Ruin: The ‘What’s Your Nature?’ Mix

5 Minute Read

Music

Written by Alasdair King

Ruin is a writer, activist and sex worker. She is passionately independent and is a founding member of the Sex Worker Action Group, Berlin Collective Action e.V and Radiant Love.

We were first introduced to her through the release of a new EP in which she collaborated with D.Tiffany and Vani-T on Isla Records. Her contribution to the record allowed for her to reach and interconnect with a new audience, showcasing her own creative perspective toward lyricism, sound and design.

She herself was keen to explore this part of her nature in more detail and emphasises the importance of her and other sex workers amplification and inclusion in the wider music community. The following mixtape she has submitted is conceptual in nature and reflects the following ethos:

“It’s not often that I am invited to participate in such a formate with a reach to the music community. I think it is incredibly important that we start to include sex workers in the conversation, not only because of stigma and raising awareness of their struggles but because of the incredible amount of exploitation of sex work aesthetic and vibe within the music industry ‘the hustle’. Some think it’s sick but existing in capitalism is harmful and violent and this is what I want to express. Do I like my work? no. I don’t enjoy existing in capitalism, but furthermore sex workers are not only judged for the way we choose to survive within it but criminalised. And legalisation without decriminalisation is nothing, because it only regulates a very small amount of the community that can register. Being a sex worker becomes your identity, something that I could have never prepared myself for.

I would like to use this mix, What’s your nature?, with two themes sewn throughout, almost as a collage. The themes I have chosen to speak about in my writing are pain/stigma & decriminalisation of sex work. The newly released record ‘Calling Me’ will be featured throughout the mix along with other collaborations, and some tones to accompany my writing.”

Listen and read the interview below:

Ruin – What’s your nature?

my pain gushing on the stones where the sky meets the trees.

Pillow Queen – Calling Me
Sex Worker Action Group Berlin – International Whores’ Day 2021
Système – Système
VASE – MOTHER Trilogy M3
Pillow Queen & Ruin – She’s Hot Magic
Kupalua – The Bloop
Ruin & D. Tiffany – Forsaken Me
Pillow Queen & Ruin – Tunnel Vision
Kupalua – The Creepy Creatures That Feast On Dead Whales
Ruin & D. Tiffany – Nightmare (§ 3 ProstSchG)
Ambien Baby – We love you 101

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

My name is Ruin, based in Berlin and I am sex worker, writer and vocalist.

I refer to myself as whore or sacred slut.

What does your music sound like?

Narrative. A stream of images wanting desperately to be given a place through resonance.

My writing is what I am ready to let go of, and what will never leave me.

Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

my pain gushing on the stones where the sky meets the trees.

Where was the mix recorded?

At my lovers’ home

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

When you’re feeling a bit moody

What should we be wearing?

Whatever makes you feel comfortable

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

The setting would be impulsive, preferably live with whatever we have available and access to in the moment of inspiration.

Ruin’s studio essentials include text and a mic

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Kupalua – The Creepy Creatures That Feast On Dead Whales

What’s your favourite position?

69 4eva

If you could write with any artist throughout history, who would it be?

Tatsumi Hijikata, because he created one of the most brilliant anarchic, natural, and inspiring practices and movements in dance and art that I know; ankoku butoh. Butoh is a body of work that was born from war, something I will never fully understand but feel deeply we should all pay close attention to.

With what line of sex work did you begin? What was the set up?

I started with stripping in Berlin. The set up was 6 inch heels 21h30 – 6 am a shift. Now I work at a massage salon. The set up is beyond what I could have dreamed of from a workplace.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

I will apply this to my sessions with clients, in which case setting the atmosphere and the space is essential for entering into a trance, that trance can be light, dark, soft, or rough for example. Setting the space is essential in order to arrive at the destination. Where do you wanna go?

What were the first and last records you bought?

Kings of Leon – Because of the Times

INDEXOXO [pay as you feel] (butt plug purchased with release)

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Sweet & sour. Sweet because you’re held. Sour because how many sex workers do you know? You probably know more than you’re aware of. Think about why…

If it was an animal what would it be?

Sirene; a courageous creature with lots to share

One thing about your work that is impossible to replace?

My sex work community…bless x

Upcoming in the world of…

sex workers in Germany…

“In 2023, the legal structure of sex work in Germany will be re-evaluated. Many voices are calling for the Nordic Model, and others on the right want to eliminate the scant protections and rights we currently have and illegalise us all. It is the perfect time to build collective power and advocate for sex work’s rightful place as a legitimate labor rights struggle, and not the moral issue it’s often reduced to. We don’t need anyone to tell us how to keep ourselves safe. All we ask is for the right to come out of the shadows and speak in our own voices…” – FAU AG-SW (Berlin sex workers union)