All of those emotions while dealing with a disability/condition can bring out the best and worst of us.
Within this interview, it’s clear to see the journey Shining Phoenix has been on in life. Grab a coffee and read all about the talented artist.
As we dive into this interview, I want to check in and ask how you’re doing mentally?
Thank you for asking. Yes, experience has shown that the winter months tend to be a bit more difficult for me. But I’m doing quite well this year. Being creative with my music helps me enormously.
I know you have multiple sclerosis, which is a big part of your messaging when it comes to your art. Have you found it difficult to talk about your disability/condition?
Interestingly, I don’t find it bad to talk about my MS. On the contrary, I see it as my job to a certain extent to make people more aware of this disease, because the number of people with MS has increased significantly since 1960. Unfortunately, we still know far too little about multiple sclerosis and it is still considered an incurable disease whose cause has not yet been researched. So I am not only a patient, but at the same time I also feel like a researcher in the field of MS, because I have to find out for myself what could delay, stop or preferably cure my MS.
The reason I ask about talking about having a disability/condition is that I have Epilepsy, and can fully understand how challenging it is to even know where to begin talking about the realities of dealing with it. How has music played a part in your healing journey with Multiple Sclerosis?
I’m very sorry to hear that. I feel for you and wish you healing of your nervous system. I attribute the increase in illnesses that affect the nervous system to today’s stressful lifestyle. But you asked me something else.
Yes, I firmly believe that music can have a healing influence on people. Music, like all other artistic and creative activities, is the language of our soul. We can express our feelings through art. Feelings, in combination with thoughts (patterns) and experiences, are what make us healthy or ill.
This does not mean that we have to be full of joy 24/7, no, that would be a false assumption, but dealing with our feelings appropriately is extremely beneficial. This is exactly why I came up with the idea of releasing an album in which we take a journey through our emotional world, because each song stands for a specific feeling.
Has being a tarot reader also helped you heal? I’ve seen your Instagram videos and I love that it also explores the meaning behind every track – this is a Virgo asking you these questions by the way!
(Smiles) That’s right, Virgos like to analyse and want to know exactly! But interpreting only the sun sign (colloquially: zodiac sign) and drawing conclusions about a person’s personality from this is a very simplified and therefore often incorrect application of astrology.
The profound interpretation of my birth chart helps me a lot to understand where my talents lie, where my challenges are, what my life tasks are and which methods are helpful for me. You can actually use astrology to analyze your whole life.
To your question: I’ve only been working intensively with tarot for two years. One day, YouTube suggested a video of a tarot reader to me and I was immediately fascinated. I can now read tarot cards myself. When I’m the person asking questions, I mostly consume tarot readings on YouTube. They either make me aware of blind spots or give me confidence. So yes, they help me and I am grateful that fate has led me to all these wonderful and talented tarot readers on YouTube and that I have learned to read the cards myself.
Speaking of Instagram, there’s a video of you walking with two walking sticks as you’re clearly struggling. It’s a powerful thing to do and considering it’s so hard to show the bad days when dealing with a condition/disability, how did you find the courage to upload it?
Thank you. Yes, it actually took a lot of effort for me to upload this video because I want to show my best side, especially as the artist Shining Phoenix.
It also upsets me when I see myself like that. My thoughts immediately devalue me. I know this is wrong, I haven’t learned it yet. Again, that was the decisive reason. I said to myself: “You are who you are!” It’s just tiring for me when I try to hide the real me.
But this is a big lesson for me, because I actually want to please and when someone doesn’t like me, it has always hurt me immensely. But, actually, it’s his problem because I can only be who I am and I try really hard to be the best version of myself. The rest is beyond my control.
What do you think is a common misconception about Multiple Sclerosis?
That multiple sclerosis can be kept under control with the right medication. From my experience I can say that this is not the case. It may be true for some MS patients, however, MS is not MS. There are also different forms. The best-known form is relapsing-remitting MS, for which there are now a number of different medications available, but none that can cure MS.
However, relapsing MS is a little easier to manage. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with the rare form of primary progressive MS. There is only one medication for this and it has only been on the market since 2018. For me, every day is a surprise and that makes my life difficult to plan. But over time you develop tactics. However, primary progressive means that the state of health is progressively worsening. The approved drug can at best delay the process. That’s not very hopeful!
How do you feel disabilities/conditions are represented in the music industry?
Disabilities/illnesses were largely kept secret or were a reason for ending a career. When I was young (in the 90s), singers and bands were only at their best. But, at the moment, there is a change taking place in this regard. Minorities are asserting themselves more and more in show business and can no longer be pushed back.
Society is becoming more accessible to individuality and outsiders. Of course, this never applies to everyone. There is always a countermovement, but that is completely normal in a dual world. That shouldn’t stop you from achieving your own goals and desires. Of course it is much more difficult for minorities. In my case, with walking impairment and a major loss of energy, it is not only mentally more difficult, but also physically. I’m in a battle with myself almost every day.
What’s next for Shining Phoenix?
In 2024 I finally want to go on stage because live performances are what fills my heart. When the instruments sound live, the electric guitar howls and the drums start, an incredible amount of energy and power shoots into my body.
I’m currently in the planning process for a show in London. Let’s hope my health doesn’t get in the way.
I would be happy to see as many people as possible sitting in the audience when the motto is: RISE FROM THE ASHES!
Check out Shinning Phoenix‘s latest album below:
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