Interview: Ruby Coast

Since forming in 2006, Canadian indie outfit Ruby Coast have slowly been making a name for themselves, touring with Passion Pit and recording their debut album with the producer behind Arcade Fire. As they release 'Whatever This Is' for free (download it here), I spoke to lead singer Justice McLellan to discuss why it's taken so long for their forst record to reach our ears, and their grand plan to hitchhike their way to Europe.

So, tell us how Ruby Coast met and formed as a band.

We started to hang out and jam together in high school. It basically started with us getting really stoned, messing around, playing covers [and] then later on we made a conscience effort to start writing some full songs. If we were into something we would just record it quickly on a crappy tape player then listen to it later and would come to the conclusion that we made something rad or were just really high and that it sucked.

On your Facebook page, you describe your sound as ‘indie rock with heart’. There’s a fair amount of indie rock out there at the minute, so aside from the heart, what do you think distinguishes you from the rest?

Well when you’re in a band with guitars, keys, bass and drums chances are you going to have similar timbre to other bands with the same set up. We do try to find new sounds and strive for originality but it all comes down to what feels right. There’s a million songs with the same chord progression and we just go on our instincts with the combinations we’ve made. What I’m trying to say is we won’t be obscure for the sake of being obscure. We’ve always thought about what feels right with the song opposed to “if we wait an extra beat will it distinguish us from the rest?”.

You guys formed in 2006, yet it’s taken five years before your first official album release this year. How has the band been preparing for this in those years?

It’s been way too long. Our EP received some recognition but it didn’t blow us up by any means. That left us in this spot where we were touring quite a bit and it was just a bitch to get things rolling with the new record. There are a few more reasons why but it’s in the past, so whatever. All you need to know is that it won’t happen again.

Your debut, ‘Whatever This Is’ has been produced by Howard Bileman (Arcade Fire) and Brian Paulson (Wilco). These are two pretty influential names to have scored in producing a debut album; how did they affect your style and sound?

They knew how to capture live sounds which was crucial for this record. There’s parts where it speeds up and slows down because we didn’t use a metronome and that helped our record sound a little loose and not tight like a Top 40 song. When it came down to song structures there were basically no changes. Howard had some ideas and brought some great musicians from Montreal in to lay some harp, saw and a few other things which added to the record. I must say though, Brian’s final mix on the songs made everything come together. He’s a mixing whizz and a groovy dude.

Arcade Fire are pretty huge right now, and with the same producer and similar sound, there are bound to be comparisons drawn. Are you worried that these comparisons might overshadow your own work?

Arcade Fire overshadows everyone and their grandmothers. They’re in this rare ‘legends in their own time’ kind of band so any comparison to them I’ll just take as a compliment. We just want to make art we believe in and people can take it or leave it. Comparisons haven’t stopped us from making music and it’s not something we worry about. It seems every new band I hear of is the ‘next something’ or sounds close to something.

Who are your biggest influences right now, both musical or otherwise?

My Bloody Valentine’s record Loveless hasn’t left my record player since Christmas. Other than that, inspiration and influence is just a day to day sort of thing for me.

You’ve toured or played with bands such as Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians and Passion Pit. How has seeing them work on stage influenced you?

It’s made me not want to mumble like a nervous idiot on stage… I’ve always been really comfortable with how we interact together on stage so I think just listening to their music while on tour inspires me. Besides that, we’ve inspired each other to get a little too rowdy after shows.

You’ve done pretty extensive touring in America and Canada, but so far nothing over on European shores. Is that something you’d like to venture once the record has been released in the States?

Playing in Europe is my dream of all dreams. We’ll get there as soon as we have a ride. Our thumbs are out and we’re walking down the road, so pull over all of you European promoters and booking agents. I’m hoping to have some tea with Jonny Greenwood.

Finally, three songs you wish you’d written, are…

Broken Social Scene – Lovers Spit
Neil Young – After the Gold Rush
Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees

This interview was originally published on www.culturedeluxe.com