Mike Ruby is a Canadian singer songwriter from Toronto with a story that’s far from ordinary. Mike moved to New York at 19 to pursue a career in jazz as a sax player, receiving a full scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music. That education and exposure gave him a unique sense of musicianship that shines through his melodic writing to this day.
What is the best advice you have been given?
Follow your heart. Cheesy, corny, cliche, all of the above? Yes. But the most powerful. It was told to me by someone near and dear who I lost shortly thereafter. A sub-clause of this rule is to set yourself up for a backup plan, but always go into what you love wholeheartedly.
What is your creative process like?
I would say the driving factor is derived from the lyrics. I have pages of them, and then pages of “content” or “titles”, all of which I jot down during the day when I’m traveling, and even when I am sleeping (on paper next to the bed). The lyrics I write tend to be literal and come from life experience. The content and titles that I jot down are stories and parts of my life that are meaningful, and therefore worthy of writing a song about.
In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition? What is the secret to making yourself noticed?
These days, the long road is the short one. Stay the course and put out TONS of content. Build don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and be your own biggest fan (you have to be at first!) but just keep creating. If you push yourself hard enough, and for long enough, something is bound to happen.
Are you planning any videos for your music?
Hard yes. I might just have a music video for every release from this EP (true story)
If we were to look at the artists you are listening to, who would be on your playlist?
A whole mixed bag. Artists I listen to when I am in the gym are very different from artists I listen to when I am traveling, which are also very different from artists I listen to with friends. Personally, when I am listening alone, though, there are common threads. I gravitate towards writers with clever lyrics, and who know how to craft mundane material in creative, fresh, and concise ways. To answer the question directly, excluding the gym and parties, they’d be Jon Bellion, LANY, Gabrielle Aplin, JP Saxe, Taylor Swift (shh), Kendrick Lamar, John Mayer (the early days)
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I could write an essay, but the high level takeaways would be 1. We shouldn’t continue supporting individuals who are abusive and continue to be that way. I’m not sure how Chris Brown continues to be at the top of the charts, but I don’t think it’s OK to tolerate this type of behavior in any way, shape, or form. 2. Gatekeepers. This also exists, particularly in radio. I think the advent of DSPs is chipping away at the discrepancy, but there should be programs that give younger artists a chance, and these are dissipating. 3. Professionalism. If someone writes you an email, be kind. Write back. Those I look up to most have done this to nearly everyone who writes them (or hires a team to do so if they’re unable). Emails aren’t always what people want to hear but having that feedback of “this isn’t what we’re looking for” or something along those lines, ideally more descriptive, is a much better response than none at all. Overall takeaway – because the industry is so unregulated, participants should take on more responsibility to act ethically, and do the right thing.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
Stranger Things. Or at least that’s what I remember because it was by far one of my favorite and most fun TV shows to watch of this decade thus far (I will forgive them for season 3)
What historical figure would you love to see in 21st century life?
Would be awesome to see Louis Armstrong perform live (although I’m not sure we can classify him as a historical figure?)
Would you rather be the one in a movie who gets the hero/heroine or the baddie with all the good lines?
The hero. Boring, I know.
If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be?
How big was the AI boom, and did the bubble burst?
Which is cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
Do I even have to answer this? Dinosaurs. All day every day.
Mike released his debut EP in 2020 with over 5 million streams, including the hit single “Close” which landed at #40 on the Billboard Chart. After lots of time in the studio, Mike is releasing his anticipated second EP this fall. He is leading the charge with an upbeat single “girls that aren’t my girlfriend”, produced and co-written with David Arkwrite in LA. Content? Post breakup song gone right. Music? Think 2023 pop vocals and production meet a driving 80’s synth chorus.
Stream girls that aren’t my girlfriend here https://bfan.link/girls-that-aren-t-my-girlfriend