**Country Artist Alana Springsteen Reflects on Healing Through Music in New Album**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/alana-springsteen-1-5ff673ba7a42497d80c140c9c96e1a4d.jpg)
Emerging country star Alana Springsteen recently unveiled her second studio album, *I Hope This Helps*, earlier this year. The 26-year-old artist has attributed much of the album’s depth and emotional resonance to her experiences with therapy, which have played a significant role in her journey of self-discovery and healing from past traumas.
Despite sharing a surname with legendary musician Bruce Springsteen, Alana has no familial ties to the iconic artist. However, that hasn’t stopped people from making assumptions. “I get it a lot,” she shared, referring to the numerous messages she receives from fans mistaking her for Bruce’s daughter. Alana’s father, who grew up in a small town in Illinois, often recounts humorous anecdotes about the confusion. His family, being the only Springsteen listed in the local phone book, would frequently receive calls intended for the rock star. “People would call the house and be like, ‘Is Bruce there?’” she laughed, highlighting the quirky twist of fate that has followed her lineage.
Alana’s musical journey has been marked by a continuous exploration of complex themes. In *I Hope This Helps*, she delves deeply into her personal experiences over the past three years, addressing issues of mental health and self-acceptance. The album, she notes, documents a pivotal period of transformation in her life.
“These tools — somatic therapy, talk therapy, EMDR — have changed my life,” she explained. “I reached a crossroads where I had to choose myself for perhaps the first time. It was either confront my issues or continue the painful cycles that plagued me.” This commitment to self-care and reflection laid the foundation for her latest work, and she emphasised that the album encapsulates her growth during this tumultuous time.
Collaborating closely with her therapist, Alana integrated therapeutic insights into her songwriting process. “Sometimes I would take a song to my therapist, and sometimes I would incorporate discussions we had directly into the writing room,” she revealed. “In many ways, it feels like I co-wrote this album with therapy. I genuinely couldn’t have achieved it without that support.”
One standout track, titled “Note to Self,” emerged notably from this therapeutic experience. The song tackles the challenging topic of her teenage eating disorder and other childhood struggles that had long remained unspoken. “Writing that song was terrifying but also incredibly healing,” she reflected. The honesty embedded in her music has not only served as a creative outlet but has also facilitated crucial conversations with her family. “I had some talks with my mom that I probably wouldn’t have been able to address otherwise.”
Alana acknowledges that music has always been her medium for tackling difficult conversations. Her commitment to her mental health extends beyond her songwriting, as she actively participates in initiatives such as the Not Alone Summit in Las Vegas, an event dedicated to advancing mental health awareness.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Alana noted the profound impact of growing up around unhealed personalities and unresolved traumas. “I didn’t realise how deeply it affected me until years later,” she candidly admitted. “I found myself in relationships with individuals who were not good for me, and now I can see the red flags I missed back then.” This self-awareness is a testament to her transformative journey, where she is learning to prioritise her own wellbeing rather than defaulting to being the ‘strong one’ for others.
As Alana Springsteen continues to carve her path in the music industry, it is evident that her experiences and commitment to mental health are reshaping not only her artistry but also her life. With *I Hope This Helps*, she offers listeners not just an album, but a powerful narrative of healing and personal growth. Through her music, Alana Springsteen firmly establishes herself as a vital voice, advocating for both self-acceptance and mental health awareness in an industry that often overlooks the importance of emotional wellbeing.
About the Author
