An affecting piece about acceptance, self confidence and serenity, You Don’t Have To Cry is the closing track to one of last year's finest albums, Emma Ruth Rundle's very much rightfully acclaimed, On Dark Horses. The song inspired by artist Blake Armstrong receives a sentimental accompanying visual directed by Mitch Wells of Thou, and starring Armstrong himself.
"I wrote this song for my dear friend, artist Blake Armstrong, out of love and in the hope it would console and encourage strength after he expressed to me his fears about living as an openly gay male in a country that’s led by an unabashedly hateful figure - and the effects said figure might have on the the country, its laws and its citizens," Emma comments. "I hope that the message of the song and video can comfort and empower those who feels marginalized or mistreated or unsafe. I’m happy we finally had a chance to realize our idea for this video. It means so much to us both."
Blake Armstrong offers his own views about the song and video for which he provided the inspiration: "The main feeling I’ve felt has been the level of uncertainty that has made its ugly head known as of recent. Fear is how I feel. Growing up in Texas, I was used to closing myself off or being aware of how I expressed myself for fear of violence. Leaving the south and moving to other parts of the country and even to Canada, I finally felt safe to share myself and personality because I was around like-minded individuals. It felt free. But as of late in this country, that fear has returned wearing a red hat that has made me want to quiet myself and the freedom of who I am. What’s worse is not only feeling this not just personally but also nationally. I feel hated. I think with You Don’t Have To Cry and this video, it’s a reassurance to be who you are now more than ever. That there are people who will embrace you but that regardless, nothing is more important than embracing yourself. You were always meant to be the person you are and that there isn’t any amount of hate or bigotry holding you back from living your truest life."
On an additional note, Emma Ruth Rundle will be the first ever female curator of Roadburn Festival which will occur next year. She will be also embarking on European tour soon, followed by an appearance at Levitation Festival in Austin, TX which will be her final full band show for this year.
Artist photo by Blake Armstrong
Video directed by Mitch Wells
Emma Ruth Rundle — European Tour Dates:
25/09 FRA Dunkerque 4 écluses ^*
26/09 UK Bristol Exchange **
27/09 UK Leeds Brudenell **
28/09 UK Nottingham Rock City Beta **
29/09 UK London The Dome **
01/10 FRA Paris Petit Bain
02/10 BE Bruxelles Botanique ++
03/10 NL Den Haag Paard ^^^
04/10 BE Brugge Biekorf ++
05/10 DE Bochum Trompete ++
07/10 DE Frankfurt Nachtleben ++
08/10 DE Münster Gleis 22 ++
09/10 DE Berlin Zukunft Am Ostkreuz ++
10/10 DE Augsburg Kantine Soho ++
12/10 PT Porto Amplifest (solo)
14/10 AT Wien Arena
15/10 CRO RIJEKA OKC Palach
16/10 SLO Lubijana Gala Hala
17/10 ITA Ravenna Bronson %^
18/10 ITA Verona Kroen
19/10 CH Zurich Bergmal Festival
20/10 DE Karlsruhe Stadtmitte ++
Emma Ruth Rundle — U.S. Tour Dates:
November 8 Austin, TX @ Levitation Festival
** W/ Jo Quail
^* W/ Brutus
++ W/ Fvnerals
%^ W/ Messa
^^^ W/ Gold
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