Music, Mateship & Mental Health - with The Pragmatics
Based on our recent conversation on the 10 Minute Mood podcast
For more than 11 years, The Pragmatics have played hundreds of shows across Sydney and beyond — pubs, clubs, beer festivals, beaches, balconies, even the 90th birthday of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
But under all the noise, the harmonies and the good-times vibe sits something deeper: being in a band together has become one of the most important mental health anchors in our lives.
We spoke about this recently on the 10 Minute Mood podcast, and the conversation felt worth sharing with our broader community too.
Why Music Became Our Safe Place
For each of us, music started long before The Prags existed.
It was the thing we turned to as teenagers — buying singles, rushing home to play them 30 times, learning chords, finding identity in sound. As adults, it’s become something else entirely.
“If we’re playing and people are loving it, I feel at home. I get less anxiety doing a gig than ringing a plumber.”
Music lets you step out of the chaos of work, family, obligations and be absolutely present. It can be a hiding place or a release valve. Sometimes both at once.
The Power of Routine, Rehearsals & Showing Up
When we first formed the band, Monday night rehearsals through winter at a cold St Peters studio were non-negotiable. Every week. No excuses.
It was hard. But it bonded us. And without even realising it, that time became a protective routine — a guaranteed space to reconnect, unload, reset and laugh.
Even now, after hundreds of gigs, the ritual matters.
“We spend half an hour before every rehearsal just asking each other How are you?. There aren’t many opportunities in life to do that with people you trust.”
A Decade of Life, Shared
Across 11 years we’ve been through the full spectrum: births, deaths, job changes, marriages, divorces, burnout, sickness, wins and losses.
Through it all, the band has been a through-line.
We’ve built trust. A place where “R U OK?” isn’t a campaign — it’s just something you ask because you genuinely want to know.
We hug. We tell each other “love you, man.”
We talk about the stuff our dads’ generation never could.
And then we play rock ’n’ roll really loudly, which also helps.
The Magic of Playing Live
Something happens on stage when it all locks in — between us and between us and the crowd.
It’s chaotic, joyful, ragged, transcendent.
“When we’re flying, I feel like I can fly. When the crowd straps in with us — it's transcendence. A moment of freedom for everyone.”
We’re lucky to play for audiences that span generations — from 20-somethings who don’t know a single song to 60-somethings who know every riff.
If they dance, we’ve done our job.
Advice for Anyone Wanting to Get Back Into Music
If you’re someone who’s loved music but hasn’t played in years — or you’re worried you’re “not good enough” — here’s our two cents:
Just start. Learn three songs and hit an open mic.
Find a local jam group. Sydney Jammers and Meetup groups are full of welcoming beginners and returners.
Reconnect with mates. If you’ve got friends who used to jam, call them.
Don’t wait for perfect. We weren’t perfect either (still aren’t).
The magic comes from the people, not the level.
Music can give men a place to belong.
A reason to show up.
A community to lean on.
And sometimes, a path back to yourself.
If You Want to Join Us Live
We’re playing across Sydney through the summer — pubs, clubs, breweries, festivals.
👉 See upcoming gigs: https://www.thepragmatics.com.au
👉 Watch videos: https://www.thepragmatics.com.au/video
👉 Join the mailing list: https://www.thepragmatics.com.au/home#Subscribe
Thanks again to Nat & Aspasia from 10 Minute Mood podcast & Sydney City Psychology for having us.
If the episode helps even one person pick up an instrument again or reach out to a mate — that’s worth more than any encore.
