What is your name?
Ruby Randall
What is your genre of music?
Indie-folk-pop
Give us a little bio about you..
Former front-woman of the band beau, is a folk-pop singer songwriter based out of
Toronto. beau performed steadily from 2011 – 2015, showcasing at Canadian Music Week, NXNE, Pride
Toronto, Hillside Inside, Mudtown Music Festival, Summerfolk and Guelph’s Off the Floor Fest. You can
find beau’s music featured on the reputable Toronto video-blog, Southern Souls:
http://southernsouls.ca/beau/
Since the band’s split in 2016, Ruby has been working on her 2nd solo EP, which is set to release in
2019. ‘The City’ is the first track to be released off of Ruby’s new EP, and premiered on Live In Limbo:
http://www.liveinlimbo.com/2018/09/11/world-premiere/song-premiere-the-city-by-ruby-randall.html .
Ruby’s first EP ‘Until the Dust Settles,’ was released under independent music label, Other Songs Music,
in 2011. The EP received international attention. Der Impuls, a German based music blog, touts the EP
as having an “indescribable charm.” Plug in Baby named ‘Until the Dust Settles,’ number one EP of the
year, saying this about Ruby: “a very special, melancholic voice. The gentle songs she has crafted for her
debut EP are pure and beautiful.”
In 2014, Ruby applied to CIRAA’s (Canadian Independent Recording Artists Association) highly
competitive Mentorship Program, and was chosen by two-time JUNO Nominee, Hannah Georgas.
Hannah continues to mentor Ruby in her musical pursuits.
For Ruby, writing songs has always helped to get her out of her head and back into her body. Ruby’s
voice is honest. Her silky melodies, impactful songwriting and slow-moving grooves feel effortless. A
patient, captive audience awaits Ruby’s next release, and the chance to hear Ruby sing to them over and
over again.
What made you go in to music?
I have been surrounded by music my entire life. My parents have spent 30 years playing music with the same group of friends, and play every evening when we are up at my cottage in the summers. I mostly play music by ear, which can likely be attributed to listening to my parents and their friends play together for so long. My Dad helped to create Hillside Music Festival in Guelph, ON, which i’ve gone to for 28 years (i’m currently 29). I learned very early on that music was a strong point of connection for so many people. It was also a great source of community and joy, and was woven into the fabric of my life from the beginning. It wasn’t so much a choice to go into music, but a desire to make something beautiful that others can relate to, feel connected to, and maybe find some comfort in.
Are you a signed?
No
You released your new single “ The City” tell us more about it.
The City is about coming to terms with discontentment in a city that can sometimes feel impersonal. It’s also about living in a place that moves really quickly and how easy it is to keep yourself distracted. The lyric “maybe you’re afraid that when it slows, it’ll get heavy,” speaks to a fear of what will come up when we slow ourselves down. I’m just about to move out of Toronto, so the timing for the release of this track feels rather perfect — a bit of an ode to a city that has not always felt easy for me, but has most definitely been filled with a lot of love.
What was the writing process like?
Some songs come out in a day, or a week. The City wasn’t like that. I worked at it, and it took a bit to get it right.
What was the recording process like?
I recorded live off the floor with Gavin Gardiner of The Wooden Sky, in his home studio in Toronto. I got a group of musicians that I wanted to play with together and we went into the studio for the weekend to record a few tracks, The City being one of them. It was fun! We were super productive, and The City felt easy in the studio. Anna Horvath and I went in later to record vocals. We set up the room so we could look at eachother while we sang, which was really nice. There’s actually a part in the song where you can hear us smile at each other, while we’re singing.
Who did you work on the Single with?
Anna Horvath sang backup vocals on The City, Michael Powell played lead guitar, Wes Allen played Bass and Mike Boyd played Drums. Gavin Gardiner helped with sound engineering and production. Jamie Townsend helped out with post-production.
What message are you trying to get out?
I’ve always felt like life gets a bit yummier when I move a bit slower, pay closer attention, and listen, instead of always filling up the space. I’ve also noticed that things come up when I slow myself down, that I otherwise wouldn’t have been aware of. When these things are uncomfortable, it’s tempting to just want to keep going and distract yourself. The City is just my own reflections about life in a fast paced city, that maybe others can relate to.
Will we see any music video’s from you soon?
Unfortunately not. Hopefully in the future, though!
You have also teased a few other projects in the pipeline coming soon, tell us more about them.
I have a song coming out September 25th, called Loaded Man. It’s another live off the floor track. Anna and I sang on it together, and we actually recorded it all in one go.
I’m also currently in the studio working on an EP set to release in 2019
Your also set to release your second EP in 2019, what can we expect from it?
I’m really excited to share the songs i’m working on for my new EP. There are a lot of really great harmonies on the songs, thanks to Anna Horvath and Anna Wiebe. There’s a song called Strong Again on the EP that I wrote last month, so it’s really fresh and is currently my favourite of the bunch.
Do you have gigs coming up?
No If so where are you thinking of heading?
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
I’m currently doing vocals for some pals of mine who make electronic music, and will keep you posted!
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Yes! Always! Contact me @ musicbyrubyrandall@gmail.com
What else do you have planned this year?
I’m moving to Spain on Monday! And am working little while over there, so my plan is to set up a little studio in my apartment and make as much music as I can.
Do you play any instruments?
Yes, piano and guitar
Who are your influences?
I have so many favourites! Currently I can’t stop listening to La Force’s new album.
Which TV channel would you like one of your songs to be played on?
CBC
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I feel things, a lot. Haha.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Hopefully recording an album of new tracks!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I’m a Social Worker in Toronto, but as mentioned above, just recently quit my job to move to Spain. I’ll be teaching English in Spain, making music, learning to dance Flamenco and staring at the sea.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I honestly can’t answer this, haha! This is such a hard question. Songs I adore: Sharon Van Etten – Our Love. Anything by Land Of Talk and Big Thief, currently the song TBT by La Force is on repeat for me. I obviously have a thing for female singers. Female fronted projects feel powerful to me, especially because the music industry is often dominated by men.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Play with people who are better than you. This will not only make you yourself a better player, but will keep your ego in check and motivate you to keep working!
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
I think that the fear of not being good enough is a natural part of the creative process. Do your best to not let your fear be louder than your desire to share what you’ve made with others!
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
My hometown is Walkerton, ON. Although I loved growing up there as a kid (mostly because I loved my friends and didn’t know any different), I honestly don’t think Walkerton has any “must go to” spots, haha. Get a timbit from Tim Hortons, go for a walk by the Saugeen River, and you’ll get a sense of
Walkerton.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
The lyrics!! a capo, my band, my guitar, when I play
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram :
Facebook:
Twitter:
