Australian rockers The Rubens will be visiting our to city to perform at Schubas on March 15th in support of their forthcoming record, so we got a hold of the band for a little interview ahead of the show.
This band of brothers worked with Wilder Zoby and Torbitt Schwartz, a pair you may recognize for being 2/3 of the production team behind Run The Jewels, to produce their own project. You can listen to their collaborative track “Million Man” here.
The new album is due for release in early 2018 and follows the platinum-certified, global hit single “Hoops.”
On top of this conversation, we’re also giving away two pairs of tickets, so make sure to enter that to see The Rubens in Chicago on us! Enter HERE.
Scroll down to read our chat.
First off… When you guys decided on going with the name The Rubens, was there anybody in the group that proposed the idea of doing it like the Ramones & adopting “Ruben” as your last name?
i.e. Elliott Ruben, Zaac Ruben, etc.
No none of us really went that far with the name, I don’t think any of us thought we’d take off and get this far. Quitting our day jobs seemed like an unrealistic dream.
What can you tell us about your forthcoming album?
We started writing for this album probably right after our second album “Hoops” came out. We’d learned in between the first and second albums that things can take time and drag on if you’re not working to make them happen so we got stuck in straight away. The songs aren’t a departure from what we’ve put out before but are definitely an extension of where we’ve been headed. We’ve felt more comfortable embracing our soul and RnB influence with these songs which has been fun to explore. We’re super proud of this one.
You guys are working with Run The Jewels producers/collaborators Wilder Zoby and Little Shalimar on the new record. Even though you all go way back together, what is something you have learned in this album-making experience that you will carry onto future albums?
Well we had only met on a festival tour in 2013 I think, and then bumped into each of them sometimes when we were hanging in New York so we still didn’t know each other all that well when we decided to make this album together. Working together we got to know them both a lot better and learned so much from them in the studio. The work ethic and vibe they bring is something we really appreciated and will continue to aim for with future albums. It was just a good creative time spent with mates.
Three of the Rubens are brothers, and your producers also happen to be brothers. Can you speak to the dynamic of creating music with siblings and what it has been like working with another pair of siblings that also share that instinctive nature for crafting music together?
We haven’t really pursued music without each other so it’s hard to know any different for us. It definitely helps having grown up together when it comes to instinct and opinions in the studio. We share the same tastes and trust each other’s judgements when we’re creating so if someone says something is shit or isn’t working we listen up. And then of course there’s Scotty and Will so it never becomes a weird family-band vibe.
What is your favorite track from the new material you’re set to release?
That’s a real tough one, we’ve been living with these tracks so long that it often changes. We had a last minute addition to the album with a new song that we really love. I can’t say much, but it’s something different for us and we can’t wait for people to hear it. It’ll be the next single we release.
What is the drink of choice while drinking at the bar you own in NY?
We don’t own any bars but Wilder is part owner of Max Fish in NY where we love to hang out. The best drink there is a shot of cheap tequila and a Tecate to chase it down. Fun times.
Any fun bar stories you’re willing to share from that bar or from tour?
Our production manager got spat on by a big weird goth/biker dude in a kebab shop in Wellington the other week. A little bit of a tousle followed and he got clawed in the face by the big goth/biker’s girlfriend which was interesting. We had to leave there without our kebabs which was the biggest tragedy.
You guys have opened for some major acts including Bruce Springsteen, The Black Keys and Grouplove. What have you learned from playing on the same bill as this eclectic list of acts? What are some things you have learned about playing before these very different kinds of audiences?
There’s a real skill some of those big acts have in connecting with their audience, even when it numbers in the tens of thousands, and that’s something we have tried to develop in our own shows. Just being able to put on an engaging and exciting show no matter what room you’re playing to.
The Rubens will be performing in Chicago on March 15th at Schubas. What can fans expect from that show?
Our show is feeling the best it’s ever been right now. Having three albums worth of material means we can really craft the set and make sure it’s high energy, no filler. We’ll be throwing in a bunch of new songs people haven’t ever heard so can’t wait for people to hear them. Can’t wait to play!
POD Giveaway: Win a Pair of Tickets to See The Rubens at Schubas (3/15)
