Ruth B. Interview

Ashley caught up with singer-songwriter Ruth B. for a Q&A during her stop on the Safe Haven Part 1 Tour in Evanston, IL.

Safe Haven the album has been out for about 2 weeks, what was release day like for you?

It was really fun, it felt very overdue and I felt so relieved when it finally happened because I’ve been living with these songs for such a long time.

You haven’t been writing songs for very long but when I listen to your lyrics you sound like such a seasoned writer, did you grow up with music?

Thank you! I grew up loving music and writing stories and reading books. I never really put the two together but once I did it kind of came just as natural as singing does.

You grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. What’s it like being a singer there verses touring in the states, is there a difference?

When I was singing in Edmonton it was very much my little secret, and now it’s something that I get to share with a lot of people which is great.

Is there a song on Safe Haven that you get the most excited to play or that’s the most fun for you?

I love playing Safe Haven [the song] because I get to play keys and it’s probably the most meaningful song for me on the album.

Let’s back up to when Lost Boy went viral to now, what were some of the “I can’t believe this is happening” moments along the way? It’s been a fast ride.

The whole thing was pretty intense. I remember when I got the first email from a record label, I was at work at Marshall’s and I thought it was some kind of joke. And then things took off and it’s been really fun and crazy and cool trying to just live in every moment.

You had a chance to tour with Alessia Cara last year, what was that like?

It was awesome. That was my first tour experience ever and I really love her music and her message. I learned how to live on the road and perform over and over again and she was great.

Looking forward to the rest of this year, what are you most excited for?

Just continuing to spread the word about my music so that people know more about me than just Lost Boy. Hopefully planning for another tour.

Do you get a chance to connect with a lot of fans at shows and hear their personal stories?

Yeah, I hear a lot of amazing things. I come out and do a meet and greet after every show and I do it for them but for me too because it fuels me hearing about their lives and what my music means to them. It’s the best feeling.

Do you find time to write songs when you’re on the road or is it hard to do both?

I’ve learned to write all over the place. It’s like breathing for me. No matter where I am, I’m probably writing a song.

Do you ever do any cowriting?

Not yet, I wrote this whole album myself. When I’m writing it’s kind of like my diary and I don’t know how to be as honest with anyone else. But it’s definitely something that I want to try in the future.

Who would be your dream collaborator, whether writing together or singing a duet?

I would love to work with Ed Sheeran. He’s one of my favorites and a big part of why I started writing.

If you’re going to bare your emotions to anyone as a co writer, I feel like he would be the person.

Right? That would be amazing.

One of my favorite songs on Safe Haven is “Young,” and there’s a line in it that says “I’m obsessed with being a mess,” talk to me about that line because it’s such a great one.

That’s one of my favorites too. I wrote it about my high school graduation night and I remember being completely stressed that whole year and not knowing what I was going to do with my life. And I remember that night at the party we had, everyone was kind of enjoying not knowing what was going to happen. We were all kind of lost in the music and each other and I remember saying to my friends, “I don’t really mind that my life is so messy right now,” so that’s where that came from.

For someone who may have never seen a show of yours or heard the album, what would you tell them to expect?

A lot of honesty. It’s me on my keyboard and I keep it really stripped back. I do write a lot of sad songs so be prepared but it’s always a good time.

You’re playing a lot of small venues on this tour. Do you have a vision of what your album would look like on an arena stage?

Yeah, I think me at the piano will always be a big part of my show and everything that I do because I like to keep it organic but I’m always a fan of growing and elevating things.

Can we do some rapid fire Q&A?

Yeah, bring it on.

Favorite ice cream?

Coconut with almond shavings.

Spirit animal?

Gopher.

Favorite season?

Fall.

Go to shower song?

To Zion, Lauryn Hill.

Favorite Netflix binge?

Thirteen reasons why. I did that one in two nights.

For more from Ruth B. follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @itsruthb, and visit https://www.ruthbofficial.com/ to see when the Safe Haven Tour is stopping by a city near you. Safe Haven is available on iTunes and Spotify worldwide.