Interview: The Ruby Suns

by Brad Roberts

 

The very day after my interview with Alan Sparhawk of Retribution Gospel Choir, here I got to do my second Sub Pop interview. Nothing like jumping right into the fire, I say.

 

On Wednesday, April 14, 2010, I got to The Echo at the appointed time of 7:30, to meet Ryan McPhun of The Ruby Suns (at right). Like Spaceland the night before, I got to go in and see the place with all the lights on. It's a little like accidentally walking in on someone in their underwear. All the blemishes show and it's a bit disconcerting, as I'm so used to feeling my way around these venues in the dark.
 

The sound guys were checking out all of Ryan McPhun's sound making machines, and let me tell you, this was like a series of lovely sonic assaults, each one recognizable for it's place in the compositions on Fight Softly, The Ruby Suns newest CD on Sub Pop. I've been listening to that album a lot, and it's insistent and addictive little numbers have a way of burrowing into your brain like some big, fluffy cosmic wash of futuristic, electronic dance music...or is it trance music?

 

Anyhow, I settled into a seat at the edge as someone with The Ruby Suns told me Ryan (at left) was around and would come and find me. I introduced myself to one of the opening bands, Pepper Rabbit, after I heard one of them mention Newbury Street, so I asked, "Are you guys from Boston?" They told me they spent time in Boston but didn't originate there. They would be first on the bill.

 

Ryan McPhun found me and took me up to the 'Blue Room' to have a chat and he could not have been more gracious. As this was the final night of a two month tour, he seemed upbeat, relaxed and satisfied. After a couple of weeks off, he heads off for a European tour. I asked if he will go home to Auckland in between, and he explained how the trip is so involved, difficult and lengthy that once you're out of there you don't go back until you're ready to settle in for a definite period of time.

In fact the difficulty of getting in and out of New Zealand, he tells me, is the main reason for the many rotating band members involved with The Ruby Suns. Not everyone can get away at the same time, and it's often for expended periods which only compounds the problem. Amee Robinson, who is usually on tour, and, incidentally, designs all the beautiful T-shirts and magnificent album art that adorns their releases, was unable to corral enough free time to accompany Ryan this time.

 

I told him I'm enjoying his new CD, though it took a little getting used to. Asking him if releasing such a radical, experimental album was scary, he replied, "Yes, very much so". There's always a danger of alienating your primary fan base, but with The Ruby Suns, they've always pushed the envelope and I think their followers will be more than happy to follow Fight Softly.

 

I was curious how travel became such a central element in his life (and how it seems to inform all his music) like, how did he end up, as a child, going to New Zealand from southern California in the first place? His father was a Kiwi and had family there, so they regularly took trips to visit relatives. A mother from Zimbabwe added travel to Africa as an experience. No wonder his music pulls from such a large pallet of stylistic influences.

 

After carrying his southern California influences with him and settling semi-permanently in New Zealand he was with the band The Brunettes for a couple of years, all the while, gestating The Ruby Suns, until it burst forth in 2004.  I first heard about them and saw them a couple of times in 2008 and was completely swept away by the dense musical voyage I was taken on.

 

They've toured with The Shins and went on a short European tour a few years ago with one of my recent favorites, Field Music.  I envied him for getting to spend time with those remarkable guys. I said it sounded like he spends as much time travelling as possible, and he admitted it is only through touring and music promotion that he can afford to do this at all.

But travel is vital to his growth and development as an artist, that's obvious.

 

I thanked him for his time and really appreciated the relaxed and casual conversation we were able to have. I'll remember this fondly. I left for a bite and went back just in time to see Pepper Rabbit perform a distinctive and rich set of finely sung indie rock that so caught my attention I immediately bought their CD afterward. But apart from Pepper Rabbit, who I had just met earlier and thanked for a fine set, I was only too happy to find Doug Kresse and Ashley Jex to hang with. I knew no one there and the place was packed.

 

Toro Y Moi were the second band and I really knew nothing about them, but the crowd they brought in was of the "I-wanna-dance, talk-to-my-friends, and-text-message, all-at-the-same-time" variety so I wasn't very curious. All bass and beat.

 

Fortunately the crowd thinned down a bit for The Ruby Suns, so Ryan and company were able to magnificently recreate the dense, swirling rush that comes with Fight Softly in a live setting. All the sound machines came together and Ryan's vocals were beautifully balanced into the mix. I must confess to being a bit exhausted after two big nights with interviews both nights and all the preliminary tension that can bring, so I was starting to fade, but it was well worth it and I'll look forward to whatever path Ryan McPhun takes us on next.