Alex MacDonald of Mermaid Island

On episode 136, host Jason Schreurs talks to Mermaid Island vocalist/guitarist Alex MacDonald about channeling aggression and other strong emotions into punk rock. When Alex moved from Atlantic Canada to LA, she struggled to find likeminded musicians to satisfy her constant need for stimulation and expression. Starting from the ground up, Alex was able to rediscover her authentic self through punk.

Featured song clips:
Mermaid Island - "Panic Button" from Mermaid Island (No Dad Records/Anxious and Angry, 2026)
Mermaid Island - "Perfectly Happy" from Mermaid Island (No Dad Records/Anxious and Angry, 2026)
Mermaid Island - "Mona Lisa" from Mermaid Island (No Dad Records/Anxious and Angry, 2026)

Photo: Jeff Antons

About this podcast:
Scream Therapy explores the link between punk rock and mental health. My guests are members of the underground music scene who are living with mental health challenges, like myself.

Intro/background music clips:
Submission Hold - "Cranium Ache"
Render Useless - "The Second Flight of Icarus"

Contact host Jason Schreurs - screamtherapypodcast@gmail.com

SCREAM THERAPY MERCH STORE!
teepublic.com/user/scream-therapy

The SCREAM THERAPY book is now available! Scream Therapy: A Punk Journey through Mental Health is a memoir-plus that has been heralded by New York Times best-selling authors. Like the podcast, it links the community-minded punk rock scene with the mental wellness of the punks who belong to it.

ORDER A COPY OF THE BOOK!
screamtherapyhq.com/book

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7 contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK, or the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.