The Current (Minnesota Public Radio)

@Meelsmusic on Writing About OCD on "The Wizard" #meels #crittercountry #ocd #songwriting

Songwriter @meelsmusic explains how a banjo‑driven track about obsessive‑compulsive disorder emerged organically while strumming at his grandmother’s house. The piece, one of his first banjo compositions, became a cathartic outlet for his own struggles and quickly turned into a vehicle for broader conversation. He notes that the song’s reception varies dramatically by location—hand‑raising audiences in Los Angeles contrast sharply with the modest response in South Dakota. This live‑feedback loop reinforces the prevalence of OCD across diverse demographics and underscores the power of music to surface hidden experiences. Key moments include his admission, “I didn’t go into it being like I’m going to write a song about OCD,” and the ritual of asking concertgoers to raise their hands, turning each performance into a public acknowledgment of mental‑health challenges. The approach highlights how artists can leverage personal storytelling to destigmatize mental illness, foster community solidarity, and inspire other creators to address taboo topics through their work.