A Chat With Ruby Joyce Following New Single: \’Boy Pitch\’

Hailing from Manchester, Ruby Joyce brings modern youth culture in a new digestible take of dream pop and shoegaze rhythm. Inspired by the likes of The Smiths, The Sundays, Alvvays and Holly Humberstone, Ruby normalises the vulnerabilities of insecurity, body-image, and the helplessness found in observing her closest friends’ mental health. A journey that proves emotive, the artist has defined her almost neo-soul sound with anticipated release: ‘BOY PITCH’.

“Treading the line between specificity and relatability is an art, and Joyce does it well†– The Luna Collective

Can you tell me a bit about Ruby Joyce?

It’s a project I started at 15 that’s evolved a lot over time. I’m combining years of listening to mainstream indie rock (the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Blossoms, Nothing But Thieves, etc), with dreamier pop influences (such as Holly Humberstone and Men I Trust), with a more recent discovery of shoegaze (think my bloody valentine and Cocteau Twins). My lyrical writing style is similar to plastering diary entries on a billboard. 

What was the last song you listened to?

So Real – Jeff Buckley. My favourite song from the Grace album. 

How is your local live music scene – and are there any exciting artists you recommend? 

I’m based in Manchester and can confidently say the music scene is thriving. I can’t rave enough about DieKaiDie, Vacant Weekend, Dove Ellis and Yasmin Coe. 

Within the genre of shoe-gaze and dream-pop, who’s your dream collaboration?

I’ve been obsessed with NewDad for a year now. I’d absolutely love to support them at a show. A recent discovery of mine is Etta Marcus and I can’t get enough of her voice – I also love her almost gruesome lyrical style. Co-writing with her would be a dream. 

If you weren’t a musician, how do you think your life would be different?

It would be different in every way. I think I’d be a completely different person. I’d most likely be much less gobby, because I wouldn’t have learned the overzealous confidence that being on a stage gives you. So there might be positives to it. 

FOLLOW RUBY

Backed by a band of highly accomplished musicians, Ruby’s live performance captivates with “spellbinding vocals” and “sultry, emotional records with an unwavering intrigue”. After being featured on The Voice UK, shortlisted for Truck Festival 2022, supporting Eva Lazarus at YES Manchester on the Brandy Kisses tour, Oculate UK states that “it seems clear… Ruby Joyce is a name that will become familiar to many”.