Wendy Rule | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Wendy Elizabeth Rule |
| Born | 31 October 1966 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Guitar |
| Website | wendyrule |
Wendy Elizabeth Rule (born 31 October 1966) is an Australian singer songwriter and teacher of Modern Pagan spirituality. She was born in Sydney but moved to Melbourne as a baby, and lived there until she moved to the USA in 2016. She now lives in the small historic city of Las Vegas, New Mexico. She has released an extensive catalogue of original albums, and still performs regularly in the USA, Australia and Europe.
Early life
Raised in Blackburn, Victoria (a suburb of Melbourne) in what was once an old farm house with a sprawling and overgrown backyard, Rule developed an early love of nature and wild places. Since early childhood Rule loved to sing, especially when alone in nature. In 1983, at the age of 15, Rule had her first experiences of performing to an audience when she performed the lead role in her High School musical. She loved the experience, and decided to dedicate herself to singing, taking a part time job in order to afford weekly classical signing lessons, which she continued until her early 20's. After high school, while studying a Bachelor of Education with a major in Literature at Rusden College, (now part of Deakin University), Wendy teamed up with some local jazz musicians to form 'Wendy and the Flyboys' - a four piece jazz outfit that performed standards at pubs and clubs in Melbourne. In her early 20's, she also fronted an all-women rock band 'The Mistress', and played the pub music circuit in Melbourne. But neither jazz nor rock were fulfilling for her. Having suffered severe depression since her late teens, and continuing to process childhood feelings of rejection, Rule felt lost and alone, unsure of her path. At the age of 25, just after her son Reuben was born, Rule discovered her Pagan spiritual path. She had always had an interest in fairies, mythology, tarot and the occult[1] but when she came across a white magic guidebook in a bookshop, she described it as being "like BANG! This is what I'm meant to be doing!"[2] She began prolifically writing songs about Magic, Witchcraft and mythology, which formed the songs for her first album, Zero (1996)
Career
Musical style
Rule combines elements of folk and cabaret, with gothic soundscapes and lush arrangements. Since her first album, Zero, was released in 1996, Rule has collaborated with UK cellist Rachel Samuel, who continues to feature on her albums. Percussionist Elissa Goodrich has also been a regular musical collaborator - especially on the Persephone double album (2019).
Rule both composes and performs vocals on her albums. Since her third album World Between Worlds (2000), she also performs acoustic and electric guitars on each of her major albums.
Live Performance
From 1995, Rule toured Australia regularly. In 2001, she embarked on her first international tour (USA, UK, Europe), with her then 8 year old son Reuben in tow. She continued to tour overseas every year, taking Reuben out of school for their annual adventure together. Reuben now continues the tradition of international touring as a member of the band RVG
Although now often touring as a solo acoustic artist (guitar and vocals), Rule forged her original-music career with a three piece band featuring Rachel Samuel on Cello, and Craig Patterson on keyboards. She continues to perform live with Rachel Samuel (now based in the UK), when their touring schedules allow.
Record Label
Although her first two albums were signed to a small Melbourne based label (Viridian Records), Rule separated from them in time for her third album (World Between Worlds, 2000) to be a fully independent release. She has continued to maintain an independent career, and manages her own touring and publicity.
Theology
She is a practising Witch and her lyrics typically address pagan and mythological themes. She has publicly spoken about her belief in polytheism,[3] and her lyrics have been used in Wiccan ritual. She happily discusses her Pagan faith openly,[2] and it continues to inform her music and teachings.
Discography
- Zero (1996) - Her first solo album, which took 9 months to record.[4]
- Live (1997) [Limited Release]
- Deity (1998) - Established her "lush Gothic sound."[5]
- A Journey to the Underworld. A musical play focussing on the Inanna mythology. Dibide into two sections, "Death" and "Life". Recorded at Melbourne's Universal Theatre and released on VHS video (1999).
- World Between Worlds (2000)
- The Lotus Eaters (2003)
- A Night of Jazz (2004)
- collaboration with Gary Stadler: Deep within a Faerie Forest (2005, Sequoia Records)
- The Wolf Sky (2006) - Produced in a style described as "wild, epic, dark and beautiful."[6]
- Meditations on the 4 Elements (2007)
- Beneath The Below Is A River (2008)
- Guided by Venus (2010)
- Live At The Castle On The Hill (2012)
- Black Snake (2014)
- Vox Solfeggio (with Timothy van Diest) (2017)
- Persephone (2019)
Compilations featuring tracks by Rule
- The Best of Pagan Song (2004, Serpentine Music Productions)
- with Gary Stadler: Celtic Lounge (2006, Sequoia Records)
- with Gary Stadler: Celtic Lounge II (2007, Sequoia Records)
- Tuatha Dea featuring Wendy Rule. Track: Aradia
References
- ↑ "Singer Rule's second nature bewitching". 19 September 2008. p. 61.
- 1 2 "Bewitched!". The Age. 5 December 1998. p. 260.
- ↑ Hexham, Irving; Rost, Stephen; Morehead, John; Morehead, John W. II (2004). Encountering New Religious Movements: A Holistic Evangelical Approach. Kregel Publications. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-82542893-7.
- ↑ "Interview with Wendy Rule". Melbourne: 3RRR-FM. 1997. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2009.
- ↑ McColman, Carl (2002). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism (Illustrated ed.). Alpha Books. p. 323. ISBN 978-0-02864266-6.
- ↑ Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon; Zell-Ravenheart, Morning-Glory (2006). Creating Circles & Ceremonies. Career Press. p. 280. ISBN 978-1-56414864-3.