about
astrid brook
Hello and welcome!
I'm a singer-songwriter based in West Sussex, UK. I've been gigging for 25 years and have played numerous solo concerts in the UK and abroad. Through my music, I also support a charity in Sri Lanka that raises money to fund projects to benefit children around the country: The Country Music Foundation of Sri Lanka.
I've independently released three albums: Wild River (2008); Full Circle (2011); and Liberation (2019).
What is Liberation?
Liberation is an album of Liberating Folk Music songs, composed to gently lift your spirit.
The album was recorded using a 432 hertz musical pitch tuning (as opposed to the global standard 440 hertz). The 432 hertz tuning is reported to have a harmonious and balancing effect on the listener if they are open to it.
The songs are inspired by Buddhist quotes, and the intention is for the music to support you if you're journeying from a place of suffering to the experience of wellbeing.
Liberation was produced by Jim Hawkins who I feel has added a lovely golden character to the recording. You can find out more info about Jim in the sleeve notes. It was released on my birthday in December 2019, and is available to stream from Spotify, Apple Music and many other digital platforms.
What is Liberating Folk Music?
As there has been a trend in artists creating their own subgenres of music - think 'Wizard Rock' and 'Shoegaze Pop' - I thought it would be fun to create my own.
With help from a friend, we came up with Liberating Folk Music to reflect the gentle uplifting feeling of my songs.
How did Liberation come about?
I've always loved music and started songwriting at the age of eight. I didn't know it at the time but losing myself in music was actually a coping mechanism because by that age I'd already had a number of adverse childhood experiences which I'd only come to recognise much later in life.
I also lost myself in books. Non-fiction was my thing, and I found quotes would jump out at me so I started writing them down and collecting them.
So it seemed like a natural progression when I eventually wrote my first song inspired by a quote. I'd started practising Nichiren Buddhism and when I came across a visual quote about the moon, I wrote The Moon Song. This is about persevering until you reach your goal, and the moon is the symbol of victory.
After writing this song, I committed to writing a full album of songs inspired by Buddhist quotes, through which I could share parts of my personal story, and also reflect on our wider shared experience. This became Liberation, and if you fancy reading the quotes and lyrics you can find them in the sleeve notes.
So, what is my personal story?
My story is about my own journey of inner liberation and my transition from a place of suffering to the experience of wellbeing.
Along the way and over many years, I had to face my fears and inner demons which were a result of experiencing childhood adversity; and overcome mental health challenges including PTSD, social anxiety and an insecure attachment style.
With a love of learning and fuelled by faith, I've studied psychology, biology, neuroscience, archetypes, metaphysics and Buddhism. I've also experienced many different healing modalities which together have helped me to regulate my emotions; rewire the neural pathways in my brain; calm my nervous system; and enjoy an experience of wellbeing.
I've learned how to establish the right relationship with myself, others and my environment. That is, a relationship that is born from love which is ethical and functional, and built on empathy, kindness, security and trust. This is the deep work we're called to do if we want to overcome any disempowering patterns of relating we may have inherited, so we can evolve to an empowering relationship dynamic with ourselves and others.
Through this work, I've also gained a deep understanding of people, relationship dynamics and culture, and I'm seen as a trusted advisor to others both personally and professionally.
Thanks for your time!
Music is such a blessing and has the power to uplift us in an instant. If my songs resonate with you then I hope they support you on your journey, and help gently lift your spirit.
If you have any questions or comments then feel free to message me through social media or the contact page.
I wish you wellbeing whoever you are reading this x