The Power of Music in Recovery

The Power of Music in Recovery is a virtual panel hosted by Soberocity to discuss the impact that music can have on your recovery journey. We will hear from musicians and music therapists alike as they discuss what role music played on their road to recovery.

Hosted by Sober Coach and Founder of LivingZeroProof, Jen Hirst, our panelists include: Founder of Rock to Recovery and Acclaimed Guitarist, Wes Geer, Kyle Pfeiffer, aka Blacklite District, We are Cloud Gang Founder and Front Man, B-RAiN, and Audio Alchemist and Founder of LifeRhythms, Robert Alexander.

This panel will be held on Friday, July 23rd at 7pm EST and is free to all. We do offer a $5.00 general admission ticket that also goes towards the programming of more panels such as this one. We do our best to offer as many free events as we can, any contribution made will ensure we can continue to offer low to no cost events in the future.

You can also become a patron on our Patreon (patreon.com/soberocity) for updates and offers on events as well as the ability to grab tickets one week before they go on sale to the general public.

Key Information

• Tickets are free for anyone who RSVPs, you will receive the Zoom link on the day of the event
• You will need to be able to access Zoom or a telephone line to attend this virtual event
• Please email us at alexandra@soberocity.com should you have any accessibility requirements for attending this event

The Panelists

Wesley Geer has been a professional musician for over 20 years. He first found success as the founding member of Jive Records artist Hed P.E. as guitarist, songwriter and producer. After touring the world for eight years, Wes left the band for a lifestyle change and ultimately landed in rehab. Then in 2010, at almost three years sober, he was approached to play with the legendary band Korn. He joined Korn and worked with them as their touring guitarist for the next several years, traveling to 42 countries, headlining shows, playing to crowds of 80,000 people, and appearing on a number of recordings and cable and TV shows. His music has been featured in many feature films, video games, radio, and television shows.

Wes also has long had a passion for teaching music. Previously a music teacher at The Fusion Academy’s Huntington Beach campus, Wes taught Recording Arts, Drums, and Guitar.

When Kyle Pfieffer became Blacklite District nearly a decade ago, it was with the intent to create music that touched upon all of his influences and the music that raised him, simultaneously becoming his source of inspiration and therapy. Over the tenure of his career, Pfeiffer endured many ups and downs on the road to the top. His music turned from life enhancer to life saver. As Blacklite District returns with new music and a new lease on life, he maintains the same credo from the start of providing an authentic experience for every new and returning listener who presses play.

His upcoming release “Live Another Day” is purely autobiographical, followed by the deeply personal “To Live Is To Suffer.” The entire process is different, as Kyle brings a new approach to Blacklite District with a completely clear head. His self-started label AK19 Entertainment is the hub that houses it all, as his music continues along a diverse path of Rock meets Hip-Hop, fueled by his innate talent of melding various worlds of music together. It’s as if Post Malone and Juice WRLD met Linkin Park, in the best way possible. “Music has saved my life many times,” he says in earnest. “I feel like these are some of my most personal and raw songs that I’ve ever done.”

Brian “B-RAiN” McCall was raised by a single mother in a city just outside Washington DC. Parents were divorced at an early age as a direct result of B’s fathers addiction. He was always hugely influenced by music,to him, music quieted all the “noise” that was going on inside his mind. B has struggled with mental health since a very young age, being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and depression. So the music he listened to helped him calm his mind.

Until hitting 18 and being incarcerated, B didn’t see his lifestyle as an addiction or a problem. He was content with being in jail, because he didn’t see any purpose to his life. During the years of his incarceration, he continued to use drugs. And then in 2007 his father overdosed and it devastated B. Then about 6 months later, the courts told him he would finish his sentence early if he went to drug treatment. So he figured, why not?

Probably the best thing that could’ve ever happen to him. He was able to get out of the area that his addiction thrived in, and truly start to build a life. It was like a fresh start. B didn’t start creating music seriously until he had about 6 years clean, because he wanted to have a firm message in what his music was about. His personal growth and taking his recovery seriously was more important than taking his music seriously. Since then, he’s been creating music about his recovery… hoping to reach those that have struggled the way he has, and show them that this life of recovery is possible for anyone willing to take the action towards it.

Robert Alexander is the founder of LifeRhythms. He is an Audio Alchemist - a creator of powerful pieces of personalized music that can help you create a greater sense of ease, wellbeing and alignment in the areas of your life that you desire most in this current chapter of your life.

Robert designs custom tailored soundscapes that are used to help his clients create a greater sense of wellbeing. Many of his clients are experiencing major life transitions, medical challenges and/or experiencing a multitude of conditions related to anxiety, trauma, depression, grieving, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), ADHD and PTSD. Many of those classify themselves as empaths and HSP enjoy working with me. Very much similar to a doctor's prescription, Robert is (metaphorically) creating “audio prescriptions” - personally created soundscapes that are catered directly for individuals and their specific needs. Customized affirmations and customized soundscapes are wonderful tools to help his clients overcome illness, move through difficult life patterns and obstacles, help them create a new belief systems and promote more happiness, excitement and wellbeing.

Whether he creates music for a business or an individual, every soundscape is uniquely and specifically crafted for each client. Each client owns all of the rights to their music, noting is ever duplicated for another and nothing is ever released publicly without their written consent.

The Host

Jen Hirst is a graphic designer by day, sober & fitness coach, speaker and founder of LivingZeroProof on the side. Sober since April 24, 2013, she coaches women struggling with alcohol on how to implement healthy habits to manage stress and overwhelm to forge a sustainable path to recovery. Throughout her eight years living alcohol-free, she values the importance of taking care of all aspects of your health in sobriety: your physical health and your mental health. Jen preaches that exercise is the best medicine, and by moving your body… you can change your mind. She resides in Minnesota with her husband and two children.

About Soberocity

Founded in 2017, Soberocity’s mission has always been clear: we want to connect people living a sober life with like-minded individuals through online meet-ups, live streams, and more. We want to change the perception of what it means to live a sober life and make it achievable and attainable for everyone suffering, or who has suffered, from addiction. Soberocity also believes in helping our community to stay sober and to pursue a sober life by offering sober resources and a unique opportunity to connect with other sober individuals. For us, sobriety is a spectrum and we fully embrace all looking to join our community, for together we are infinitely strong.

Soberocity is for anyone with an interest in retaining or gaining sobriety worldwide, including:

• People who are sober curious
• Anyone who is new to recovery
• Anyone who has been in recovery for a long time
• Sober companions, sponsors, and counselors looking to learn more about the sober community
• Anyone looking to be surrounded by the sober community and be uplifted by it

Privacy Notice

Please note that this panel discussion may be recorded and shared online after the event. We may also use photos and screenshots from this virtual event to be used both internally and externally for learning, marketing and promotional reasons.

If 'dialing-in' to this event by telephone, your number will be visible on the Soberocity Zoom screen. You can dial '141' before the number you want to call to 'withhold' it.

Any views, information or opinions expressed by third parties during this panel discussion are the speakers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Soberocity or its affiliates.

If you have any questions, please email alexandra@soberocity.com.