Silverchair rocker Daniel Johns reveals he’s stepping away from music

Silverchair rocker Daniel Johns has penned emotional essay about stepping away from music amid personal struggles during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 42-year-old musician, who last released music in 2017, returned to Instagram for the first time in over a year on Wednesday night to share his private battle.

‘Dear anyone, the world is in a very strange order at the moment. It’s very confronting and bemusing,’ he began the lengthy post.

‘I need to feel like a human being’: Silverchair rocker Daniel Johns, 42, has penned emotional essay about stepping away from music amid personal struggles during the Covid-19 pandemic

‘The reason I’ve not released music is not because of that. Sometimes I need to feel like a human being and feel what other human beings feel while believing that I am important or creative. I am not. I need to create. There is no need for people to see, hear or appreciate it,’ he continued. 

Johns, who previously struggled with anorexia and mental health issues, went on to reveal he’s been enjoying living out of the public eye in recent years. 

‘I have been learning that the longer I’m away from people’s opinions the stronger I become. Art is not a way to receive validation. I believe it’s a way to feel connected to whatever this is and not a way to make people feel something for you,’ he wrote. 

'The world is in a very strange order at the moment': The musician, who last released music in 2017, returned to Instagram for the first time in over a year on Wednesday to share his battle

‘The world is in a very strange order at the moment’: The musician, who last released music in 2017, returned to Instagram for the first time in over a year on Wednesday to share his battle 

'The longer I'm away from people's opinions the stronger I become': Johns, who previously struggled with anorexia, said he's been enjoying living out of the public eye in recent years

‘The longer I’m away from people’s opinions the stronger I become’: Johns, who previously struggled with anorexia, said he’s been enjoying living out of the public eye in recent years

The Straight Lines hit-maker admitted he’s ‘not sure what he’s doing’, but cryptically insisted that he is sure ‘how he wants to do it’. 

‘In a time where people need guidance I cannot help as I’m seeking it myself. This is not a cry for help / this is a way to say to anyone who’s listening or reading it’s OK to be confused, disillusioned, saddened. It’s also OK to be inspired, optimistic and brave,’ he wrote. 

His post ended on a more positive note, as Johns advised fans to remember love and friendship are ‘real’ and the ‘ability to be open-minded is vital’. 

Grand plan: The Straight Lines hit-maker admitted he's 'not sure what he's doing', but cryptically insisted that he is sure 'how he wants to do it'

Grand plan: The Straight Lines hit-maker admitted he’s ‘not sure what he’s doing’, but cryptically insisted that he is sure ‘how he wants to do it’

‘Just try to know that the world wants you to be good and true. This is a mantra I will try to tell myself as well. Sometimes it’s hard and sometimes it’s harder than we can’t even comprehend, sometimes it’s even easy,’ he wrote.    

‘Be calm and accept anarchy and rebellion/ intelligence and kindness. Run to the hills or the ocean if you need? Also we’re all going to die so try and have some fun.’  

Daniel was just 15 years old when Silverchair shot to fame, and several of the band’s songs were about the serious illnesses he contended with while growing up.

'Try and have some fun': His post ended on a more positive note, as Johns advised fans to remember love and friendship are 'real' and the 'ability to be open-minded is vital'

‘Try and have some fun’: His post ended on a more positive note, as Johns advised fans to remember love and friendship are ‘real’ and the ‘ability to be open-minded is vital’

The biography The Book of Daniel, by Jeff Apter, made shocking claims about Johns’ two-year eating disorder battle when he was a teenager. 

‘He started to test himself, seeing how little he could eat and still get by and his weight slipped to 50kg,’ the author said. 

Johns is quoted in the book as saying he didn’t realise ‘how bad his illness had gotten’, adding: ‘I was just eating so I wouldn’t collapse.’

Iconic: Daniel was just 15 years old when Silverchair shot to fame, and many of the band's songs detailed the serious illnesses he contended with while growing into a man. Pictured with Silverchair bandmates Ben Gilles (centre) and Chris Joannou (left)

Iconic: Daniel was just 15 years old when Silverchair shot to fame, and many of the band’s songs detailed the serious illnesses he contended with while growing into a man. Pictured with Silverchair bandmates Ben Gilles (centre) and Chris Joannou (left)

Eventually overcoming the disorder, Daniel faced another health crisis when he began suffering from arthritis in 2002.

Silverchair’s last album was released in 2007, and the band announced an ‘indefinite’ hiatus in May 2011. 

The band, known for their hits Tomorrow, Straight Lines and Anthem for the Year 2000, have sold over 10 million albums worldwide. 

In 2017, Johns started a new band called Boom Tish. The group has only released one song – a cover of The Easybeats hit ‘Hello, How Are You’.   

End of an era: Silverchair's last album was released in 2007, and the band announced an 'indefinite' hiatus in May 2011

End of an era: Silverchair’s last album was released in 2007, and the band announced an ‘indefinite’ hiatus in May 2011

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