Photos – RuthBlake.com

Reposted from @caulbearers . Some new artwork for

Reposted from @caulbearers
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Some new artwork for Caulbearers by Stirzocular featuring lettering designs by Stephen Raw. New single (with lots of Ruthy vocals!) coming soon!!
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#manchestermusic #newmusic #band #funk #dystopian #soul #fusion #roots #urban #music #manchestermusicians #caulbearers #musicasmedicine #sacredgeometry #harmonics #original #overcomesacloud #artwork
#ruthblake #collaboration #stirzocular
@stirzocular

Aside to my own music in recent years I've loved j

Aside to my own music in recent years I've loved joining Damien Mahoney's Manchester-based band, Caulbearers. Here's a teaser for the first single they're releasing since I've added my voice, the first of an album's worth! It's called Over Comes a Cloud.
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“Archaic funk fables and soul migrations… bittersweet songs of the self, soul and society” and “roots music from the rainy city… psychedelic soul with poetic, social observation.”
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The teaser is joined by a really funky new website that we're all excited about so do check it out and find out more! I'll pop the link in my biog for a week or so, or just type in https://caulbearers.com/ ❇️
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #collaboration #caulbearers #manchester #music #band #collective #dissonant #funk #psychadelic #roots #musicasmedicine #overcomesacloud

Elia woke up very early and couldn't get back to s

Elia woke up very early and couldn't get back to sleep this morning... So at around 5.30am he ventured off for a walk. Circa 8.15am I'm woken up by a very proud and very sweet grin presenting the most incredible bouquet I've ever seen! It is so impressive that in my sleepy state it took me a while to believe that he'd made it himself! What a gorgeous start to the morning!
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#bouquet #wildflowers #homemade #doityourself #flowerarranging #summer #summerbouquet #wildflowerbouquet #bestboyfriendever

Grace 🐈 . Her happiness gives me great happines

Grace 🐈
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Her happiness gives me great happiness, her restfulness infuses me with restfulness ❤️
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#howtorelax #zenmasters
#cats #catsofinstagram #grace #tortoiseshell #tortoiseshellcat #sleeping #chillax

"You are a bum-wiggling, warrior-shaped, astute-as

"You are a bum-wiggling, warrior-shaped, astute-as-tits medicine channel who farts like a bin and is playful and silly and made of brains and heart."
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Apparently that's me! Both mushroomy heart of happiness and 'testimonial' by Jude Claybourne. Clearly too silly to share on social media 🍄❤️ #ruthblake #silliness #mushroom #heart #portrait

Do not assume the problem is only outside of you.

Do not assume the problem is only outside of you. Each one of us must seek out the threads of this disease we have inherited and root. it. out. #blacklivesmatter #equality #dontbeabystander #solidarity #endinstitutionalizedracism #justiceforgeorgefloyd

Lots of yummy artists playing at Wild World Online

Lots of yummy artists playing at Wild World Online Festival this weekend Fri 29th - sun 31st May. I'll be playing Friday 4.30-5.15pm so do tune in. It's free but you can make donations which contribute to tree planting projects as well as next year's festival 🌱🌳💚
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Facebook Event Link for more info and live streaming in my bio 🎶💖😎
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #livemusic #online #festival #independent #music #wildworld #what'son #may2020

Yes yes lots of important things to think about, b

Yes yes lots of important things to think about, but first... Have you ever wondered what I'd look like as a man?!!! .
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#ruthblakeasaman

Met a magical new friend to watch the sunset with

Met a magical new friend to watch the sunset with us yesterday at Cley Hill 😍 Reminds me so much of the dragon, Falkor, in Never Ending Story!!! Anyone remember that?!!! .
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#saluki #salukisofinstagram #lurcher #dog #dogsofinstagram #sunset #cleyhill #falkor #neverendingstory

Recording two new songs (Love Again and River of m

Recording two new songs (Love Again and River of my Tears), au naturale in the woods with my beloved Elia and my old friend and sound engineer @bencappsound. That's au naturale = acoustic in nature 🌳 not au naturale = naked 🙈
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2m away at all times, obvs. #lockdown
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Air raid siren interruption (totally normal of course) had the added bonus of encouraging me to get my phone out and say hello to you guys! I'm generally a bit pants at that - by the time a fun moment has been had, the moment for the camera always seems to have passed! I always marvel at people capturing good moments on camera. On the one hand, I generally prefer to just be in the moment. On the other hand, it's nice to let people know when I'm doing nice things. As you can see, I couldn't even wait to finish eating before making a start here. #Presentingskillz
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Don't miss the #crayfish getting his own back on Elia for being rudely removed from the water! Nb No crayfish were harmed in the making of this video 🦐
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Watch this space for new musicy things, coming soon ✨
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #newmusic #live #recording #inthewoods #loveagain #riverofmytears #lockdownstudio #lockdownrecording #original #music #frome #whattod#thingstodointhelockdown #airraid #siren #nofilter #lovenature #bytheriver

A conversation . PERSON 1: . The Book of Job I t

A conversation
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PERSON 1:
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The Book of Job I think says there is nothing new under the sun, and at the going down of the sun there will be weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. I forget the last bit, I think the sun will last a bit longer. One of the lessons you learn over a longer life is that human society has always had a dark and destructive side and that, however much one generation might achieve, the next is always capable of taking it apart. Knowing what people are capable of means some of us could work our butts off trying to save the planet whilst others sit back and wait to collect. We might agree the planet needs saving but achieving any kind of agreement on how it's likely to be is almost impossible, if not the rock we founder on eventually.
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PERSON 2:
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For me, what you are talking about here is cycles. Creation and destruction go hand in hand, like birth and death, day and night. One cannot exist without the other. The sun rises every morning, despite the fact that night will always follow. It does not give up in despair. To decide not to bother creating, living, repairing, growing etc because we know that things will ultimately come apart again, or somehow be destroyed, is basically despair. But the opposite of despair is hope, and it really just depends from which side you look at it. And it's not to say that one perspective is more true or valid, but simply to ask, which perspective is more healthy and constructive in this moment? Which brings more joy and peace to my heart? To trust that the sun will always rise, or to despair that we will always fall back into shadow?
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The most essential thing to remember when considering this is not that we must tolerate the bad in order to enjoy the good, but that what we see as 'bad' is somehow essential (though sometimes beyond our understanding) to feed or create the 'good' . The lotus is used as a symbol of this - a beautiful flower that grows out of the mud. Without night , day is meaningless and in fact would become a lifeless torment. We look at a forest as a sublime living ecosystem, but within the forest everything must die, all is continually... (cont in comments)

People of Instagram and beyond! Will you join me i

People of Instagram and beyond! Will you join me in making a music video to warm and inspire hearts at this unique time in history?!🎶📹🎶
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For all those looking for something to do that has the capacity to be fun, creative, meaningful, useful and connected to others (whilst appropriately far away)... This may be for you ❤️
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Some of you will know I'm currently recording a song called Brave Ships. It really sums up what I want to communicate to the world right now, and so I'm itching to release it as a single. I've been planning a video, an important aspect to carry the song into the realms of YouTube etc, and a tool to emphasize and support the message of the song. Like most of us, Queen Corona 👑 made dust of my original plans!! But all is not lost!! Out of the ashes, new blooms be blooming .. So how can I make a video without people gathering together? That's where you come in. .
The video will be a montage that shows firstly the myriad challenges, fears, and vulnerabilities of this time, and then to progress by showing images of generosity, community spirit and acts of kindness, creativity and ingenuity, both large and small, silly and serious, including playful and creative ways that people are turning this situation into something positive. I know you're all doing some cool stuff, whether it's spending more time with children, making instruments out of melons, remembering how to do that thing you love, or helping your neighbour with the shopping, I want to see it.
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So this is my request to all those willing. I need video clips to make this work. Firstly , ONLY FOOTAGE THAT'S YOURS, THAT YOU GIVE ME PERMISSION TO USE in a public video. If you send it, I assume permission is given. I will edit them together to create the final video.
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I'm looking for what people are dealing with right now and all the different responses you're coming up with - short clips that illustrate what you're feeling (lonely, fearful, anxious, angry, curious, creative, calm, excited, confused, silly, connected, disconnected, etc), or practical things that you're dealing with (faffing around with gloves and masks, trying to home school kids,
- continued in comments...

Join me on Monday lunchtime (9th March) at St Step

Join me on Monday lunchtime (9th March) at St Stephens Church on St Stephens Street in Bristol. I will be playing solo from 1.10-2pm, free entry x
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #live #music #gig #concert #singer #songwriter #bristol #whatsoninbristol #freeconcert #lunchtime #church #ststephenschurch #guitar #folk #folkmusic #acoustic #solo #indie #independentmusic

Look at this juicy lineup for my first festival of

Look at this juicy lineup for my first festival of the year, Glastonbury Calling 2020. I'll be playing at Hawthorns on Sat 29th Feb at 1.15pm. If you don't know the other artists, they really are worth checking out 🎶
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I love Avalon and I feel grateful to have lived there and to have felt the support and magic of that land. If you're not local, it's such a unique part of the UK. The home of our magical King Arthur legends; the townsfolk proudly partake in the pagan celebrations of old, breathing new life into them and into our own sense of connection with our ancestral inheritance and our connection to each other and the land. In return, the land still speaks. Perhaps that's why so much great music is born there!?And guess what? Lots of it is being showcased at Glastonbury Calling on 28th & 29th Feb 😉 .
It's not a camping affair so don't worry there's no need to freeze your delicate parts off... Come down for the day or stay in one of the lovely B&Bs, and come and listen to me sing songs songs at Hawthorns Hotel, 1.15-2pm on the 29th ❤️ Weekend and day tickets available from https://www.ethertickets.com/
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With @glastonburycalling
@imprintsuk @mattowensmusic
@licebristol
@patternpusher @nolovelost @alesundmusic @lazydazeband
@theliabilities @karlficarottasolo
@steve.henderson.754
@stonecoldfiction @brokenbonesmatildaband
@whitelionparade
@gotchemistry @fonzyandco
@house.of.commoners @lastonehomeofficial
@flyyetifly
@themodelfolk @eviecosgrove_music @mirrorgrinnstagram
@noviolet @chinabears
@duncanbatey
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #livemusic #newmusic #localmusic #glastonbury #whatsoninglastonbury #whatson #events #supportlocalmusic #supportindependentmusic #sacredsites #glastonburycalling2020 #glastonburycalling #festivals #hawthornshotel #gigs #concert

I'm feeling all buzzed up with excitement for the

Back in the studio with my bro Damien Mahoney for

Back in the studio with my bro Damien Mahoney for the next installment of Brave Ships. This time we've added a string section with Alan Keary who plays bass, cello, viola and violin!! Amazing guy!! He's literally just gotten back from the states where he was performing bass for an African cello concerto, and he worked his socks off to record some out of this world string parts for us. I literally had tears in my eyes with the sheer beauty of it.
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Recording this song is proving to be a bit of a rollercoaster 🎢 because i keep getting scared that I'm in danger of drifting from the spirit of the song, and I've been praying hard to be kept on track, to keep listening and honouring her needs... with these strings the depth, mystery and melancholy of the ocean is finally captured 🌊
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After Alan came Pete Barrett, full of stories from his days as a session musician, working with the likes of Terry Hall from The Specials, Martin Gannett, producer of joy division, and the poet John Cooper Clark. He came to add some harmonium but who knew he was a top class guitarist as well?! So we've ended up with some gorgeous touches of his warm electric guitar that lifts the final chorus of the song which is a joyous declaration of our strength when we remember who we truly are. Like a little gnome he deserted the recording booth to record his parts sat next to us on the floor 😊
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Working with all these guys is such an incredible honour and I'm so touched that people are still willing to offer their time for so much less than they're worth, because sometimes there simply isn't money but there is still beautiful art to be made. I thank everyone who is giving their time so generously to this project 🙏 and I truly believe it's worth it! .
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #braveships #recordingstudio
#recording #newsong #originalsong #originalmusic #music #singersongwriter #cello #electricguitar #collaboration #folk #acoustic

Yesterday I received the most precious Christmas g

Yesterday I received the most precious Christmas gift I could have dreamt of. First, this picture, sent from a dear friend, followed by this message :
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"I just had to share with you that I received a letter this morning from one of my oldest friends from my college days. I gave her your album as a present last year. She was writing to tell me how much that album had affected her and inspired her to make massive changes in herself and in her life.. So moving, it's taken her a year to write it. Thought you would appreciate hearing that your work is touching the lives of women who are needing these beautiful insights and empowerings. Love you xxx"
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To know that these songs can impact people's lives - people who I've never even met - in such a powerful way, brings tears to my eyes and meaning to my heart that I'm not sure I can ever find the words to express. It reaches into the very deepest parts of me and takes root, whispering into my soul, "keep going, keep doing what you do, it is enough, you are needed."
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To all those whom my music has touched, I thank you from the bottom of my heart - I thank you for letting me in and giving my life purpose. There is no greater gift, and you give it to me simply by receiving my offerings with your beautiful hearts. Songs are travelers, you know, and without you they have nowhere to go. 💫
I truly pray that each and every one of you feels this same touch of meaning and purpose in your own lives; that each of you finds those who are able to receive the offerings of your heart, so that you can know this same sense of... So many words could go here - gratitude, peace, fulfillment, even humility, but none quite cut the mustard. I shall land with something a little unexpected.... So that you can know this same sense of... devotion.

With all my love on this magical solstice night, may all your dreams come true 🌟🌒🌟
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #singersongwriter #musicasmedicine #musicheals #musictransforms #healingpowerofmusic #handwritten #letter #gratitude #purpose #purposedrivenlife #bestchristmasgift #happysolstice

Thank you to everyone who's followed me, streamed

Thank you to everyone who's followed me, streamed me, shared me and included my music in their Spotify playlists this year. It's incredible to know that people are listening all over the world! Thank you so much for all your support 💖🙏💖 I'm really excited to see what 2020 brings! 😻😻
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#ruthblake #ruthblakemusic #spotify #thankyou #2019 #wrapped

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