INTERVIEW: Toronto-based Mike Ruby
rj frometa
Friday, September 27, 2019
34704
Starting out originally as a musical jam written in Los Angeles at Chris Hartz’s (of Childish Gambino) recording studio, where Nicky Paul (of St. Lucia), Chris Hartz and Mike Ruby were flirting with genres and styles elegantly juxtaposing the upbeat vibe of commercial pop and an electronic dystopia of light and dark. This juxtaposition led to the inspiration behind Mike’s lyrics, which led to a deeper insight into the general state of today’s social scene where everything is out there on social media, but more often, it really feels like there’s no one listening. The lyric, “is anyone there, I’m having trouble holding in these feelings, does anyone care, I think I’m about hit my ceiling” sums up the general notion eloquently.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Mike Ruby exploded onto the music scene with his first single entitled “Close” where it ended up on the Top 40 Radio across Canada on the CHR and Billboard Charts. With multiple TV and Radio interview appearances, his debut single continues to be played on the radio today and has amassed nearly a million streams across all digital platforms. After a creative “speed dating” with songwriters all over the world and over a thousand songs in his notebook, Mike Ruby is finally ready to share the rest of his debut EP ‘You Wrote These Songs’ with the world, which finely walks the line of pop culture with an authentic musical twist and an honest voice that cuts through the noise.
Hi Mike, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
Whatsup! I’ve been great. Feeding off an amazing energy lately, don’t know where it came from but I’ll ride it as long as I can. Haha!
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Is Anyone There”?
I’m super pumped about it. I co-wrote/produced it with a friend I’ve known for a long time and a newer friend. Nicky Paul (from synth-pop band St. Lucia) and I go back. We used to nerd out and play jazz together in New York, and then Nicky started playing with St. Lucia and I used to play with them too. Chris Hartz (Childish Gambino’s Musical Director / Producer) and I met in LA through Nicky and we wrote a bunch of tunes together, including this one. It’s a fun lil’ guy and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
Living in NY. It made me think of the state of today’s social scene. Everything is out on social media, but sometimes it feels like no one’s listening. The lyric “Is anyone there, I’m having trouble holding in these feelings, does anyone care, I think I’m about to hit my ceiling” kinda sums it up.
Any plans to release a video for the single?
I’ve recently been talking to some videographers about it, and it’s definitely something I want to do. It wouldn’t come out for a couple months, but short answer – yes!
How was the recording and writing process?
The writing process was smooth, the production took a bit more time. Probably cuz there are so many little pieces that compose the whole for this song. Nicky played synths and that dope bass line on the drop, Chris produced all kinds of crazy awesome sounds, and I played guitar and saxes, and did some singing too. Lots of elements.
What role does Toronto play in your music?
Great question. I went to college in NY, lived there for years, and now work a lot in both Toronto and LA. I think being from Toronto gives me a sense of pride when I’m not in Canada. I think it also comes out most in some of the lyrics I write. Talking about cabins, lakes, and all those good Canadian summer things us Toronto folk do. A lot of the stories I talk about in the music come out of experiences I had in Toronto, too.
Having shared the mic with other great people in the past – what have you learned from these collaborative experiences?
It’s awesome to watch somebody own the stage. I think what I learned most is that you have to make every situation your own – whatever you can do to create that environment of comfort that lets you get into that authentic place, and then bring everyone along for the ride.
Do you tend to take a different approach when collaborating with someone else rather than working on your own?
Yes and no. Haha! I always bring what I offer to the table, but I try to be flexible with a new situation, and am willing to go where another artist needs to. Anything to bring the song to the next level.
Does the new single mean we can expect a new material – how’s that coming along?
100% and very soon! I’ll be releasing new music every 4-8 weeks for the next few months, so definitely stay tuned.
Any tentative release date or title in mind?
I can’t share the next few release dates or titles yet, haha! But the EP title is “You Wrote These Songs”
Any plans to hit the road?
For sure. I’d like to do a bigger scale US / Canada tour in the first couple months of 2020! For now, I have dates lined up here and there over the next couple of months that are keeping me busy.
What else is happening next in Mike Ruby’s world?
Beyond the EP and tour, maybe great white shark cage diving excursion? Haha, just kidding, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do! In reality though, I’ll be prepping for a full album, and writing a lot in LA over the fall and winter. 😊
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