Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sandra Rust. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sandra, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

‘Wild And Free”, ‘ ‘Garden Of My Life’, ‘Beautiful Beautiful Butterfly’ & ‘Buzzing Silence Fill The Air’ documenting and bringing attention to the pollinators who are in need of less pesticides and more land mass to survive.

Creating music for my videos was a challenge….I couldn’t afford to pay for commercial music so I composed and wrote my own lyrics, and music (AI Assisted). Sandra Rust Music Unveils Soulful New Sound with Latest Release
Chicago, Illinois — September 17st 2025 — Independent songwriter Sandra Rust is set to captivate audiences with her newest musical project under Sandra Rust. Known for her heartfelt lyrics and rich, evocative melodies, Rust’s music blends genre: folk, indie, pop, or nature-inspired sound with a message of connection, resilience, and environmental harmony. Championing animal rights with AI assisted production.

Her latest release, “Garden Of My Life’ showcases a deep commitment not only to music but also to the natural world. With poetic storytelling and cinematic soundscapes, the track draws listeners into a journey that is both intimate and universal.
“Music has the power to heal, to inspire, and to remind us of what matters most,” says Rust. “With this release, I want to create something that uplifts people while encouraging awareness of the beauty that surrounds us.”
Sandra Rust Music has already earned recognition for radio play at Women of Substance Radio Podcast, Power Ace Radio, IGMP TV Network, Bad Wolf Records, and her songs have resonated with listeners who appreciate authenticity and artistry. This new release represents the next step in her evolution as both a musician and an advocate for meaningful art.
Release Details:
Artist: Sandra Rust
Notable Works
Albums:
• “Heaven’s Gate” (2025)
• “Wild and Free” (2025)
Singles:
• “In the Sunset” (2025)
• “Dance Until I Die” (2025)
• “Another Episode” (2025)

• Available On: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and all major streaming platforms
About Sandra Rust Music.
I signed a sync contract on 2 of my songs “Dance Until I Die”, & “In the Sunset” (2025) for tv and film.

Sandra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Songwriter…using AI assisted voice and music…”Garden of My Life” is a song that I wrote and produced; which is based on my personal journey of finding solace and healing within nature. My Mother would call me the “Will of the Wisp’ because I was like a butterfly going from flower to flower with all my interests in art, photography, tennis, etc.

Growing up with an abusive Father who turned to alcohol, after many brain surgeries, and so many prescription drugs. He had a serious life-threatening accident that caused him traumatic brain injury ……let’s just say it’s a Jekyll and Hyde story….it and a few accidents affected my life and my livelihood for years…. breaking my back with 2 major fractures from a sledding accident, and then a drunk driver who hit my car when I was stopped at a RR crossing and herniated 4 disks in my neck, and then another car accident that took out 2 disks in my lower back and 2 rotator cuff tears on my right side. In my 30’s, I was living my dream as a commercial photographer, running a successful business.

I had panic attacks most of my life….It was tough going out in public places, talking in front of others, thinking I would have a panic attack….I just kept praying them away, and one day, in my 30’s they started fading away ….I felt set free….before they went away…”aw man”…I wouldn’t enjoy it even though I went out, and I had to go to work like that.

I felt free from the world out in nature, I wish we would preserve more of the natural world instead of building huge homes, huge vehicles, plastics, toxic pollution, chemicals, I could go on and on, etc. Buy or build your own forest or prairie, and build a modest home, without destroying all the creatures and trees on the land. These creatures have a home too, on your property. Buy a smaller vehicle to help air pollution, and go the speed limit, it uses less fuel.

The songs reflect my experiences, emotions, and or insights gained from spending time in nature. So many years of missing the mark, and feeling like I was taking a trip down a rabbit’s hole. I tried to fit into the corporate world, but never really felt aligned with my talents.

Being an artist is tough; and the health issues brought on struggle and poverty, I started gardening, I planted a flower garden. I lived on the edge of an awesome forest, and since I couldn’t afford a health club…. the forest became my workout, hiking and taking photos and video….at that time it was the only place I could afford to go….:) and was there I felt God stopped me in my tracks. It was like I was frozen in time before……and now set free ….so I could understand and enjoy the journey. It was in the forest where I found my heart’s desire, healing, and my passion, and I felt my purpose. I could clearly see the connection of all living things to God, which motivated me to find the Lord and read the ‘Bible in a Year’ on an app. …… It’s never too late, God is great!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Remember, it’s the pipe dreamers that got us to the moon, and back:)

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

That my art and music opens their eyes, and opens a door…. to help others become more aware, and make an effort to preserve nature, to create less of a cement and chemical world….

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jolietcommercialphotographer.com/
• Instagram: sandra_rust_photo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandierust/ ; https://www.facebook.com/SandraRustMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jolietcommercialphotographer
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/sandra-rust-1
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0k04g3iDryyis8oFfzdEYG?si=8DrnOC9vQD-q89O0ElA3pw

Image Credits
© Sandra Rust Joliet Commercial Photographer