The album deals with Roach losing his life partner Ruby Hunter in February 2010 , and his own health issues including having a stroke , being diagnosed with cancer and having half a lung removed . In the linear notes , Roach says the album is " built on pain . " Roach says " Pain can also bring about change in one 's life for the better , we can choose to ignore the Pain until it becomes unbearable or we can do something . I used to think that letting go of the pain was the only way of getting better but that may not be necessarily so . You see some events in my life I will never ever truly get over and the pain will always be there , but I can do something about it . " Upon release Roach added " The songs I think are uplifting , about getting on with life . Music has played a big part in getting better . It 's a little different from what people have been used to from me but the songs have been really well-received . " At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013 , the album was nominated for ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album
ARIA Music Awards of 2013
ARIA Music Awards of 2013
Into the Bloodstream