Wendy Rule

• Name — Wendy Rule • Birth Name — Wendy Elizabeth Rule • Born — 31 October 1966 • Birthplace — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Origin — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Genre — * Pagan Folk • goth • Occupation — Singer-songwriter, • Instrument — Vocals, Guitar • Website — wendyrule.com/

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, after which she dedicated herself to singing, taking weekly classical singing lessons, which she continued until her early 20s. 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, 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!" She began prolifically writing songs about Magic, Witchcraft and mythology, which formed the songs for her first album, Zero (1996).

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.

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.

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.

She is a practising Witch and her lyrics typically address pagan and mythological themes. She has publicly spoken about her belief in polytheism, and her lyrics have been used in Wiccan ritual. She happily discusses her Pagan faith openly, and it continues to inform her music and teachings.

• 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