Andrew Irving Releases New Single “If I’m Not Alright” to Support Mental Health Awareness
Singer/songwriter Andrew Irving announces the release of his new single “If I’m Not Alright”. Produced by Carl Jennings, this track serves as an introspective and emotionally raw exploration of internal dialogue during a personal mental health struggle. The song speaks to the heart of these topics and addresses a sensitive issue that Irving believes requires open conversation to remove the stigma surrounding it.
The single originated during a late night on the road where Irving found himself alone in a hotel room riddled with anxiety and loneliness. He wrestled with the concept of what that means for people struggling with their mental health and opened his journal to pen the words “if I’m not alright, is that okay?”. Irving grabbed a guitar and sang the melody without censoring his words or thoughts.
This release represents the most personal piece of work Irving has composed to date. It functions as an anthem for those dealing with mental issues and aims to normalize the feelings many people deal with on a daily basis. The lyrics reflect this vulnerability with lines including “So take me out of this place / ‘Cause I’m drowning” and “From the outside / No one sees the pain”.
Longtime collaborator Mike McCormick provides melodic lead guitar parts that enhance the singer-songwriter stylings of the track. McCormick brings over 25 years of experience and a high level of energy to the performance. Drummer Dave Ellsworth contributes precision and a dynamic feel to the rhythm section. Ellsworth recently reunited with the band for live performances following reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation for a spinal injury.
The lineup features new bassist Nick Lawrence who joined Irving as a full-time band member in May 2025. Lawrence brings experience from the Halifax music scene and roots in R&B and Soul to the group. This collective share a history of performing on stages with acts including The Watchmen, Our Lady Peace, and I Mother Earth.
Andrew Irving and his bandmates will perform shows across Ontario through the fall and winter of 2025/2026 to support the release. These performances focus on supporting mental health initiatives and promoting normalizing conversations surrounding mental health issues. Irving is a prolific performer who captures the hearts of crowds across Europe, the USA, and Canada.
Hi, Andrew! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
Hi! Good to meet you too! I’m Andrew Irving, a singer/songwriter from Burlington Ontario. I write songs about life. A lot of them are about issues that are tough to talk about like mental health and addiction.
“If I’m Not Alright” came from a late night alone on the road. What do you remember about the moment you first wrote that line, and why did it feel important to keep it uncensored?
I was going through a rough patch at that time, and that one night in particular I was overloaded with anxiety and feeling completely alone. I wrote down what I was feeling in my journal. I wasn’t trying to write a song, but what I wrote just stuck with me. “If I’m Not Alright” is my journal entry. If I had changed or “censored” any of it, it wouldn’t be genuine.
You wrote from a place many listeners connect with but rarely talk about. What helped you feel ready to turn a private journal entry into a public piece of music?
To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was ready, but I felt it was important to be honest. I know I’m not the only person to experience feeling like that, but we are all so afraid to let people see behind the masks we wear in public. I’ve never been one to write about things I haven’t experienced, so whether those things are hard to deal with or not, I feel that the truth is what matters most in the end.
You are performing shows that tie into mental health initiatives. What does it mean to you when audiences share how the message of the song resonates with them?
It means everything, honestly. I love performing, but connecting with people and starting conversations about things that are actually important (like mental health) – those are the things that matter most. Songs come and go, but we could all name songs that mean something significantly more to each of us, because they touch on something personal. It’s amazing when people say, “I’ve been struggling and this song made me feel like I wasn’t the only one.”
Now that “If I’m Not Alright” is out, what conversation do you hope the song starts for listeners, whether in their own lives or in the communities around them?
Far too many people suffer alone and in silence. I don’t want anyone to suffer alone and feel they can’t talk about their struggles. I want them to know it’s OK to not be all right in a world where everyone posts only the best 2% of their lives on social media. The other 98% is often actually a disaster, but no one ever talks about that. There are people that care enough to listen to you. It’s OK to admit you don’t have it all together and ask for help. And if you notice someone who might need that help, be the help you would want if you were the one struggling.