‘Waiting On A Breeze’ is the second album from Ruark, a band named for singer and guitarist, Ruark Inman, and also featuring his wife, Alexa Joyce, on bass and backing vocals, and Alexa’s brother, Joseph Bethany on drums, and also backing vocals.
Recorded in the band’s home studio, and using basic equipment, it’s nonetheless a fully professional release, with elements of folk, country, rock, hard rock, classic pop, and Latin. The blend is described by Ruark as “folk rock”, as they explain,
“We’re a hard rock, in a weird acoustic way, but we call it folk rock, cause of all the influences we bring into the music.”
‘Waiting On A Breeze’ could be seen as a Ruark project; he’s produced the album, played all the lead and rhythm parts (pedals and effects to make his Gibson LG1 acoustic guitar sound electric), and his distinctive, raw and drawly vocals are a major feature of the album; but he’s actively brought in the other members of the band and their input. Penultimate track, ‘By My Side’, is a breakup song, based on a poem originally written by Alexa. It sees Ruark make use of his lower register, as he sings of happier times, backed by Alexa.
Alexa’s input is further seen in ‘Full Of Strife’, which is punctuated by her smooth bass, alongside Joseph’s syncopated rhythms. The mid-tempo track is reminiscent of the likes of Woody Guthrie, and Bob Dylan, as it looks at the everyday things in working class life that annoy and prevent one from moving forward, because each day is filled with the stress of having to work endlessly, just to survive.
‘Love Is Destiny’ channels Johnny Cash and June Carter with its country backbeat, and celebration of the joys that are to be found in a long term loving relationship, while the title track, ‘Waiting On A Breeze’, brings the album to a close, with its description of finding happiness in life’s unexpected pleasures.
“It’s a song about looking forward to spring and the good times at the beginning of a relationship,” Ruark said. “It was inspired by a quote by Ikkyū, a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and poet.”
‘Waiting On A Breeze’, from Ruark, is set for release on April 19. You can find out more about Ruark and their music online on their official website, and Spotify.
