Women in Music (St Kilda)


Wendy Rule

Wendy Rule 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. 

At the age of 25, just after her son Reuben was born, Wendy 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).

Wendy combines elements of folk and cabaret, with gothic soundscapes and lush arrangements. Since her first album, Zero, was released in 1996, she has collaborated with UK cellist Rachel Samuel, who continues to feature on her albums.

Wendy 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. Percussionist Elissa Goodrich has also been a regular musical collaborator - especially on the Persephone double album (2019).

"Where I did find support was with other female artists... I met my good friend Kerri Simpson. (Award winning Melbourne blues musician) in those early days when I was starting out, and she was endlessly supportive in so many ways. In the late 1990’s Kerri and I teamed up with Tasmanian singer-songwriter Monique Brumby for a series of shows that we called ‘Witches Christmas’ , which was hosted by The Continental Cafe in Prahran every week in December for a good few years. We’d raise money and collect food donations for various charities. For us, and for our fans, it became a beloved annual event. It was this sort of collaboration that encouraged us to keep going. We had each others’ backs. Now, when I come back to Australia, I see so many more amazing young women in the music industry."

Wendy has played gigs at St Kilda music venues including: The Esplanade Hotel, The National Theatre, The Prince Bandroom, The Greyhound Hotel.

"My first performances in St Kilda were actually a few years before I began writing my own songs. I was cutting my teeth as a performer, and met up with a group of local jazz musicians who used to perform every week at Silvio’s Pizza joint on Fitzroy st. It was there that I essentially tested my craft as a singer. Once the restaurant closed for the night, all the musicians would hang back and jam, joined by Silvio, the owner, and a great musician in his own right.

It would turn into a late-night jam party, with plenty of drinks and pizza! It was loads of fun, and felt vibrant and free - especially as it was my first taste of the St Kilda music scene. It was really formative for me, and I went on to form a jazz band (Wendy and the Flyboys) with a number of members from those regular St Kilda sessions."

Wendy Rule, Esplanade Hotel, 1997 - Source: Wendy Rule

"In the early 90’s, when I was living in Hawthorn, I would regularly visit St Kilda to see live bands at The Esplanade Hotel. Then, around 1994, my first husband, Bob Bloxham and I moved to an apartment in East St Kilda on Alma Road, when 2 our son Reuben was 2 years old. We stayed there for a few years and became immersed in the local music scene. I was playing gigs at The Espy, with my regular band - Rachel Samuel on cello, and Craig Patterson on keys. I remember doing a big show at the Espy on October 31st, 1997 - my 31st birthday - and Fiona Horne joined me on stage for a few songs. 

My husband also rented a fantastic artist studio space in an old building on the corner of St Kilda Rd and Alma Rd for a few years, so we spent lots of time in the area socializing with friends, and immersing ourselves in the local music and arts scene."

Zero image, 1996 - Souirce Wendy Rule

"I grew up in Blackburn, in the Eastern suburbs, and remember adventures as a young kid with my family to St Kilda Beach, the pier, and Luna Park, as being really special events. It would probably only happen once or twice a year, so St Kilda felt like a bit of a magical playground. I met one of my very dearest friends, the filmmaker Nicholas Verso, at the Esplanade Hotel. He was a high school student at the time. At one of my big ‘Halloween’ shows in the ballroom, Nick tried to sneak in underage. When the bouncer asked him for ID, he said that he’d forgotten it, but that I’d vouch for him. The bouncer came back stage and asked me about this guy Nick, who said he was a friend, and was 18. I replied “oh yeah, Nick, of course, send him to the band room” - having no idea who the bouncer was talking about. We became firm friends from that point on, and Nick went on to create lots of my film clips, and continues to use my music in his films and TV work."

Wendy Rule and Fiona Horne, Esplanade Hotel, 1997 - Source: Wendy Rule
Wendy Rule Wendy Rule Website
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