Charity single aims for Christmas number one with antidote to The X Factor

Posted Tuesday 7 December 2010

A Scottish singer-songwriter is taking on the winner of the X Factor in the battle for this year’s Christmas number one to raise money for mental health charity Mind.

'Snowglobe', by acclaimed musician Dean Owens, looks at the darker side of Christmas, drawing on his experience of depression and the difficulties that the festive period can bring.

Dean explains:

A couple of years back, while suffering from a bout of depression, I became very aware of the pressures of this time over the festive season. I was struck by how much pressure we are put under by advertising and the media to spend money we don't have and get ourselves in even more debt. I felt very trapped and depressed by the whole thing.

Being a songwriter I was inspired to write about it and although 'Snowglobe' is a song about struggling to cope with life during the festive season I feel it also has a hopeful spirit about it.

Although I never actually reached rock bottom I did feel I needed someone to talk to. I'm lucky enough to have a wonderful family and friends so it never got to the stage where I felt the need to call a charity like Mind. It did however really make me think about others less fortunate than myself who have no one to turn to in this situation and who struggle to cope during the Christmas and New Year period.

Mind does an amazing job and I would love to help raise awareness of their work, reminding people that no matter how hard things get, they are never alone.

'Snowglobe' is available through iTunes and Amazon, with any profits made donated to Mind, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales.

Dean will also be playing a benefit gig Mind in Brighton and Hove on Thursday 9 December.

Check out Dean’s website for further details. 

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