No matter how invincible you may feel at times, unfortunately, no one is immune to the powers of life. While that statement may sound like something out of some self-help book your parents gave you as a teenager, the sentiment still holds true to this day.
Regardless of how strong and unbreakable you might be feeling one day, life and its mysterious, unexplainable inner workings can change things at the drop of a hat. Just ask New York emo rock outfit Persona.
Back in 2010, after a successful run with his then-band The Vision, vocalist Tom Spartinos was blindsided when the act unexpectantly decided to break up. Trying to come to grips with his band’s demise, Spartinos was soon struck with another blow as his grandmother had suddenly passed away.
“I have had my times in life where I struggled or felt down but always had an outlet or friend to turn to when things got bad. I never experienced a situation or time like 2010,” explained Spartinos. “I was going through so much all at once and had really no one to turn to or guide me through it. I yearned for so much and still had nothing. I felt cursed.”
Addressing his pain from nine years back, the outspoken vocalist put together an emotional new song titled “Not That Bad” for his newest band Persona.
“It’s only human to experience the triumph and tragedies of life,” says Spartinos. “The greatest gift of feeling and emotion can also be a haunting curse. ‘Not That Bad’ was written with these dark and hopeless times in mind, in hopes to spread awareness of mental health and it’s various triggers and forms.”
Sharing a similar connection to Persona’s Have Mercy-like single, guitarist Costas Themistocleous addressed his own experiences with “Not That Bad” saying: “I was homeless, broke and dealing with addictions that cost me my sanity and nearly my life. I fell victim to my own circumstance and environment and found myself struggling to break free from [the] curse and prosper.”
Themistocleous added, “Mental health is something we all hold near and dear to our hearts and want people to know that it is okay to feel the way you feel as long as you are dealing with it in a healthy and positive way. There is no shame in dealing with these circumstances and if you are feeling depressed or hopeless, reach out to someone or preoccupy your mind with something that makes you happy and just know that it will always get better.”
To check out Persona’s heart-wrenching new track, which they say was written for those “who feel empty and hopeless inside and for those who feel cursed and are ready to just give up,” be sure to check out their James Morano-directed music video starting Spartinos in a soul-stirring role. Afterward, for more from the band, head here.
Lastly, and most importantly, after watching the video below, Spartinos would like you to remember: “No matter how hard, disheartening, or hopeless you feel, do not give up. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. It is not the end.”
