'I want to show mums that they can do it all'

Mum of three Krush said she wants to show other mums that they "can do it all"

As Bristol's BS3 festival draws near, one performer stands out not just for her talent, but for her remarkable strength and determination.

Krush, a 40-year-old singer/songwriter from Bristol, has been preparing for the festival while pregnant with her third child, which she gave birth to in late May - four weeks before the show.

She is billed among some of the biggest names in music, such as NE-YO, Craig David, and Dizzee Rascal.

"I was offered the gig when I was seven months pregnant," said Krush, describing the hard decision that she had to make when she accepted the gig.

"It's been a rollercoaster," said the mum of three. "There's been days when my emotions have been all over the place."

Krush isn't the only one juggling music and motherhood. Throughout the industry there are singers, musicians, DJs, and booking agents who are all trying to manage their busy work schedules whilst raising children.

Some women say the music industry has become more accepting of mothers; while others say there is still much work to be done.

Krush is preparing for her performance at the BS3 festival in June

Born in St Pauls, Bristol, Krush has always had an affinity for music.

Throughout her career she has collaborated with notable artists such as Mike Skinner and Example.

However, being a woman in the industry has not always been easy, she said.

"The reason my name is Krush is because I had to fight my way for the microphone amongst a group of guys most of the time," she explained.

"And once I got to the mic, I'd crush the set. But that is something that us women have to deal with all the time."

Krush has continued to persevere through the struggle of pursuing her music career whilst raising two sons, aged 17 and 13.

"Because of the mother that I am, I've probably got a lot more respect," she said.

"Everyone's always been supportive of me having children. It's slowed me down in terms of having to manoeuvre last minute shows. I've had to turn things down a lot of times. But in terms of being a mum in the industry, I haven't had much negative [experience]."

In December 2023, she warmed up for hip-hop artist GZA, most known for his role in Wu-Tang Clan, whilst pregnant with her third child.

When she was offered the BS3, gig Krush said she questioned whether she would be able to commit to the gig as she knew she would be heavily pregnant by that point. But she wanted to show other mothers that they can "do it all."

"I couldn't say no. God put it in front of me and it was my time to take on the challenge," she said.

Drum and bass lyricist and producer Ruth Royall has been vocal about her pregnancy on social media

Throughout the industry, other mothers feel they could be better supported.

In 2018, Mothers in Music was set up in Bristol, which supports mums juggling music and motherhood.

The initiative was started by Alice Ballantine Dykes, after the former musician had children, she realised that there was little support for women when they became mothers.

Wave of anxiety

Lauren Kaye, a booking agent for Earth Music Agency has been working in the industry for more than 13 years and works with artists such as Eva Lazarus.

She has two children - one three-year-old daughter and a six month old son.

She had her first child during the Covid-19 pandemic, which reduced work-related anxieties due to lockdowns.

However, her second pregnancy brought a wave of anxiety about managing work without the restrictions.

"I was stressing about how much maternity I would take and how somebody would cover me, because it's not that easy in the job," she said.

Fortunately, her agency, founded by women, was supportive. Lauren feels this might not have been the case in a different agency.

Ruth Royall has toured around the world whilst pregnant with her first child

Ruth Royall, a Bristol drum and bass vocalist and producer, is currently pregnant with her first child. She has toured worldwide while pregnant.

"When I first found out I was pregnant, it felt like the worst timing because I just signed with new management and we had planned this tour around Australia," she said. Despite initial fears, her management team was very supportive.

"It shows that the industry is in a really good place at the moment for supporting women," she said. However, touring while pregnant has been challenging.

"Taking my baby all around the world with me was pretty special, but it was also quite gruelling on my body, so I had to make sure I was looking after myself."

'I'm still mummy'

Ruth plans on taking a five-month break from music to look after her baby and hopes to tour with her children in the future. She launched The Keep It Real Podcast to discuss industry equality with other women.

Ruth wants other expecting women to know that there is "a lot more support and acceptance for artists becoming mothers. I think that's only going to get better as well".

"Since having kids I have smashed it harder than I ever have before," said Lauren, reflecting on her journey as a working mum.

"Day to day, I'm still mummy to my children. I'm not Krush. I just take it in my stride. I enjoy it; it's not so much like a job. It's shown me love, and the epitome of love is motherhood."