Wonderful lyrics and beautiful voice. Say hello to Ruby Gill! We decided to feature her, not because we just luuurve her name, but because she is a local KZN homegrown singer/songwriter. Her sound is Indiie folk and with that voice, we know she is going to go a long way! Listen to her latest song release below and look out for her second album, which is coming out in the next month.
How did you get into music? Was it a hobby that expanded into a career, or has it been a dream since you were young?
I was forced to take piano lessons from the age of 5, and hated every minute of it, until I realized that I could do my own stuff, and it made me incredibly happy! Music has always been a huge part of my life. My whole family is musical, and we were brought up on the widest range of genres and artists imaginable. As a child, I had the typical dream of wanting to be a ‘popstar’, and when I got to an age where I could actually understand what that meant, I knew it was what I was going to do. I’ve been writing music since I was 13 (admittedly, it was ridiculously terrible, but it was a start), and I recorded my first album when I was 15. Now, it’s part of who I am. This is how I express myself, this is how I get through life. It became a sort of escape and therapy for me, as well as a passion. I was blessed with the ability to sing in key and write acceptable piano melodies, therefore I shall use it.
Tell us about yourself in three words
Ridiculous, hungry, nerdy.
What were you doing prior to becoming a musician?
Haha, uhm, not much. School. I read a lot of books. I spent too much time inside. I wrote too many stories about cats.
What did you study?
Nothing yet! Next year I’m moving to JHB to study a BA in Performing and Visual Arts (majoring in Maths and Music).
Where are you based? And do you travel for your music?
I am currently based in the thriving metropolis of Pietermaritzburg, KZN, but as of December I’ll be in JHB. It’s more fun there, and there are a lot more musical opportunities, obviously. At the moment, I’ve only been travelling in and around the Midlands and KZN area.
How would you describe your music style?
It’s always difficult to answer that! Probably Indie/Pop/Folk, if I had to give an accurate response. The album coming up has a lot of acoustic tracks, with mandolins and choirs and very laid-back stuff.
What inspires you?
In terms of my music, the people around me are my biggest inspiration. My boyfriend (boyfriends are excellent sources of inspiration, in loving and angry times), my friends, the community. The world and nature are also integral parts of my thought processes. I once wrote a song that made reference to at least five types of food. These things are more inspiring than you think! (I am being sarcastic, by the way. I think I was just hungry).
Besides music, what are your other loves?
I looooove baking. I’m not very good at it, and I end up eating most of the mixture, but baking is excellent. I’m a bit of a nerd, so I read and I write and I watch TV. I love sleeping, I love lettuce, and I love Greys Anatomy. I love my friends and family. My boyfriend has a pet pig called Mumford and we all have to love her. I love cold weather and frozen yoghurt, and sunsets and rain. I love hugs and I love people.
Do you do record your music? Do you write your own songs?
Yes and yes. My second album is set for release in a month’s time, and the first single off the album was released a couple of weeks ago (you can download it here http://soundcloud.com/rubygillmusic ). We just released the music video for it (which you can find here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7lE18vczZc) and I’m super excited to see where it goes.
Do you ever sing at functions like weddings or other events?
At the moment, weddings are my thing. They’re romantic and they make me happy, and nobody even notices if I make a huge mistake or look silly, because they’re all teary-eyed and euphoric. Once, a bride asked me to play a song as they came down the aisle, but couldn’t seem to find a name for it. I still, to this day, do not know if I played the song she was asking for, but nobody really minded. Sometimes I sing at functions with lots of boring people. Festivals are my favourite.
What do you see in the future for yourself in the next few years?
Hopefully, JHB will bring a whole bunch of opportunities, and I’m hoping to get a record deal, and play music with some very cool bands and artists up there. I’d like to do the normal things, like finish my degree and get married and stuff, but right now, I’m concentrating on moving forward with the music thing. It’s a little scary, and you never know what might happen, but that’s the plan.
How can people get hold of you?
My email address is info@rubygillmusic.com , and my website (which is under construction at the moment) is www.rubygillmusic.com . I’m on all the normal social media things (www.facebook.com/rubygillmusic and www.twitter.com/rubymarygill ) too.
Please finish these sentences:
Right now I am happy about the weather.
Music is like air. You kind of have to have it.
Rooibos tea is a lot better tasting than five roses.
I am so grateful for the people and the love in my life.
People would say that I am nerdy, loud, and a little bit weird. My boyfriend says I’m a lot weird.
I get annoyed when people are silly and arrogant.
A photograph is what keeps the things and people in it alive, even after they’re gone.
In a year I will be fitter (probably not) and will have rid myself of my chocolate addiction (definitely not).
When I wake up in the morning I pretend that I haven’t. Then of course at some point I get excited about a new day, and I do the normal morning things.
I don't understand a lot of what I’m supposed to. I don’t understand why people are mean and children get hurt, and I don’t understand why no one has invented something that doesn’t possibly give you cancer yet.
I am terrified of heights, and losing my glasses. Once I lost my glasses whilst getting dunked by a wave at the beach. Literally, they just fell off my head. (It’s my fault for wearing them in the water). Boyfriend saved the day and found them underwater, but I had a rather large panic attack.
Tomorrow I will be sad that it’s not today anymore.
If I had a million Rand I would laugh. I’m really not that lucky. (But if I really did, I’d buy a lot of pianos and give a lot to charities that help kids get a good education).Labels: aroundsouthafrica, Durban, music, Ruby Gill