Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Dice.
Hi Ruby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2013, I left my hometown Gunnison Colorado and made my way to Austin. I had played in my family band since childhood and various bands around my little mountain town. I originally moved here with a band from Colorado and at the time really didn’t sing much. Was a bit too shy to ever get on the mic in front of anybody. After my band broke up and went separate ways, I started playing with anybody that would have me. One night I was playing blues, the next night country, pop, whatever was hiring I was playing. It was an amazing experience getting to play such different sounding music every night. I felt grateful to be in a place where that was a possibility.
I started a little cover band with a few friends so we could all make extra scratch during the week. All of us backed up different mid-level artists or were currently in between gigs. It quickly became some of my favorite nights musically. We were just flying by the seat of our pants and throwing songs at each other for the first time on stage. After a few months, we had started to really tie a tight set together. The band has become family as the years have gone by. My guitar player and I are a few months from getting hitched so I’d say we all like each other.
I had started to experiment writing around five years ago but never had a ton of time to form those thoughts fully or musically until covid hit. All of the sudden, there were no gigs outside of our own. I had nothing but time and a somewhat dwindling bank account as the months dragged on. And then a gig! Far Out Lounge and SageBrush reached out to us and offered us a residency. It was limited capacity, and masks required. With fresh songs and a new opportunity to re-invent ourselves, we started experimenting. Refining songs after seeing the reaction of a live audience. Did they dance? Did they take notice or keep on with their night. Much like a comedian does with their jokes, I used our crowd to help shape the band’s sound.
It has very much been a self-discovery venture as much as it has been an artistic one. Going into the unknown looking for something bigger will always push and challenge you in new ways.
I just did release our new EP Denim Disco June 5th. It was a pretty amazing experience getting to share the night with friends and fans alike on a set I had put so much of myself into. I’ll likely always back up other artists from time to time just because I have so much fun playing different music. I learn something new with every new player I come across.
My goals with writing are to someday help tip the scales in a positive direction while still moving people on the dance floor.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. There have been many times when I’ve considered finding other careers. Sometimes you watch years of work and investment go down the drain because the band implodes. It’s a fickle business and important to remember that you need music. But music doesn’t necessarily need you. The more I’ve taken a step back and prioritized what makes me happiest, the easier this career gets. The right thing will always be the fruitful thing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a songwriter, singer, and bass player.
The thing I’m most proud of… that’s a hard one. But a huge highlight for me was opening up for Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys. It was a friend’s band and a magical couple of nights.
What sets me apart? Musically I can jump across most genres pretty seamlessly. There aren’t a ton of bass players that sing or write songs. I think that might make me a little unique.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I had to have reconstructive surgery after getting hit in the face with a ski lift as a kid. Most of my mouth was numb for over a year and made it difficult to speak clearly sometimes. Taking the time to learn how to sing really helped me with my comfort level in holding down regular day to day conversations.
Contact Info:
- Email: rubydicemusic@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.rubydice.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubydice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubydicemusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rubydicemusic?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvnVla9ggs5jCkkEEUOp70g
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/rubydice
Image Credits
Rachel Boettcher. Michael Wright, Calloway Ritch, Jon Calderas.
