CULTED SOUNDS
RUTI’S SOULFUL RHYTHMS ARE WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR RN
It’s not everyday you discover emerging talent as soulful as Ruti. Merging silky smooth vocals with laid back beats in each track, we find ourselves escaping our hectic day-to-day lifestyle and mellowing to the chilled out melody. After gaining exposure from winning The Voice UK under mentorship of Sir Tom Jones, it wasn’t long before Ruti was deep diving into writing music, going on to releasing two EP’s; ‘Racing Cars’ and ‘All At Once’, which was released mid-pandemic. For what was undoubtedly a rocky year, All At Once shone a light on the importance of slowing down, a message that still rings true in a post-lockdown world.
For this week’s CULTED SOUNDS we spoke to Ruti about where her music career began, inspirations behind the beautiful ‘My Sunshine’ and the tracks she’s loving right now. If you’re looking to relax and unwind this weekend before the start of another new week, scroll to find a curated playlist, selecting the best of Ruti, her favourite tracks and some of our top chilled beats.
From winning The Voice UK back in 2018, to releasing two incredible EPs and most recently signing with Sony ATV, we want to know where it all started. Can you tell us a bit about how you began your music career- was this a path you always wanted to pursue?
I’ve always loved performing. I started dancing when I was about 3 but wasn’t till I was about 11 that I got interested in Music. I think one I just decided I’d like to sing and then that was it. As I started secondary school I just got more and more involved with the music department. When I started to play instruments and I started GCSE’s I began to write my own music. I got an iPad mini around that time for Christmas and cried because it meant I could start using garage band at home.
My skills and my passion just kinda grew with me through school and then by the time I’d finished A levels I’d won the voice and was signed to a major label – which I definitely did not prepare for! Although I don’t know if I’ve ever really thought about what I would do if it ‘didn’t work out’. It just felt so natural to me that I couldn’t even think of a back up plan!
Your latest EP ‘All at Once’ features beautifully soulful rhythms, with ‘My Sunshine’ particularly creating noise online. What was the main inspiration behind the track?
It was written pre Covid times and I was feeling a like I needed a break. I felt burnt out and I knew a few of my friends, like myself, were feeling stuck. So the song is really about taking time for yourself, allowing yourself to take a break… I was thinking about going away to Barcelona or somewhere where I could just chill.
It was quite a weird coincidence that it came out mid pandemic. Even though people couldn’t get away literally, collectively we needed a break from something, it was just a very overwhelming time. So the song kinda felt like it was a reminder to take some time to yourself in amongst it all. I feel like we hear that message a lot of the time, which is important, but it takes some time to actually properly realise it.
Do you have a structure/process when it comes to writing music?
No, not really!! Usually I have a bunch of little voice notes that I’ll go back to for inspiration or when I’m writing with other artists we just start from scratch or one of us will have an idea to work with. I don’t always have a set time to write, sometimes it’ll be a couple hours sometimes I’ll spend the whole day! All I know is I drink a lot of hot drinks during the process!
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Who do you look up to musically? Is there anyone you would love to collaborate with on a track?
I’ve always looked up to artists like Laura Mvula and Stevie Wonder. I’ve been inspired by lots of different people from different genres as I’ve developed my own sound. More recently I’ve loved listening to Rina Sawayama, I’m so inspired by their versatility and creativity.
Collaboration wise, I’d love to do a track with Tyler the Creator. If I’m being honest, I do think it would be a banger!
As we come to the end of 2021, can you tell us what has been the best moment of the year and what you’re most looking forward to in 2022? Any insider news you can share with us?
A highlight for me was my first headline gig in London. Obviously over the years I’ve performed a lot but this time people came specifically to see me. It’s was such a beautiful night, I felt so energised by the audience and it was so nice to play with a live band again after 18 months. Also I hadn’t been able to perform both of my EP’s properly in a gig like setting until then!
I have some very very exciting gigs lined up for 2022, that I can’t be too specific about right now but I am buzzing for them! I’m just looking forward to gigging all the time. Also I’ve just recently signed to a record label so I’m so so ready to just basically write.. a lot!
Ruti’s top 5 tracks:
Daddy by Intrnet Boyfriend
It’s an absolute tune! I’ve been following him for a while and just love everything they release.
Church Girl by Laura Mvula
She brought out an album this year that’s just beautiful. This is one of my many favourites from the album. It’s probably the one I dance the most to in my kitchen.
Let me go by SAULT
It’s a song that was recommended to me on Spotify. It played for like 10 secs and I just instantly added it to my liked songs.
Adventures in the land of music by Dynasty
I play this song everyday! This is the best song ever
Comme Des Garçon (like the boys) by Rina Sawayama
I just wanna dance to this in the club so bad. And I’m obsessed with the album it’s on, I definitely recommend listening to the whole project!
Check out Ruti’s playlist below on Spotify.
Cover image credits: Henry James & Amina Humphreys
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