HEY! MUMMY!

The Returning (Selkie) 
Lyrics & Music: Ruth Hazleton

Selkies, or seal folk, are mythical & folkloric creatures who shapeshift between seal and human forms by shedding their seal skin, and are strongly associated with Irish and Scottish culture, particularly the Shetland and Orkney Islands. In some of the old stories, the Selkie may choose to retain their human form, remaining ashore to be with a human lover (and sometimes children), though they can be trapped if their skins are stolen or hidden from them. This song is about a Selkie betrayed, exploring themes of choice, agency, coercive control and the reclaiming of identity or ‘skin’.

Heronbones

The Returning (Selkie)

Producer and multi instrumentalist Dan West and vocalist Lynnelle Moran are Welcome Dear Friend, a folky duo from Melbourne, Australia. They would like to softly whisper their version of the 2006 Kelis R&B classic 'Trick Me' into your ears...

The Day the Mountains Played

Trick Me

Producer/Sound Production/Performance >> Welcome Dear Friend - Trick Me

Melbourne-based singer, banjo player, guitarist and songwriter Ruth Hazleton has remained a prominent figure in Australia’s folk music scene for 30 years.

An artist known for her appearances with several high-profile Australian acts (Kate Burke & Ruth Hazleton, Closet Klezmer & Dev’lish Mary), Ruth has toured nationally and internationally (UK, Ireland and America), released eleven studio albums and made guest appearances on many more. 

Artists Ruth has recorded and performed with over the years include: Andy Irvine (Ireland – Planxty, Mozaik), Bruce Molsky (USA – Mozaik), Nancy Kerr & The Sweet Visitor Band (UK – BBC Folk Singer of the Year 2015), Luke Plumb (Shooglenifty), Nancy Kerr & James Fagan (AUS/UK), Rens Van der Zalm (Netherlands – Mozaik), James Keelaghan (Canada), Martyn Wyndham-Read (UK) and Bill Jackson (Australia).

Ruth began her solo journey in 2019, releasing Daisywheel, produced by acclaimed musician and composer Luke Plumb (Shooglenifty). The album was nominated for ‘Best Folk Album 2020’ at the Music Victoria Awards and has been described as “…compelling and intimately fierce” (Living Tradition – UK).
In 2021, Ruth was awarded ‘Solo Artist of the Year’ at the Australian Folk Music Awards, and supported by Sounds Australia as a participant in export program Global Music Match. She also represented Australia as an International Spotlight Showcase Artist at Folk Unlocked (Folk Alliance International).

Ruth is celebrating 30 years in music with a new album release, Heronbones (due out 29 September 2025). A darkfolk offering, Heronbones explores traditional and contemporary song and folkloric themes using a combination of sampling, sound design, electronic beats, electric guitar, banjo, drums and strings.

The Returning (Selkie)

Ruth Hazleton

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