Ruby My Dear: A Standout Artist In the Underground Breakcore Scene
If you've ever heard a breakcore set or song in your life, you probably remember it. Whether you enjoyed it or not, it's not a sound that leaves someone feeling indifferent about it. Ruby My Dear is one of the few active and definitely most interesting breakcore producers out there today.
We had the chance to sit down with him for a conversation about his influences, the state of breakcore, and his experience with streaming services throughout his career.
Interview
What state do you think the current breakcore scene is in? Many people say that it was disbanded some time ago and that nowadays only the ones that survived the “massacre” are left. Do you think that there is still interesting breakcore out there? Is there any pattern in the direction that the producers that were doing breakcore about 8 years ago have taken?
Right now, the breakcore scene is in England, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Bristol is the city where breakcore is played every weekend. A producer who has never played over there has no idea what a good party is (joke).
Absolutely, the scene is very underrepresented. But it's totally normal because it's underground music that can't really become something else like dubstep or drum and bass. I have only been interested in this type of music for the last 7 or 8 years. I got into it because of the album Venetian Snares Rossz Csillag Alatt Született which is a perfect introduction to the genre.
One can appreciate the influence of contrasting styles within your music. Is there any particular genre or artist that inspires you more than others for composing? Is there a particular type of music that on the face of it has nothing to do with breakcore, but flows naturally in the moment when you put it together?
I listen to all music with soul. No genre in particular. All I can say is that I don't listen to electro swing. In terms of composition, it can come from many things: music I hear on the radio, or a moment in front of a piano where I look to create a universe from whatever emerges. This universe must be in harmony with the overall theme.
Do you use hardware to produce or is it all software-based? If you use hardware, which machines do you use, and which ones are your favorites?
I started a modular system and I put together an ssl compressor and an EQ pultec. It really helps me with mixing.
Before you started producing electronic music you used to play in bands. If you had enough time and resources now, would you play an instrument in a band?
I'd really love to be able to play many musical instruments. If I had to choose one, it would be the drums. Something about the physicality of playing drums really works for me.
If so, which one and which style would you like to play most?
Noise rock and of course electro swing.
If you could choose, without regard to genres or periods, which is the artist that you'd like most to work together with?
Evelyne Thomas
If you only had the chance to play in just 3 clubs or festivals, which ones would they be?
I have no idea. I don't really know enough to know where the best place to play is. For example, when I played at the Berghain, I didn't know how much of a reputation the club had. I discovered it little by little when I would talk to people about it. My fondest festival memories are from Fusion in Germany.
Which ones are would like to never play again?
I played once in a village festival close to where I live in the south-west of France…that is a mistake I will not be making again.
You started producing as Ruby My Dear more or less when streaming became popular. What's your opinion on these kinds of services? Do you think it's a positive development that favors both the artist and listeners? Considering that breakcore is an authentic underground scene, do you see it more as a source of income or more as a way of getting attention and presence/visibility on the internet?
Without the Internet, streaming, and social networks, I would not have made music. I don't know how to promote myself, so for me, it's a good thing. As a listener, I appreciate being able to listen to anything I want in my living room without having to spend any money. So I'm totally for it. And especially for breakcore, which I'm not sure would exist if it weren't for streaming.