Interview With Ruby Vectra

Written by: Keyali Mikaela

In the world of indie pop, authenticity and raw emotion are like gold dust, and few artists capture these elements as effortlessly as Ruby Vectra. Hailing from Essex, Ruby's journey into music was sparked by a simple challenge from a family member, igniting a passion that would soon become her driving force.

With her debut EP, "things she left behind," set to make waves in the music scene, Ruby invites us into her world of heartbreak, reflection, and unfiltered expression. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and musical influences like Holly Humberstone and Gracie Abrams, Ruby's sound resonates with listeners on a deeply emotional level.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into Ruby's songwriting process, the emotions behind her music, and her aspirations as an artist. From navigating the challenges of the music industry to finding solace in community and collaboration, Ruby shares insights into her creative journey and the stories behind her soulful melodies.

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Next Wave: What inspired you to start writing music, and how did you develop your sound?

Ruby: I think it was actually a challenge from a family member that kicked this off for me. I had written snippets of text before that, as a way to capture memories and work through some big emotions, but when they suggested trying to write and finish a song for fun, I guess it stuck! Being in a choir has definitely developed my voice, and my sound keeps developing as I keep listening to more artists and their music.

Next Wave: Your debut EP, "things she left behind," sounds deeply personal. Can you share a bit about the emotions and experiences that influenced the songs?

Ruby: All of these songs came out of me after my one real heartbreak, the can’t-get-out-of-bed-or-stop-crying kind. There is definitely overlap between the lyrics across the EP, but each song was sparked either by a specific memory of the relationship, or by a current experience I was going through after the breakup.

Next Wave: You've mentioned artists like Holly Humberstone, Miki Ratsula, and Gracie Abrams as inspirations. How have they influenced your music, and what do you hope listeners take away from your songs?

Ruby: Such a great question! Each of my inspirations use such personal moments to create, but still somehow make songs that listeners relate to and feel seen by, if that makes sense. I want that for my own music, to have listeners take away some comfort and maybe find a kindred spirit in me through my music.

Next Wave: Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you capture those passing thoughts and phrases and turn them into fully-fledged songs?

Ruby: I have lyrics or phrases pop into my head, and when it happens I’ve tried to understand why/where they come from, but it’s inexplicable. They’ll already have a pacing when I write them down, and then melodies are either already there or I draw inspiration from existing songs, either recent listens or my favorite tracks. Then usually, I’ll finish a song a few weeks later, if I’ve developed a verse or chorus enough to feed the general outline into my head.

Next Wave: Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations as an artist? Any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?

Ruby: I’d just love to keep developing a lovely community of fans and fellow artists around me! My true passion is for songwriting, so a big aspiration is to write for a living - we’re working on it! I’ve recently made some lovely songs in co-writing sessions, and am excited to get those pieces polished off so I can share them. I would also just love to participate in more co-writing sessions, I really love the space created in them for people’s emotions and thought processes.

Next Wave: Can you share any memorable moments or challenges you faced while working on your EP or during your journey as an artist? How did you overcome these obstacles?

Ruby: Other than having to work through some complex feelings and confront my emotions head on, I’ve been very fortunate so far in my artist journey. I’ve only committed myself to this relatively recently, after recording the EP in fact! It seems a little backwards, but it was only after creating this body of work that I realized this is truly how I want to spend my time.

Next Wave: You've developed a loyal community of fans and fellow artists. How do you engage with your audience, and what role do they play in shaping your artistic journey?

Ruby: I love to chat with friends, fans, fellow artists whenever I can. More often than not, it’s in person at events around London - I try to make it to as many indie gigs, showcases, songwriting circles as I can. But I’m no stranger to dropping into the DMs too, to start or continue a conversation with people! They shape my journey by giving me feedback on my songs, they’ll encourage the type of content I’ve posted if they like it. Their actions generally give me hope, reassuring me that I’m doing the right thing with my time.

Next Wave: In addition to your musical pursuits, you've been involved in event planning and volunteering. How do you balance these different aspects of your career, and what drives you to contribute to various areas of the music industry?

Ruby: I suppose I haven’t been treating them as different aspects! It just makes sense to me that by supporting fellow artists and events wherever I can, I’m also supporting myself? I’ll always prioritise my songwriting and personal wellbeing, but as long as I have the energy, I love contributing in any way I can.

Next Wave: As an indie artist, navigating the music industry can be challenging. What advice would you give to other independent musicians who are trying to establish themselves in the industry?

Ruby: Cliché-possibly-overused quote coming - stay true to yourself. Don’t try to follow the workflow of another musician, or copy the content of somebody who doesn’t have music like yours. There are so many different aspects of being an independent musician that you have to learn to handle, that you should try things out so you can learn what parts you enjoy, which parts you’re best at. Then (extra advice) go make friends with other independent artists, producers, anyone musical or music industry adjacent. Going to events and chatting to people really is the way to go. Chances are if you put yourself forward before your music, people will respond to your character and want to help you.

Next Wave: "Curtains" received consistent airplay on FutureHits radio, while "habits" caught the attention of tastemaker Jodie Bryant. How does it feel to receive recognition for your work, and how do you handle the pressure of living up to expectations?

Ruby: It’s a little bizarre and honestly feels amazing! I’m super proud of my progress so far, and enjoying the wins as they come. The only expectations I’m usually aware of are my own, and I manage those by switching my mindset. If I’m worrying, I’ll remind myself that the music I share is a gift I’m giving to others, rather than a right they have to what’s in my head. That sounds really intense ha ha, but it helps me stay level-headed when I’m getting tired of, or frustrated with, the promotional side of the industry.

Next Wave: If your music could be the soundtrack to any movie or TV show, which one would you choose, and which scene would your song play in?

Ruby: Another amazing question! Even though I’m through my teens, I think my music fits well into a coming-of-age story, with some romance (and heartbreak, of course) mixed in. Love, Simon is the first film that comes to mind! But you’ll have to watch it and let me know which scenes the songs should play in - there’s too many great ones for me to choose from.