Vents MagaZine Music and Entertainment Magazine
Related Articles
NYC’s Bulgaria-born soul-pop artist, Ruth Koleva is a triple threat: musician, model & activist. The genre-defying powerhouse artist effortlessly blends soul, drum and bass, R&B and indie-pop. She has graced the covers of Bulgarian Harper’s Bazaar and ELLE, shared stages with Bobby McFerrin, Lianne La Havas, Redman, Method Man & Little Dragon and quickly found a fan in Mark Ronson.
Arriving alongside an Alex Leon remix, Ruth’s new “Candy Coated” single and spirited video are released today in celebration of Pride Month. Seven years ago she had a profound experience performing at the first Sofia Pride event in Bulgaria (she was the first artist to confirm!) and has put her efforts toward LGBTQ+ rights ever since.
“I will never forget that moment,” she shares. “Bulgaria is still highly criticized for not accepting gay marriages or unions. LGBTQ+ people are targets of social, institutional and work discrimination and even experience violence. I am so passionate about equality and LGBTQ+ rights. That’s why I partnered with director Joan Galo (they/them) and together we cast many actors from the LGBTQ+ community to express through music and art how important it is to love who you want to love and be who you want to be.”
The stunning “Candy Coated” video features actor/dancer Valentino Vladimirov (Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Paula Abdul, Kylie Minogue, RuPaul) and actor Marius Praniauskas (Shakira). It was produced by Taylor Graves (Dr Dre, Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Kamasi Washington) with DOP Alexander Stanishev (Katie Holmes, Spike Lee). “Candy Coated” is the first single from Ruth’s forthcoming album with more details coming soon.
Elements of Ruth’s struggles as well as causes she champions such as LGBTQ+ rights, domestic violence and mental illness are an integral part of her life as a musician. As she embarks on her new life in New York City amidst a global pandemic, she’s more focused these days on “what lies in the shadows, rather than on the spotlights”
