Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Velle.
Hi Ruby, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Music has always resonated with me deeply. From listening to vinyl on my uncles’ turntables to recording my first cover in his basement at 16 years old, I knew my future would be a musical one. Being in choir in high school was a great way for me to find my voice and know what I didn’t want. I was a soprano only and longed to have a wider range, so this began my lifelong practice of learning from contrast. I was influenced by so many artists, but none connected with me the way Brandon Boyd of Incubus and Ani Difranco could. Their influence on me spanned more than just new vocal abilities- they were true artists, activists, philanthropist, writers, dreamers, entrepreneurs and change makers. I’m so grateful for the light they both shine because it helped light the way for me to become a multi-talented creative being. Because of their expansion deep connection to humanity and spirituality, I began exploring metaphysics, Buddhism, more of my Indian roots and dove into listening to all kinds of music.
I continued writing – journaling, poetry and always keeping my voice trained but largely to myself. It was around my junior year in college at UF that fate caught up with me- I was asked to audition for a soul band that was on its second iteration and needed a female vocalist. I decided not only to try out but to immerse myself in the world of making soul music and began writing my first songs as said frontwoman/co-founder of Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics at the age of 21. The feeling of being on stage, singing songs I had written as poems with a full band.. let’s just say I couldn’t get enough. We are now in our 16th year as a band and have played some of the most prestigious venues in the country, all as an independent, conscious outfit that likes to “make you move AND make you think.”
But writing, singing and making music were never the full picture for me – I always wanted to play instruments, create artwork, give back and see if I could make a positive impact on my community through sound. This led me to art school for design, and additional career as a UX designer and finally to pick up guitar and learn all I could about sound healing.
Being able to blend my ability to connect deeply with music and share an energy exchange with an audience has taught me so much about how we as people benefit from sound vibration, lyrics, mantra and music.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m not sure what artist has had a smooth road, mine has been a pretty bumpy one but I tend to learn through the contrast. Also without these challenges, many of our/my songs wouldn’t exist.
Some of the struggles came par for the course of music making – learning to love my voice enough to help it evolve, learning how not to use alcohol as a confidence booster on stage, and learning how to play instruments while singing.
Some challenges came from being the only woman co-founder and leader of my band – lacking the confidence, for many years, to stick up for myself and know my worth, to contribute in more ways than writing and creative, and to have a say in co-productions, mixing and instrumentation. I’ve grown so much here, and it’s in part due to my manager, Kristin Juel, who opened my eyes to what I’m capable of as a multi-disciplinary artist. Also grateful to a few longtime bandmates who I consider brothers and true allies.
Then there have been countless challenges present in the decision to stay independent as a writer and musician. I learned that small labels can act as shady as the large ones and that the best contract for writers is one that keeps your rights in your hands. My manager and I spent almost a decade fighting for the rights to some of my music and I’m happy to say I came through those challenges with a better understanding of human nature, way less naiveté as a business leader, as well as the rights fully back in my hand.
Finally, I battled depression and was diagnosed with adult ADHD along the way, and credit my manager, my husband and both sets of parents for helping me seek the guidance I needed to pull through to brighter days. Learning from these contrasts has helped me to build a strong spiritual practice that has brought many realizations and life lessons that I remain grateful for.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I express, help to process and channel all matters of heart and soul. This work is primarily through many years of making conscious music, being a mystic messenger, and recently becoming a mother and a sound healing ceremonialist.
I’ve been most known for being a powerhouse performer as frontwoman of Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics, a soul band I helped to create 16 years ago that focuses on classic era vibes and conscious lyricism. I always say we like to make you move and make you think.
Recently, I’m most proud of my work daily as a mother and wife. Since slowing down our touring due to pandemic, I’ve been enamored with the simple home life. Maybe having routines for the first time in many years has allowed me to thrive, or maybe it was just time for my next chapter of devoting my life to more than music. I’m in awe of parenthood and my daughter – she has taught me so much in just six months!
Additionally, advocating for womxn and children is a path I’m walking that makes me proud – through headlining and speaking at the Sacramento Women’s March in 2018 and by volunteering for just under a decade with my local Atlanta chapter of Girls Rock Camp. Also notable for me in my efforts to advocate for minority groups is our band performance headlining at the Smithsonian Museum in DC for an event called “America Now,” that brought to the spotlight the powerful impact of immigrant music makers.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Since I’ve had several careers spin off from music making, including design, I do have a more than necessary collection of apps that help me in my day to day. I would say most used would be Notion, Google Cal, and Oura (connected to a wearable ring device that helps me track my sleep.) I also have written every song I’ve ever put out using Evernote – because of how easy it is to record snippets of ideas while I’m writing and because I can sync it across many devices.
As far as books go, there have been too many to mention here but some notable are: The Alchemist and The Archer by Paulo Coelho, Many Lives Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss, What to do when it’s your Turn by Seth Godin, Pigs in Heaven and the Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, Inner Engineering by Sadhguru, Zen Guitar by Philip Toshio Sudo.
Currently we are working on our third studio album and it’s a special production for me because my husband Alex Morgan has joined forces with us to co-create, produce and contribute to the albums sonic success
Contact Info:
- Website: rubyvelleandthesoulphonics.com and rubyvellemusic.com
- Instagram: rubyvelle and rubyvelleandthesoulphonics
- Facebook: rubyvellemusic
- Twitter: rubyvelle and rubyvelleandthesoulphonics
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RubyVelleSoulphonics
Image Credits:
Elaine Torres Arthur Lang
