Music has the power to transcend boundaries, touch hearts, and evoke emotions buried deep within the soul. In this exclusive interview, we have the privilege of delving into the captivating world of the multi-talented singer-songwriter, Ruby Dice. Known for her soulful melodies, genre-blending sound, and heartfelt storytelling, Ruby has emerged as a rising star in the music industry, leaving audiences mesmerized with every note she plays.
Ruby’s music stands out for its seamless fusion of soul, blues, and pop, creating a genre-blending sound that defies conventional boundaries. In this interview, we explore how Ruby’s artistic style developed organically over time. Drawing from her experiences playing bass in various bands and genres in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas, Ruby showcases her innate ability to incorporate different musical elements effortlessly into her compositions.
As a Colorado native now residing in Texas, Ruby reflects on the impact of her environment and musical background on her artistic journey. Growing up surrounded by rock and bluegrass in Gunnison, Colorado, provided the initial inspiration for her musical exploration. However, it was the vibrant music scene of Austin that became the catalyst for her artistic evolution. Collaborating with multiple songwriters from the city over nearly a decade, Ruby embraced a diverse range of sounds that ultimately influenced her unique musical identity.
Throughout her career, Ruby has had the incredible opportunity to share stages with esteemed musicians such as Brian Wilson and Dale Watson. In this interview, she shares memorable experiences and invaluable lessons learned from performing alongside these legends. With a humble and positive attitude, Ruby offers advice on navigating the challenges of live performances, reminding us that perseverance and passion are essential in the pursuit of our dreams.
In this exclusive interview, we have had the privilege of getting to know the remarkable Ruby Dice—the soulful artist who blends genres, weaves heartfelt narratives, and leaves a lasting impact with her extraordinary music. Her journey of love, resilience, and creative passion is a testament to the transformative power of music, touching hearts and souls worldwide.
Congratulations on the release of your new single, “Let’s Get Married.” Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the song and what led you to write it?
I wrote this song after a conversation with my partner at the time about running away to Vegas to get married.
“Let’s Get Married” is described as a bittersweet song about recklessly loving someone. Can you share with us the story behind the track and how it reflects your personal experiences?
It’s about my guitar player who It I still love and respect very much. We were talking about getting married at the time I wrote this. Our relationship went through some ups and downs as we moved back into a friendship. Life throws some curve balls sometimes.
Your music combines elements of soul, blues, and pop, creating a unique genre-blending sound. How did you develop this style, and how do you approach incorporating different genres into your music?
I guess I don’t really think about it when I’m combining genres. It’s just the mix that comes out of me after playing bass in so many different bands and genres in Austin, TX
As a Colorado native currently residing in Texas, how has your environment and musical background influenced your songwriting and artistic journey?
Gunnison, Co Is full of rock and bluegrass. I played with a lot of bands in that area growing up. But I’d say Austin has been the biggest influence on my sound. For the better part of a decade, I played and toured around with multiple songwriters from Austin. I feel that my music is a mix of all of their sounds in a small way
You’ve had the opportunity to share stages with artists like Brian Wilson and Dale Watson. What have been some of the most memorable experiences or lessons you’ve learned from performing alongside such renowned musicians?
I think my biggest takeaways have been… Show up ready and with a good attitude. And if you mess up just keep going, 9 times out of 10 nobody will hear the mistake anyways.
Your debut album, “Not In Love,” is set to release on September 29, 2023 Can you give us a glimpse into the themes and emotions explored in the album, particularly regarding your relationship with your former fiancé and guitarist, Calloway Ritch?
We didn’t intend to make a breakup album. But the songs didn’t lie. We wrote some of the earlier songs together on this one. As I wrote in the other room I was really trying to understand self-love within a relationship. I hope this album doesn’t come off as just a breakup album to people because there was so much love between us. But I think we just landed on being friends in the end because that was the best way to love each other and ourselves. Life is complicated I guess. The last song on the album, “We’ll be ok” really puts that into the perspective of loving someone enough to let them go and wish them
nothing but happiness in the years to come.
How did the global COVID-19 pandemic impact your musical career and the creative process for your upcoming album? Did it influence the lyrical content or overall tone of the songs?
The pandemic felt like a career-ender at first. I went from playing 7-12 shows a week with different bands to 0. With zero income coming in since I had mostly been a bass player for other artists before the pandemic. It really was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I narrowed down on learning what it was to be a writer. I wrote a little before the pandemic, but it was sprinkled in-between rehearsals, traveling, and learning other artists’ music. I spent the last three years writing every day and couldn’t be happier.
What was it like working with musicians like Gordy Quist from the Band of Heathens on your debut album? How did their contributions enhance the overall sound and vision you had for the project?
It was a dream to work with Gordy. He’s an incredibly talented dude. He took this handful of songs from bar band hits to works of art. He was one of the most positive, encouraging, and realistic people I’ve gotten to work with to date. I’d love to keep recording with him in the future. Not to mention he has one of the best studios in Austin.
As a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, how do you navigate the songwriting process? What inspires you to write and what are some of the key elements you focus on when crafting your songs?
I used to just write when I was sad or needed to work through something. But these days I really try to write in every mood. I don’t want my songs to just capture the sadness. I write every day in every way. I never stick to just one thing to write. Different instruments bring out different moods. I’ll start on bass if I want a fun funky upbeat song, Piano if I want a heartfelt song, and the car if I want a unique melody. I also co-write with as many people as I can. I learned so much through playing with hundreds of musicians through the years. I figure if I write with hundreds, I’ll learn twice as fast. Iron sharpens iron.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for your music career? Are there any particular milestones or collaborations that you hope to achieve in the future?
I’d like to write my way into a publishing deal soon. A dream collaboration would be with Norah Jones. I grew up in the church and she was the first secular artist I was allowed to listen to. It inspired me to follow the dream of being a musician and eventually a songwriter. If I could write with anyone she’d be my top pick.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to convey to your fans and listeners about your music, the upcoming album, or the impact you hope to make through your artistry?
My biggest takeaway from making this album is to love yourself. I know it sounds cheesy but it’s one of the most important things you can do in life. And I’d like to thank everyone for listening! You all make this possible for me to keep doing what I do. I couldn’t be more grateful for people that want to listen to what I write. And I hope it helps them through life like other artists have helped me through mine.
