Since releasing her 2019 debut EP, We Sing Together Or Not At All, Melbourne musician and songwriter Ruby Mae has become one of the city’s most dynamic and exciting talents.
Her songwriting skill, providing a natural blend of open and emotional beats, has endeared her to a growing, loyal fanbase, while also generating buzz for her music from Australian and international outlets alike.
2024 was a touchstone year for Ruby Mae, her music reaching broader audiences and offering an exciting look at what lay ahead. And now, Ruby Mae has reached such a point in her creative career, the release of her debut album, BABY.
Recorded between both Soundpark Studios and The Aviary Studios in Melbourne, ‘BABY’ saw Ruby Mae team up with Stephen Mowat (Ali Barter, Pez) on mixing and engineering; George Georgiadis (Charlie Collins, Matt Corby) on mastering; and a dream team of instrumentalists including Richard Bradbeer (bass), Reginald Auldist-King (drums) and Declan Skinner (guitar).
“I had been writing a collection of songs that I was really proud of over the last 5 years. I wanted to do these songs justice and step up with different collaborators so I reached out to Stephen Mowat. I knew Stephen had worked with artists that I loved and respected (Ali Barter, Wilsn) and to my surprise, after reaching out, Stephen replied that he was keen to work with me too!
We had to cut down about 25 songs to 10, then we began pre production at The Aviary Studios. The next step was tracking at Soundpark Studios. Stephen recruited two session musicians, Richard Bradbeer on bass and Reginald Auldist-King on drums (who had to come in last minute and learn the songs in a day pretty much), and I brought my friend Declan Skinner to play guitar.
We tracked the album for 3 busy days. The rest of the album was finished back at The Aviary with Stephen and I. Layers of vocals, guitars, keys, and synths. It was fun, cathartic, challenging, and so rewarding” Ruby Mae
Featuring previous singles ‘Dickhead’, ‘Hurricane’, ‘Keeper’ and ‘All My Brothers Have Girlfriends’, and ‘Hindsight’, Baby is a beautiful culmination of experiences and memories that have made up the last few years for Ruby Mae.
A collection of stories and memories that have been orchestrated and delivered with nuance and emotion (‘Sort Through Your Mind’, ‘Lawless’) it is hard not to get swept up in waves of nostalgia, yearning and charm.
“
Baby’ is a collection of songs I’ve written about mine and the people around me’s experience of being in our 20s, particularly women in their 20s. Dating, heartbreak, love, independence, fear, expectations, courage, finding yourself and knowing yourself.
I feel that the album is highly relatable, poignant, reflective, funny, honest, and hopeful. It represents me in the way that the songs are all true stories about my life, whether they’re about me or my friends or family, and in the way that it draws on my diverse range of influences/genres over time; singer-songwriter, country, indie, rock.” Ruby Mae
With the release of the project, we learn more about Ruby Mae through different stories presented here, such as that of ‘Ex Lover’ – a song about struggling with the consequences of your own decisions. An intimate look at our choices, the music remains fun and inviting even when the lyrics are complicated in nature.
As Ruby Mae describes; “[It is] About doing what you know is good for you, what you know is right, but being tempted by what’s bad for you. It’s for everyone who wants to lean into their naughty side every now and then. It’s fun and sexy and I love it!”
The music video for ‘Hindsight’, filmed in Yarra Junction stars Ruby Mae’s younger brother Gus, and is a pure and straightforward representation of a central theme to the song: to keep moving on.
“In the video, you can see Gus is trying to get somewhere but things keep getting in the way (car breaks down, bike chain breaks, sandals break) but he just keeps going, and in the end all his effort to get to his destination – it’s just to get to the milkbar for a snack. It’s a metaphor for no matter where you want to go, and whatever happens along the way, you still have the total ability to keep going.” RUBY MAE
Ruby Mae has become a favourite on live stages; supporting the likes of Jess Cornelius, The Terrys and Karise Eden, while also developing a strong reputation as a headliner, selling out shows at beloved Melbourne venues including The Gasometer, Stay Gold and The Grace Darling Hotel.
A longtime favourite with community radio stations nationwide, Ruby Mae’s music has earned constant praise and airplay everywhere from RTR FM on the West Coast; Radio Adelaide in South Australia; 3RRR FM in Melbourne and Sydney’s FBi Radio.
In 2024, she clocked in as one of the most played artists for the year on 4ZZZ Radio in Queensland. Additionally, Ruby Mae’s upward trajectory has included airplay and praise from national broadcasters in triple j, Triple J Unearthed and Triple M, while Seattle’s iconic KEXP became enamored with Ruby Mae, opening a fruitful avenue for airplay in North America.
To celebrate the launch of BABY, Ruby Mae will perform a special hometown show at The Curtin Hotel in Melbourne this coming May. This is going to be a prime opportunity for fans to experience this new creative chapter in full flight.
‘BABY’ ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW
Saturday 3 May The Curtin Hotel Melbourne