Photos – RuthBlake.com

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Ruth - rocking it
Dave - confused
Mat - concentrating
Jennifer Forestfeather - overseeing
Damien - slightly anguished
Action man - camera shy but present
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A summary in pictures of my recording up in Manchester last week with the awesome producer and hoot-a-minute soul bro Damien Mahoney. We had a blast! Still quite a way to go but Brave Ships is in the making that's for sure, and I'm infinitely grateful to @matpicklesart for his brill percussion and Dave Tompkins for his bass, and to both of them for their generosity and overall loveliness and groove! 🎶
Also added some more vocals to the final track of the funktastical Caulbearers album which is still evolving. Working with Damien is one of my fave things in all the world. Big up @musicasmedicine_mcr tribe! ❤️
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #singersongwriter #musicasmedicine #indieartist #independentmusic #newsong #recording #havingahoot #twattingabout #inthestudo #braveships #homestudio #newsong #behindthescenes

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It felt really special to be back at The King Arthur in Glastonbury last night, for the first time since my album launch last autumn. I only lived in Glastonbury for about 3 years but there's something about it that feels like home. I guess it's where Creation was born in many ways, but more than that it feels like the place where I was nurtured by the town as a performer, I feel recognized and supported there, I've been invited to appear on their local radio station countless times and I genuinely feel loved! And with the break down and break up of such a key relationship plus the subsequent rise from the ashes, it feels like the place where I really grew up. The place where I stepped into my adulthood and womanhood in a way that I never had before. Ultimately now it feels like my safe place - my little familiar nest from which I am tentatively flying. I think that's why it feels like going home 🐣
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It was a joy to see faces new and old in the crowd and even though the Sunday Sessions take place in the bar area which is much noisier than the usual gig space, everyone was really engaged and we had a beautiful evening together. I feel thoroughly nourished. .
Thank you so much @thekingarthurglastonbury for having me back, and thank you to everyone who came! ❤️
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As a sidenote, I've also been getting the sense that next year needs to be the year where I perform in my actual home town, the place I grew up - Coventry. That's going to be a big step and takes quite a bit of courage, but I feel ready! .
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #thekingarthur #musician #singersongwriter #glastonbury #hometown #livemusicinsomerset #livemusic #feelslikehome

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When I am on my moon I am often extra tired, headachey, clumsy, impatient (occasionally irritable), my coordination is affected (and therefore things like driving) and I am generally not fit for much in the practical world except resting and eating. When I try to do normal things, it is not uncommon for me to hurt my body, scrape my car, lose my stuff etc etc. Although this can be very inconvenient, I do not see it as a problem (therefore no advice please!!). .
The pay off is often a highly creative or visionary time, deep insight, loads of ideas and heightened emotional and spiritual sensitivity. I go inwards. My energetic skin feels extra thin, I feel everything more acutely. My impatience and irritability are actually a reduction in my tolerance for situations that aren't serving me... They make it harder for me to ignore my needs and my boundaries. I feel overwhelming love for all that I cherish. I feel heightened grief for all that breaks my heart in the world. It's not uncommon for me to be ready to clear the air with people, or make necessary changes in my life. It feels like shedding old skin, clarifying and cleansing.
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I often need some quality alone time to ponder, pray, and write, and that can be interspersed with creative or emotionally clearing interactions. Anything that feels nourishing actually, which can equally be movies and lots of chocolate! .
Here is a picture of my poorly knee that I smashed into the car yesterday at work. I also cut my finger whilst cooking. This is because I'm at work trying to do normal things, and get paid for them! I love my job but I'm a bit of a liability at this time of the month!! I'm so lucky though that the guy I work for, the amazing @ashonweels, is uber supportive of my creative life and I often get plenty of time out to rest and recharge.
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Ultimately I love this time of the month, even though it can be dificult, and I love feeling the rhythms of life move through me 🌙🌗🌕
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#ruthblake #rhythmoflife #rhythmsoflife #moontime #redtent #poorlyknee #ouch #iamaliability

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With recordings and gigs booked in the coming weeks, this is not good! I already had to cancel my Gfm radio appearance on Thursday 🙁
I actually lost my voice before a huge chunk of booked recording days for Creation, and I had to cancel everything for months, I was gutted... However during that time my guitar playing improved and many of the songs evolved so it was actually a great blessing in disguise, as these things so often are...
Still I can't help hoping that I get my voice back in time for my Glastonbury gig and recording my new single, both scheduled for the beginning of Nov... Wish me luck 🍀
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#lostmyvoice #setback #notideal

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Following one's path is not a straightforward affair. Paths are so very windy, and sometimes you can't see any path at all for one reason or another. The thing to remember is that periods of not knowing are as important for the psyche as sleeping is for the body. These are times to pause and rest and, if you can, trust that your path is unfolding in its own way, even as you feel lost, or stuck, or stationary. Like a little rest in the forest. When the sun rises again, everything will appear refreshed and renewed, having been bathed in the restorative balm of darkness.
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #heartsense #howtofollowyourheart #whentheheartspeaks #whentheheartissilent #notknowing #wisdomofthedark #wordsofwisdom #wordsofencouragement #motivationalquotes #followyourheart #followyourownpath #darkness #danceofthedark #cyclesoflife #inspiration #cyclesofinspiration #trustthejourney #trust #surrender #transitions #navigatinglife #silencespeaks

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Bristolites and Somerset folk, join me at Rockaway Park in Temple Cloud (just south of Bristol), as part of Somerset Arts week, this Sunday 22nd September. Some of you may remember that I had originally planned to have my album launch at this vibrant creative hub and permaculture community set in a reimagined disused quarry. That's because it's a really cool place. I was a late addition to the programme so I'm not on the poster, but I promise you I AM playing, and it's going to be lots of fun 😉 Tickets are £10 for the whole weekend and there's a great vegan cafe serving yummy food all day both days 😋 Join me 5-6pm Sunday 22nd September.
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #rockawaypark #somersetartsweek #somersetartsweeks2019 #livemusic #livemusicinsomerset #liveevents #originalmusic #consciousmusic #singersongwriter #poster #whatsonbristol #somersetarts #arts #originalart

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Brave Ships is a song for us all, to give us heart when the storms keep raging, to remind us that who we are is enough and is very much needed. . "If the ocean was calm every day you would never find the courage of the man who is drowning
And if your never burnt down to the ground you could never rise up from the ashes you were down
If you wanna know more push off from the shore without the promise of a happy ending
And if you wanna know love, bow down to the shadow of the truth that you've been defending... "
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I will be playing it live this evening (wed 4th September) on Glastonbury fm, with the wonderful Steve Lee, between 5.30-6pm. Tune in online www.glastonburyfm.co.uk.
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #newsong #newmusic #originalmusic #singersongwriter #braveships #weweremadeforthesetimes #ontheradio #liveontheradio #consciousmusic #music #musicfortherebellion #extinctionrebellion #takeheart #lyrics #inspiringsonglyrics #inspiringlyrics #glastonbury #glastonburyfm #stevelee #thenewsteveleeshow

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It's easy to feel powerless in the face of catastrophic events such as the fires in the Amazon. Our pain, our grief and our anger are important and we must give them space, listen and share with each other. They sing of our love and tell us that what we are doing as a species is not in alignment with our hearts. We are hurting ourselves. We need to listen, and then act. However, we don't want to get stuck in those emotions and drain ourselves of precious life force. As times get more and more difficult, wisdom from the Hopi elders continuously resounds in my ears - keep your head above the water, keep your eyes open, and celebrate those who are there with you. If you feel yourself being dragged under, let go of the weight! We must focus on the things we CAN do, we must focus on our strengths and our passions and apply them in ways that make our hearts sing... And we must trust that this is enough! .
This is not a time for despair, it is a time to discover who you really are. How many times have you heard of the terminally ill or those who came back from the brink of death tell of how that experience was the most powerful wake up call of their lives, and whether they survived or not, it gave them the impetus to discover what was really important to them and to embrace life in a way they never had before? Well here we are people. Whether we make it or not, now is the time for us to strip away the bullshit and anything weighing us down and embrace the simple, fragile and unimaginably beautiful truth of who we are. We marvel at the individual strength of ants, and yet one ant alone achieves very little. Do not question your power, do not try to inflate it or puff yourself up, and do not try to carry more than you can. Simply be what you are, one step at a time, with all the love in your heart... and know that it is enough 👣

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'Brave Ships'
A new song has made its way through and is screaming to be heard. It was inspired by, amongst other things, some divinely powerful words from my hero @clarissapinkolaestes. Just as Clarissa uses story as medicine, I feel my role is to use songs, woven intricately with story, as medicine. Even though I've never met Clarissa, I feel connected to the cantadora lineage somehow, perhaps it's the bardic lineage of these lands. These are the medicines that have healed me beyond all things, and those which flow through me like great rivers that know their destination, even if I don't. .
It feels such an utterly important message for these times that I have paused all other musical commitments to organise recording it, with the hope I can release it by the end of the year. .
The song is called Brave Ships, and a portion of the lyrics are thus :
.. "If the ocean was calm every day
We would never find the courage of the man who is drowning
If we never burnt down to the ground
We could never rise up from the ashes we were down in
If you wanna know more, push off from the shore
Without the promise of a happy ending
And if you wanna know love bow down to the shadow of the truth that you've been defending
If you wanna know love bow down to the shadow of the truth that you've been defending
If you wanna know love...
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Just do what you do
Just be what you are
Imperfectly you
This is the world you were meant for
Just do what you do
Just be what you are
Imperfectly you
This is the world you were meant for
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Hold on, waves are coming in
Stand firm, waves will come, another one and another one
Hold strong, mighty souls were born for storms like these
For storms like these... So remember your soul"
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #newsong #originalmusic #songlyrics #braveships #musician #singersongwriter #rememberyoursoul #rememberwhoyouare #consciousmusic #clarissapinkolaestes #clarissapinkolaestés #originalsonglyrics #musicmedicine #musicasmedicine

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If you're at Into The Wild this weekend come and join me tonight, first on the cafe stage at 7pm, then by the fire in the woods at 9.45pm xx
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#Ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #festival #livemusic #intothewild #summer #festivalseason #singersongwriter #whatson #originalmusic

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Catch me in the Chai Lounge @ Spiritfest tomorrow 7-8pm and Sunday 10-11am ☕😎❤️
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #spiritfest #spiritfest2019 #spiritfestsummergathering2019 #festival #spiritualityfestival #originalmusic #lovemusic #consciousmusic #livemusic #festivalseason #ruthblakelive #spirituality

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An exquisite and much needed day of rest at the beach yesterday (after being kept up by naughty cats getting up to mischief in the night) with my beloved, Elia. He is such a water baby, just being close to the ocean lifts his spirits profoundly, and the sweetness of it breaks my heart. Feeling thoroughly loved up and ready for #spiritfest where I'll be playing in the Chai Lounge Saturday 7-8pm and Sunday 10-11am ☕😎❤️ Haven't decided what to play yet... Requests still welcome! .
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #dayout #dayofrest #oceanmedicine #lovenature #durdledoor #dorset #dorsetcoast #happiness #britishsummertime #summervibes #britishcoast

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Next stop @spirit_fest_uk at the beautiful grounds of the Clophill Centre in Bedfordshire. .
An invitation to explore the Joy of Life, Gratitude for Mother Earth & Connection to Spirit, filled with Sacred Music, Dance & Art with Workshops, Yoga, Healing & Nature Connection. There is healthy food, drinks, smoothies and juices, opportunities to dive into stimulating Workshops, bliss out to Bhajans or simply chill with kindred spirits in an accepting and loving space free from drugs and alcohol.
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. ' Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground' Rumi
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Lots of amazing artists and speakers including @susieromusic @olivia.fern.music @barneyizzimusic
@marvradio @firehorse.uk @mobiusloopmusic @murraykylemusic @adrian_freedman_music @ravi.7029 - tag yourself in the comments if you're bringing offerings and I haven't mentioned you!!!
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #livemusic #music #musician #singersongwriter #festival #spiritfest #spiritfest2019 #spiritfestsummergathering2019 #consciousmusic #musicfromtheheart #healingwithmusic #healingmusic #originalmusic #lovemusic #awarenessthroughmusic #spirituality #spiritualityfestival

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I'm thoroughly delighted that, whilst randomly rummaging through ancient paperwork to have a little tidy, I stumbled upon the precious chords to an old song, Kings and Queens, that I had basically totally forgotten how to play and had had to grieve its loss. Now it has reappeared like a long lost friend! So I'm doing a little happy dance and thinking I might play it on Friday at All About Love in Bath (4pm - be there or be square) ❤️ .
It's such a sweet little song, definitely a lullaby. Wish I could sing it to you! .
Open your eyes my love
Open your mind
Open you eyes and see
Open your heart my love
Wide as the skies above
So free
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Opening eyes in love
Opening minds
Opening eyes that see
Opening hearts in love
Dreaming of dreams in love
So free
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Once upon a time there was a time that is now
Kings and queens and things unseen
Play out the stories of duality
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #music #musician #originalmusic #originalsong #kingsandqueens #chords #originallyrics #lyrics #nonduality #lullaby #allaboutlove #lostandfound #doingahappydance

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Had a delicious time at Mystic Heart Festival last weekend, at the inspiring Osho Leela community in Dorset. Thank you @firehorse.uk for the pic! Loved hanging out with you so much and was so inspired by your talk on Feng Shui in the home 😘
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #osholeela #mysticheart #mysticheartfestival #festival #sacredmusic #spirituality #spiritualityfestival #liveperformance #livemusic #originalmusic #singersongwriter #healingwithmusic #musicfromtheheart #consciousmusic

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Red White & Black
Live at the King Arthur, October 2019 (it took me a while to get round to this!! 😂 But I'm really happy to finally share some footage from the launch with you all 😘)
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This song feels especially fitting in the current spirit of extinction rebellion, because really, 'what are we waiting for..?'🔥
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Full video link in bio ❤️ https://youtu.be/JIiDCBVqkA0
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'Show me your courage
Show me you’re made of more than sugar cane
And summer rain
Show me the storms that rage in the night of your soul
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Show me your pain
Show how she cuts you again, and again
Show me your fire
That you’re not afraid to erase, to annihiliate
Raze it and start again
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Show me the red, white, black of your name
Don’t hold it back coz you’re wild, you can roar
Don’t try to act all small, coz you’re not and that’s a trap
You can soar to the sun
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We are a, we are a wheel
We are a wheel turning
We are the innocent ones eternally learning
We are the, we are the earth, we are the sky calling
We are the sun and the moon
We are the stars falling
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We are the God that we’re seeking
So listen up coz we’re speaking
We’re saying, “Come on, let’s answer some of these prayers we’ve been praying…”
What are we waiting for?
What are we waiting for?
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I know you’re sorry
I feel you’re sorry for all the pain you’ve caused
But know that you’re all that ever was
And whatever was lost is found and will come around
In the night of your soul
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #originalmusic #originalsong #redwhiteandblack #Creation #livemusic #albumlaunch #albumtour #courage #singersongwriter #acoustic #acousticmusic #extinctionrebellion #spiritofrebellion #whatarewewaitingfor?

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I was gutted to miss the incredible XR action in London at the weekend, but at the same time delighted to spend the time instead up in Manchester with my beloved soul brother Damien Mahoney, recording vocals for the Caulbearers ' coming album. Not only is Damien a talented singer songwriter guitarist, but a really phemonenal producer! As a result this album is a masterpiece of production, with a rich tapestry of instruments and a very compelling meeting of dark and dissonant meets funky and uplifting. It's lyrically profound, and perfectly timed for this time in history, so we were definitely doing our bit for the rebellion, even if not on the front line. .
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We've had loads of fun creating complex vocal textures and I feel thoroughly nourished and reenergised from the experience! 😀 Looking forward to our next gig together at All About Love festival in June.
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Here we are taking a much needed break from the stifling attic studio ☀️ Massive thanks to the yumminess that is @joburrows12 for this sweet pic and for making that day even more sunshiney with her simple presence 😘 .
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #caulbearers #caulbearersmusic #newmusic #collaborations #newalbum #newalbumonitsway #takingabreak #supportingtherebellion #extinctionrebellion #artfortherebellion #musicasmedicine #musicfortherebellion #easterweekend2019 #adayinthelifeofamusician

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Empowered Women: Songs of Love and Courage with Ruth Blake and Magdalena Atkinson 7.30pm The Assembly Rooms, Glastonbury £10.
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We decided, as two women, to celebrate International Women's Day this year through our music 🎶 This is not about excluding men! Men are welcome and wanted! This is simply about gathering together to acknowledge and celebrate the strength, skill, courage and genius of women throughout human history, which unfortunately has been concealed, ignored, hidden and even stolen in our patriarchal society for too long. It is a time to acknowledge the courage of the many women who have stood up against society and challenged unjust social norms (and continue to do so) ...in this case it just happens to be women but we could be referring to non-whites, to Palestinians, to non - aryans, to people with disabilities, to LGBTs, the list is probably endless... .
It does not mean men are not brilliant. It does not not mean we are blaming men for all of it. It just means women are EQUALLY brilliant (sometimes in highly different ways) and haven't had nearly enough recognition for that.
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Part of this journey into the patriarchal darkness has been losing sight of the value, power and importance of the yin qualities - softness, receptivity, vulnerability, compassion, intuition, nurture, connection to nature, wildness, emotion... Culturally these qualities are still seen and felt as less valid, less powerful, and less worthy of respect, and we all experience internal patriarchal suppression at different times - for example every time we judge ourselves (or each other) for expressing our true emotions, or for being too soft, or when we ignore our intuition because our rational mind can't make sense of it. So what I'm trying to say is that men and women alike are suffering from the external suppression of women as well as the internal suppression of the feminine within. It is relevant to us all, and a return to balance is something for us all to celebrate! 🎶💃🏻🕺🏻🎉
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So I am overjoyed to be marking and honoring this day with such a beautiful sister beside me, and I very much hope there will be plenty of beautiful men there to share it with us 😘❤️🙏

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