Canadian Vine singer, Ruth B, has had quite the career already. After having a viral hit with her six second song covers, along with her breakout hit “Lost Boy,” Ruth B released THE INTRO EP last year. Now she is going on tour with Alessia Cara, and hopes to have an album out sometime in the coming year. The Knockturnal had the pleasure of talking with her about her inspirations, her process, and what’s next for her (tour dates listed below).
Can you reflect on how you blew up, specifically with “Lost Boy”? What was that success like?
Ruth B: “Lost Boy” kind of started as a six-second idea that I had about a TV show called “Once Upon A Time.” I’d been watching the show, and it was all about Peter Pan. So when I was playing on my keyboard around that time, I kind of kept singing the line “I’m a lost boy from Neverland/Usually hanging out with Peter Pan.” I decided to post it to Vine, and that’s where it had its blow-up. It’s been very cool, and very satisfying to watch something that I made for fun turn into something so great that I hadn’t expected.
I know you’re going on tour with Alessia Cara. How excited are you for the tour, and what can the fans expect?
Ruth B: I’m super excited to be going out and supporting her. I think my set will be a lot different this time around, as I’ll be working with a band now. It’ll be really different and really fun.
Who are some singers or writers that really inspired you?
Ruth B: I really love Lauryn Hill, Ed Sheeran, The Beatles… Just a lot of storytellers – I love when I can listen to a song and almost feel like I’m reading a book. I love a good story.
What inspired you to start doing your music covers on Vine, as opposed to full-length Youtube videos?
Ruth B: To be honest, Vine was just easier. It was very easy to access, and I didn’t have to put too much time into it. It was much more for fun, and brought me joy. It was something I could do quickly and easily, and still had time for things like homework and hanging out with friends. It was just convenient.
Would you say that working in the six-second intervals helped you in the writing process?
Ruth B: Yeah! It definitely helped me with “Lost Boy,” and it’s probably helped me even now, just in terms of creativity. Whether it was a cover or a six-second original, I always try to make sure I post the best and most unique six seconds possible. So I think now that’s played a part in my songwriting, in that I want each line to be the best line it can be, and have the most impact.
How do you think this new age of internet media is helping performers nowadays?
Ruth B: I think for the most part it’s just so great for getting your material out there into the world. I’m from Alberta, and growing up, my big thing was always that I wanted to do music, but I had no idea how I could ever get started, or how anyone would ever hear about me. I think the internet is so cool in the fact that you can be in your basement, having fun with making music, and that can eventually change your life.
Is that why “Lost Boy” was connected to your love of ONCE UPON A TIME? Do any of your other songs stems from similar forms of media?
Ruth B: I think, for now, “Lost Boy” is the only one. It was the first song I’d ever written, so it kind of just happened like that. Nowadays, it’s more about whatever’s going on in my life, or whatever I happen to run into. I’ll just try to get a story out of that. I mean, I’m always open to reading a book or watching a show, and if a song comes out of it, that’s great.
We’ve been talking a lot about “Lost Boy,” but how about the other songs from the EP? What was your process like writing those?
Ruth B: It’s kind of cool, because when I wrote those songs, it was never towards a project, or for the EP. I just wrote them over the course of five months, when I felt a song coming. Then a couple months later I was told “okay, you need to make an EP.” It kind of just happened like that. There’s a song on it called “2 Poor Kids,” and the idea for that came on a bus ride home from school. And the song “Superficial Love” came from a guy wanting to talk to me for the wrong reasons. They’re kind of from all over the place, and I think that’s the best way to do it.
Is there anyone you’re hoping to collaborate with, now that you’re breaking into the industry more?
Ruth B: Producer-wise, I’m not sure. Songwriter-wise, it would definitely be Ed Sheeran. His album “+” was such a huge part of my life, and it changed my idea of music. So I’d love to just watch him work.
Do you have any more projects in the works?
Ruth B: I definitely have an album in the works, and I’m hoping for early 2017. I’m just very excited for people to hear the rest of my stories.
RUTH B TOUR DATES
September 29 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
September 30 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
October 1 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre – Boston
October 4 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
October 6 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
October 7 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
October 8 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
October 10 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
October 11 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
October 13 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
October 15 – Las Vegas, NV – The Foundry at SLS Las Vegas
October 17 – San Francisco, CA – Masonic Theater
October 18 – San Diego, CA – Copley Symphony Hall
October 21 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
October 22 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
October 24 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
October 25 – Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
October 27 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
October 28 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater
October 29 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
November 1 – Montreal – Metropolis
November 2 – Toronto – Massey Hall
