Chris De Banks: Music, Sobriety and Building Not Saints for Artists in Recovery

In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Matt speaks with Chris De Banks, founder of Not Saints - the UK’s only not-for-profit record label dedicated to supporting musicians in recovery. Through Chris’s lived experience, we explore the powerful intersection of music, addiction and sobriety, and the realities of navigating creative life without substances.Chris reflects on his early experiences in the drug-fuelled 90s music scene, how substance use became normalised, and the point where creativity and chaos began to collide. He shares his journey through addiction and recovery, the turning points that helped him rebuild, and how Not Saints emerged as a platform to amplify sober artists, challenge stigma, and provide genuine community in an industry often dominated by alcohol and drug culture.Together, Matt and Chris dismantle the myths that link creativity with substance use, discuss the glamorisation of addiction in pop culture, and highlight how storytelling, sober events and authentic expression can reshape what artistic identity looks like in recovery.This is an inspiring conversation about purpose, second chances, and building spaces where creativity thrives without cost to wellbeing.In this episode:The drug-fuelled 90s music scene and early addictionHow recovery reshaped Chris’s relationship with creativityFounding Not Saints and building a sober creative communityThe myth of “needing substances to create”Stigma, pop culture and the glamorisation of addictionSober events, storytelling and empowering artists in recoveryWhy purpose, routine and connection sustain long-term sobrietySearch terms: addiction recovery podcast UK, musicians in recovery, sober music community, lived experience stories, trauma and recovery, substance misuse, creativity and sobriety.Click here to text our host, Matt, directly!🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to leave a review — it helps others find us. 🔗 Then share this episode with someone you know who could benefit from it. Browse the full archive at 👉 www.believeinpeoplepodcast.com This podcast is a toolkit for recovery & resilience. Whether you’re in recovery or seeking to understand addiction, there’s something here for everyone. If you want to change your direction, grow as a person, and live life to its full potential, Change Grow Live is here to help you. We’re here for you if you need help with challenges including drugs or alcohol, trouble with housing, domestic abuse, or your mental and physical wellbeing. Change Grow Live services are free and confidential. Click the link below to refer yourself to your local service. https://www.changegrowlive.org/local-support/find-a-service 📩 Podcast Contact: [email protected]🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” by Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six) 🔗 Listen & Subscribe Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4Cr4wzZ6bxku1cRcoYKbGK Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/believe-in-people/id1617239923 ...

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