Convo With Ruby Waters

Canadian singer-songwriter Ruby Waters was born on July 20, 1997. Waters was raised in Shelburne, Ontario, and is of Métis and Slovak descent.

She gained notoriety after a Reddit user posted a video of her singing her debut track, “Sweet Sublime,” online.

Before releasing her debut EP, Almost Naked, she followed up with the songs “Supernatural” and “Last Cigarette” and performed as City and Colour’s opening act on his 2019 tour.

In 2020, she published If It Comes Down to It, her second EP. She appeared on the artist DillanPonders’ song “Jungle” that same year.

In CBC Music’s year-end 2021 rankings, her track “Blow,” which was released that year, was ranked as the 29th best Canadian song of the year. She performed at the “Get Together” edition of the Osheaga Festival in October 2021.

If It Comes Down to It earned her a nomination for a Juno Award in the category of Alternative Album of the Year at the 2022 Juno Awards.

Recently, she released a new track titled “Open Arms.” We got the opportunity to speak with her about the song and her musical career.

1- Where did you come from, where are you based now, and why? 

I’m from Shelburne ON and I spent half my time in Chapeau Quebec when I was a little kid. I’ve been bouncing between Ontario and B.C. for years now, but mostly based out of Toronto! Super stoked to be moving back to Whistler this winter for the season. 

2- What is your favorite thing about Ontario?

My favourite thing about Ontario has got to be the people and the memories. This province, all different parts of it, definitely shaped me in many ways. Family, friends, parties, and almost all of my first time experiences. Northern Ontario is also fucking beautiful! 

3- When did you begin your musical career?

I started singing as soon as I could talk, and I kinda always knew that I wasn’t ever gonna stop. I didn’t really consider music a full time career until I started busking when I was 12 and I was like, oh shit, I could make a couple bucks off this, eh? 

It’s been interesting to see it all transform over the years. I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful to have my passion turn out to be my full time career, but it’s also been quite the balancing act to not get too ost in the sauce. I like to keep the industry and the business side of things very seperate and far away from my emotions, my heart, the way I live, and the way I write my tunes.

4- What is the message behind Open Arms?

Open arms is really just about shamelessly going through life. It isn’t always easy, and everyones pain and coping mechanisms are totally subjective. Trying to give the message to just be yourself even if you don’t know who that is, and do your best to keep on keeping on!

5- How receiving a Juno Award nomination affected your musical career, in your opinion?

The Juno nomination was really dope and unexpected! I wouldn’t say that it affected my career too much in the sense that I’m just going about life the same as I was before the nomination. All in all, I am very thankful for it, and to see my music being recognized is rewarding for sho. 

6- What’s the biggest gig you’ve ever played?

Super hard question! Totally depends on what you mean when you say “big” show. All shows are big! I’d say one of the most impactful shows so far was the mod club (now called axis club) show I played a year ago. I felt the support fill the room and I was so overwhelmed with love. 

7- Who are your biggest influences?

My biggest influences are all over the map like I could never ever even pick 10 people let alone only a few. Kurt Cobain was a huge influence, as well as Rihanna. Like the rest of us, I love Amy Winehouse, and I relate super hard to her no fucks given attitude and I truly think it’s something to be praised.

This year I’ve listened to a lot of 99 neighbours, Benjamin Tod, it looks sad., Doja Cat, Subtronics, Mazzy Star, Channel Tres, Still Woozy, Magi Merlin, Myst Milano, aaand the list goes on and on and on I dunno hahaha. I’m influenced by everything! I love all music. 

8- How does your creative process work?

I really don’t even fuckin know anymore. It just kinda happens when it happens. The more I force it, the more forced it feels. I like to just vibe and keep everything including day-to-day life as organic as possible. Dream stateeee baby!

9- If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

I’d love to open for Post Malone one day. OU or Princess Nokia. I could list a hundred people but imma just leave that there.

10- What is next for Ruby Waters? 

Lotssss of fucking shows and lots of new music! Staying sane! Staying lit! Stay tuned!