Ruby Alexander is a folk soul singer from down under and her style is unique and one of its own. She echoes the styles of Amy Winehouse mixed in with the folk sensibilities of some Joni Mitchell. Growing up in Australia and now making the trek to the States, Alexander’s voice is rich as she knows how to manage her vocals to a tee. She looks up to the guitar prowess of Nick Drake and the talents of the lead vocalist of Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard.
Alexander was featured in Australia’s Lion King. She acquired guitar playing skills at the age of eight and has now blossomed into a full fledged singer after graduating from NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Music this year.
I talk to Alexander about her debut on the scene thus far.
Tell me about yourself.
I grew up in Sydney, Australia until I was eighteen then I moved to New York City to study at New York University’s Clive Davis of Recorded Music. It was an amazing time. It was music all the time.
What was your experience at the NYU Clive Davis Institute of Music?
I honestly loved it and I never planned on moving to the United States. Australia does not have a course like that and I am sure that not many places do. When it comes to music and arts, inspiration comes a lot from what is unspoken too.
What is the difference between the Australia scene and the United States music scene?
In Australia, I have not come across much of an R&B, soul, or hip hop scene. We have an amazing indie rock scene though. The crowds are truly alive. I feel like I did not grow up in a soul scene in Australia, unfortunately.
You were in the Lion King as well.
I played young Nala for about a year in Sydney. I was young, before the age of twelve. It was such a formative time. I love musical theater. I received an introduction to world music then. That was got me into vocal harmonies and the lush ways I could use my voice not only melodically but rhythmically too. The experience left me with a very deep curiosity on how to play with my voice.
Do you think you caught the acting bug?
No, but I realized the older I get the more I loved the script and loved pulling apart words. I just wanted to try writing myself though.
What is your first single “All This Time Together” about?
It’s a love song but it comes with the understanding that you don’t need to fill in the gaps or space with something. It’s a song of reassurance. My first experience with love was interchangeable with reassurance. At the end of the day we should be here for one another and we do not have to say anything. When you have that connection, there’s that knowing. It’s an understanding of deep knowing.
Your style intertwines folk and soul. Is the first single indicative of what your upcoming project will sound like?
It is! There’s an atmospheric quality to it. I love lush harmonies and playing with the voice. That’s my most natural form of expression. The guitar is what really underpins this as well. I have a background in classical and flamenco guitar from an amazing teacher who taught me from an age of eight. That really grounded and influenced my songwriting.
Will you go on tour?
That’s the goal. Right now I’m setting up live shows around New York. I have a three piece set up. So it’s me on guitar and vocals, keys, and sax. I haven’t gotten into a place yet of transferring the live energy into a recording to my dream capacity. There’s something about live music that can’t be captured at all.
What’s next?
I have some singles and an EP coming out. All the songs build on each other and intertwine. I recorded them at the same time. There’s a lot of beautiful visuals that will come along with it the project as well.
