Ruach (pronounced roo-akh) is the Hebrew word in scripture for spirit, breath, or wind. The Breath of God—it can be understood in the sense of an invisible power or creative force. It is the animating force of breath that causes, motivates, inspires, encourages, impels, triggers, stirs, provokes, stimulates, influences, or activates. A creative act. We are inspired.
Story Behind the Ruach
I have spent most of my life in love with Hip Hop. It has shaped me and used me while I cultivated it over the years. The music and culture captivated me as a young kid and has never let go. Since the age of 12 I have been writing, recording, and performing this art form in some way or another. I have had the joys of writing hundreds of songs, sharing stages with and meeting rap superstars as well as other enthusiasts and aficionados, traveling to cool places, hearing my songs played on the radio, and playing shows for people from all different walks of life. I mean like anyone from thugged out biker dudes with neck tattoos to grandmas with walkers on their way to the nursing home.
Though I wouldn’t trade those joys for anything, there have been many heartbreaks on this journey as well. I’ve been in numerous groups that have sadly disbanded or fizzled out, I’ve had to shelf albums and material that I labored over for years, I’ve spent time anticipating certain shows for months only to end up playing for the club owner and the sound man, and I still have a box or two full of unsold CDs.
As the heartbreaks began to weigh on me, I eventually parked in a time when the investment into the music seemed pointless for a while. If no one was buying music anymore and if no one was coming out to shows anymore, then why continue pouring my heart into this? How long can one guy endure putting his kids to bed, to go risk his life at a dive bar on a weeknight and play a show for other rappers on the bill in hopes of maybe making $5? The doldrums had gotten a hold of me. This defeat would grip me and keep me stopped in my tracks whenever I considered diving back in. Then my brother and friend Carl wrote a book that gave me a fresh perspective.
Carl and I have been friends since he did design work for my old band back in ‘06ish. He is a total optimist and a genuinely passionate creative human. To be around him is to be made better. I cannot leave a conversation with him and not feel like I can take on the world. I remember once a guy who had just met Carl at an event we were at said to me of him, “I’m not sure who this guy is, but I’m pretty sure he’s my new best friend.” When you meet him; you love him. I’m pretty sure he has never had an enemy in his life. A book by a guy like this is always well worth the read. A book by this guy about batting the doldrums of life seemed as if it had been written specifically for me in that time of my musical journey.
Doldrums and the Divine: Breath Permission to Live an Inspired Life hit me where I needed it the most and lifted me back into the cradle of inspiration again. “This book is about the Divine Breath – the original source of creativity and the birthplace of inspiration. The moment you became a living soul, this very breath sparked your life into being, and continually sparks it today. It’s inside of you still waiting to be uncovered and unleashed.”
– Carl S. Johnson
As a thank you and nod to my friend I decided to write a song with the book’s theme in mind. I wanted to show him how his offering of art ignited the flame of passion, helped push me past the heartbreaks, and got me to set out toward the joy of creating again. That one song turned into about two songs per chapter. This album is “art inspires art” in motion. Every song is based on the interpreted themes and messages in the book and or from life experiences that reminded me of such. Carl has been pushing me, inspiring me, and cheering me on throughout the entire process of making this record. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do and that it inspires you to be inspired again.
James (elementzero)