The heartbeat is the rhythm. Help make the music.

We are making a debut album! Can you help bring it to life? R.U.M. is a rhythmic underground movement. Who s behind this movement? Bassist and musical director Michael Bailey and behind him? Singer, songwriter and wife, Ama Lia (author) What’s our story? Despite our public careers onstage as gigging musicians, we are fairly private people. Until now. This past decade has seen us literally white-knuckling a wild and whacky turn of life events. So please allow us to share our story. Michael and I unintentionally orbited around each other for ten years before becoming close. Rewind to '95 working at Bar Salsa in the heart of London’s Soho. As a newbie in town with a quiet desire to sing, this place was pulsing with live music every night of the week. I was a kid in a sweet shop, in love with the music, the people and the vibes. So I stayed, hopeful to have my own musical journey. In walked Michael, the only non latin musician. He was talented, kind and remembered me. Over the years we stayed in touch. Calling from Europe whilst he was on tour. It wasn’t until a few years later when I attended music college that his curiosity piqued and we hung out with more in common. He felt like home. We wrote some songs and eventually played gigs. I entered his world and met his musical family. Our story grew from friends to fondness to love. Many years on whilst performing onstage together, Michael seemed tired on this particular night. The crowd urged for an encore and I obliged, oblivious to any concern. Reaching home, Michael’s discomfort continued until the ambulance called declared he was having a heart attack. At 45 years of age. Our world stopped. The next day with a stent fitted and a bag full of meds he was home. Things settled for a year and then came the decline. This gentle giant I grew to love and see in my future began to struggle. Hearing him short of breath broke my heart. He needed me. So I took charge and took care. This is a journey of commitment of the deepest kind. Digging in despite overwhelming uncertainty. Sacrifices made along the way and yet, music played on. Michael’s struggles had his heart working at less than 20%, which led to a life-saving operation in 2016 having an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) fitted, a titanium device mechanically keeping his heart beating. Following an intense four months recovering in Harefield Hospital, he was officially on the heart transplant list, this procedure being the bridging unit. An undeniablly traumatising experience. Life changing for Michael and relentlessly demanding for me as a new carer. Seven years on and we have fought for his life and our relationship yet here we are greeting each day with gratefulness and great hope. Buddhism entered my life and strengthened my faith for the both of us, providing us a lifeline to keep going, keep creating and keep bringing joy through the power of playing and performing. And so ten years on from that impactful day, we are finding the focus to release music, collaborations that steadily developed. Our desire is to share these works and feature the highest calibre of musicianship, of which we are incredibly fortunate to have as a close knit family of musicians. That have selflessly stuck by us through the years, generously given of their time and talents, believing in us and helping in both music and in life. Without them we wouldn’t be here pushing this rhythmic movement. Understandably managing Michaels’ condition is an ongoing affair that has meant a major decrease in work for the both of us. Despite this we are determined to bring this project to life as a debut album. We have so far been loaned the superb recording facilities of our friends at Friary Studios to lay down ten songs and these now need completing, mixing and mastering to be released, before the all important task of marketing to reach a wider audience. The outpouring of love and support from fans spurring us to push on with our careers, has inspired us to create this page, so we can collectively bring to life ten years effort. This is where you come in, to have a part in helping our dream of releasing an album to be proud of. A legacy of perseverance and the power of music which has been the driving force for Michael. Giving can be as little or large as you wish, with a percentage of proceeds dedicated to Harefield Hospital who have been superb in bringing Michael back to the bass land of living. Contributors shall receive a consented worthy credit on the album, deserved incentives of signed recordings, merchandise and priority access to future shows. As a band we have always embraced community by offering shows with free access, firmly believing that we need each other. A sweet symbiosis of music and audience. We have seen the positive impact this has made on people from all walks of life and so in this spirit, we are thrilled to make this a collective achievement. Use of funds Donated monies will go towards studio time, musicians, cd/vinyl pressing, merch production and promo. Should you wish to discover more about Rumband and see the incredible members in action please visit our website at: https://www.rumband.com You can also find us on these social media platforms: https://www.instagram.com/rum_band https://www.facebook.com/therumband https://www.youtube.com/@rumbandmusic Eternal thanks for taking the time to read our story, we appreciate all your support. Peace and love! Amalia