One of the brains behind an album in aid of East Anglian charity Julian Support has spoken out about his own battle with mental health issues.

East Anglian Daily Times: Gaffa Tape Sandy. Photo: Barny CutterGaffa Tape Sandy. Photo: Barny Cutter (Image: Archant)

Thirteen track vinyl and download album This Is The Sound Of Sugar Town Volume 2 has been co-released by Bury St Edmunds based Pure Deadly and Cambridge’s R*E*P*E*A*T Reconds.

From his early teens to the end of his 20s, Co-curator Seymour Quigley’s life was almost destroyed by mental health problems that he felt unable to discuss or disclose. By the time he was forced to seek help, he’d lost his job, home and most of his friends.

“With the right support I was able to rebuild my life, but I was lucky where many others are not. Due to its all-too-often invisible nature, mental illness is the unspoken pandemic of our age,” says the musician and live music promoter.

“Organisations like Julian Support offer a vital lifeline, supporting people with mental health problems through their darkest times and helping them to regain a sense of agency over their own lives.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Cathedrals and Cars. Photo: ContributedCathedrals and Cars. Photo: Contributed (Image: Archant)

The compilation, which has the backing of BBC Radio 6music DJ Steve Lamacq, features new tracks by Bury St Edmunds acts Bracken, Cathedrals and Cars, The Cuts, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Horse Party, Jack Rundell, Janet Street Slaughter, Siah, Suburban Minds, Sun Scream, Tundra, The Virtues and The Wilsons.

All the profits will be given to Julian Support which helps people with mental health issues lead independent lives. It was set up in Norwich more than 25 years ago. It began operating in Suffolk seven years ago, with offices in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich.

The 12” album is limited to 300 copies and can be streamed or pre-ordered with immediate download here. It will also be available in all good record shops while stocks last and on iTunes, Spotify etc from July 7.

There’ll also be a series of launch parties.

East Anglian Daily Times: Janet Street Slaughter's lead singer Dave Jago. Photo: ContributedJanet Street Slaughter's lead singer Dave Jago. Photo: Contributed (Image: Archant)

The first is at Vinyl Hunter Record Shop, Bury St Edmunds, noon-6pm, July 1, with performances by The Virtues, Janet Street Slaughter, Tundra, The Cuts, The Catch and Jack Rundell plus DJ sets by Kate Quigley, Barny Cutter of Fortunato, Seymour and Ellie Langley of Horse Party and Kate Wood.

From 6pm-11pm that evening The Hunter Club, Bury St Edmunds, 6pm-11pm, July 1, will see performances by Cathedrals and Cars, Suburban Minds, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Bracken, Sun Scream and Siah. Entry is £5 with all proceeds going to Julian Support.

The last takes place 7pm-10pm, July 8, at Relevant Records, Cambridge, with performances by Gaffa Tape Sandy, who play Glastonbury today; Tundra and Siah.

Click here for more about Julian Support’s work.