The Melbourne-born performer sang in jazz bands before she found Wicca, a pagan witchcraft, 25 years ago. Rule plays Babushka Bar this Saturday.

“It was excellent training. I surprise myself now when I think about it, I was so shy at my gigs as a jazz singer I wouldn’t talk at all,” Rule says.

“The piano player would have to say ‘this song is called Body and Soul’ and now a huge part of what I do is sharing my stories.”

Rule crowdfunded $26,000 for her last album, Black Snake, and is now refining a new release which she says is “more stripped back”. 

A self-described witch, Rule begins each show with a song which welcomes welcomes the four elements, creating a “sacred performance space”.

“I’ve been doing my thing for so long but always on the outskirts, but then to realise the extent of my fan base really hit home with Black Snake.”

“My next album is even more out there and there’s a greater sense of trust and so I’m taking more risk but it’s still coming from a point of, ‘wow, I feel completely supported so I’m going to go a layer deeper’.”

Wendy Rule will perform at Babushka Bar on Humffray Street on Saturday, May 27 supported by Matt Malone. Tickets at the door.