With a major change in her perspective on music, Ruby the newbie sounds modest with her work. She has surmounted vocal barriers, is hopeful about the evolution of rock and roll and is expected to shine more in future as a prolific musician

vocalist

Ruby Bouzioti 🇬🇷

What does it take to be a successful musician? And what’s considered success in music?

To be honest, I do not see myself as a successful musician but as a hard working person. Success means different things to each one out there. For some people it is money or fame and for others it is doing what their hearts truly desire. So, I cannot give you a clear answer about that. Maybe true success is whatever makes someone happy.

What are your dreams in your musical career?

To make lots of material and someday to sing in a band with beautiful music I guess. I don’t know if that’s a dream too far but dreaming is what keeps everyone going these days, is it not?

Do you rehearse your stage movements apart from rehearsing the music before a concert?

No, I don’t really. I think it’s a bit cringy but I’m singing a lot in front of my mirror doing all kinds of stupid shit. This is not really called “rehearsing my stage moves”. It’s more like drying my hair with style!

Do you have a daily regimen in music learning?

Unfortunately, because of my everyday job, I don’t have much time to practice everyday but I’m doing my best to do it as often as possible. I’m always trying to learn new things or experiment with my voice though.

How has your music taste changed over these years?

My music taste changed a lot throughout the years to be honest. I started listening to metal music in high school and I was pretty “blindsided” by that. I didn’t want to listen to anything else but growing up, I found out that the true beauty of music is to be able to appreciate it in most of its forms, because it gives you a better perspective of it. So I started listening to more metal genres and more various music genres. It helped me to make my voice what it is today.

“Sometimes all an artist needs is a little push [from fans] and for that I am more than grateful.„

How long have you been involved with music?

Several years. Kids choir at the age of 13 and my first cover on YouTube was only 4 years ago. Then I joined a few bands on the way, had collaborations with a lot of artists but to be honest, I still feel like a newbie. Ruby the newbie!

Do you play for any bands? Who? Did you join/form them?

Right now I don’t. I have a few projects of my own that are pending due to the virus situation. Hopefully there will be something new very soon.

Have you composed any songs/albums?

RUBY

There are people helping me out with the composition. Yes, there are a few things composed but a lot of work needs to be done.

Tell us about your favorite musicians/bands.

My favorite bands are Septic Flesh, Draconian, Wolfheart and Nightwish. My favorite artists are Tarja Turunen, Tuomas Saukkonen and Myrkur’s Amalie Bruun. All of them do what they want to do in music and I admire that.

How do you get inspired to make music?

By pretty much everything.

“The future is certainly bright for the “extreme sound”„

How do you see your audience? What do you wanna tell them and what do you expect from them?

The fact that they are being so supportive is more than I could ever hope for. There is no expectation. They help me keep going. Sometimes all an artist needs is a little push and for that I am more than grateful.

Where do you think rock n’ roll is today and where is it going?

I don’t think that rock or metal is a marginalized genre anymore. It’s not mainstream either but the world's point of view towards it has changed a lot. It’s not what it used to be in the ‘90s for example and it’s evolving throughout years. The future is certainly bright for the “extreme sound” I guess, I don’t know what could go south but evolution is what kept the genre going I guess.

What are some of the challenges as a musician, especially a female musician?

I’ve been facing a lot of challenges such as people making me change my voice to fit their expectations and standards, but later on, I realized that their opinion was rather insulting. Besides, I’ve been offered to be used as a “gimmick” in a music project which is unacceptable to me, let alone changing my style and voice. This insecurity on my voice has always been an issue even since childhood, but I have changed my thinking which is better now. Music [rock n roll] is for everyone, not just men. Respect is to be earned and a lot of ladies out there have earned it. I don’t know if all female musicians out there have faced the same difficulties as I have and I am mostly speaking for myself here.

When and where were you born and raised?

I was born in Diakopto, Greece on 30 of March, 1993.

Apart from music, what studies and jobs do you have or have had in the past?

It’s not something impressive really. But I’ve been a hairdresser, in sports shoe store sales, waitress, and back then when I was taking other classes, a cleaner and a babysitter and lots of farming work on countryside lands.

What are some of your hobbies (obviously apart from music)?

Acting and working out. I used to be an actress for almost 3 years. I had a few seminars about that in the past. I used to work out but, as I said, no time for that now.

How did you discover your musical talent and passion?

It came out as naturally as breathing. I always loved singing and I just found out that I was good at it. It was impressive more than anything else, so I decided to follow it.

Is/was choosing music as a career scary?

Maybe it is but if an opportunity comes up, I will follow it without second thoughts. I mean, it’s what everyone dreams about, right?

What’s your favorite music documentary that you’d recommend?

I’d recommend “Bohemian Rhapsody” though it’s not a documentary.

What bands or solo musicians have you been listening to this year?

This year I’ve been listening to “On Thorns I Lay” a lot. It’s a Greek doom death metal band and they recently released their latest album. I also listen to Avi Kaplan. Let me explain a few things about him. He used to be the bass singer of Pentatonix but he went solo and his music is soothing my soul and eases my mind. It’s not metal, but it’s worth every second of your time.