Ruby is a singer / songwriter hailing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in the UK. Her soulful yet distinctive voice has enabled her to front numerous projects over the years; perhaps best known as lead vocalist of the critically acclaimed Submotion Orchestra, since 2009.
Her first solo EP ‘Sincerely’ dropped back in 2023, and received love from the likes of Jamie Cullum, Jyoty, Craig Charles, Huey Morgan, Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) & Ronnie Herel.
The follow-up EP ‘No Rain, No Flowers’ is a personal tale of growth through adversity. Reflecting on long-term love, fleeting intimacy, grief, and the relationships that shape us. Rather than offering answers, the 8-track EP sits with life as it is. Imperfect, cyclical and shared. The title speaks to the belief that difficult experiences are not separate from growth, but essential to it.
Musically, the project encompasses contemporary flavours within the realms of r&b, soul and hip hop. With production primarily from Rob Mitchell of Abstract Orchestra, with assistance from the likes of El Train, Pitch 92 & Paal Singh along the way, it features an impressive collective of vocal collaboraters who each bring their own distinct perspective, whilst complimenting the EP’s introspective tone; favouring warmth, restraint & lyrical authenticity.
Following the EP’s opening ethereal self-titled spoken word piece, we head to the deeply epic infectious gospel-flavoured hip hop soul of ‘This Thing Called Life’, featuring Illa J (brother of the late great J Dilla) and Abstract Orchestra. A reflection on shared humanity, Ruby explains that this song focuses on “connection over division. It’s to remind us that, regardless of background or circumstance, we are all partaking in the same fragile experience”.
‘Someone’ follows on a smooth downtempo 90’s r&b tip, drafting in the vocal talents of Devin Tracy, and a message to “not take love for granted”. Mancunian MC Abnormal Sleepz joins Ruby on ‘You Can Get It’, a track she says is “rooted in enouragement, pride and positive affirmations”. EP closer ‘When I’m With You’ drafts in another MCR artist by the name of PRIDO, who adds afrobeats flavour to an uplifting uptempo stepper that Ruby says is a “song of emotional arrival”.
Whilst the ballad ‘On My Mind’ and the pacier ‘Things Fall Apart’ explore different elements of relationships, from friendships to romantic encounters, ‘Dominos’ is inspired by a photograph of Ruby’s daughter & her great-grandfather playing together shortly before his passing. Ruby elaborates that this one is a “meditation on ageing, on legacy & on the inevitability of change”, set to a smooth sonic backdrop of beautifully rich instrumentation, as is on display throughout this project.
Ruby has performed live shows with Nightmares on Wax & Abstract Orchestra as well as with r&b legend Bryson Tiller at his sell-out UK gigs, including Wembley Arena & Manchester Apollo. This is additionally to touring with Bonobo & Nubiyan Twist, and collaborating with the likes of Krept & Konan, Alfa Mist, GLXY and Roska, to name a few.
The diversity of her career, ranging from the intimate to the large-scale performances, gives Ruby a unique balance of vulnerability and musical depth, prioritising authenticity over spectacle. As a solo artist, her work is rooted in honest lived experiences, leading to a focus on songs that resonate long after first listen.
This EP offers a reflection of where Ruby is at now, informed by where she’s been before. It’s a project that embraces imperfection, recognising that those experiences that challenge us the most, shape us the deepest.
1. No Rain, No Flowers
2. This Thing Called Life ft Illa J & Abstract Orchestra
3. Someone ft Devin Tracy
4. Dominos
5. On My Mind
6. You Can Get It ft Abnormal Sleepz
7. Things Fall Apart
8. When I'm With You ft Prido
