aaamusic | On 15, Nov 2010

AAAMusic: When did you decide that you wanted to write songs?

Ruari Joseph: I started writing songs as soon as I’d learnt a few chords on the guitar.  Certainly not songs I’ll be releasing anytime soon, but for me I got the most satisfaction out of making stuff up.  It was a good emotional outlet for a teenager to have!

AAAMusic:  How do you react to being referred to as “the British Jack Johnson?” Do you think that’s a fair comparison and how would you describe your sound?

RJ: I don’t see much of a similarity between us, other than the fact we both sing and play the guitar and live quite close to the sea, but that could be said about a lot of people.  In all honesty, I’d never heard his music until someone said I was the British version so checked it out.  Very nice, but I couldn’t see the comparison.  Our styles and sounds are very different.  I actually think the comparison was made before I even had a record out!

AAAMusic: Do you have a particular process for song writing or do your ideas progress without a tried and tested method?

RJ: No one way works better than another.  It’s the idea that comes first which could be any number of things from the title, to the vibe, lyrics, music, melody, whatever.  The most exciting songs are the ones that seems to come from nowhere, like writing on instinct.

AAAMusic:  What would you describe as your inspiration?

RJ: I guess I write about people mostly, the finer details and idiosyncrasies that make us individual and fascinating.  But I don’t sit down and twiddle my moustache about people’s lives, writing is just something that I’ve always done and so sometimes it’s not until later you realise what things are about.

AAAMusic: Do you think the great south west has had an influence on your music?

RJ: It must have to some extent, but that’s more to do with the fact that it’s where I live for now.  The space to breathe creatively is great down here but then there are times when what you need is the chaos of a city to bring out your ideas.  I certainly wouldn’t want to associate my song writing with one particular place, though for now it’s where I am and I love it.

AAAMusic:  You are about to undertake a pretty lengthy tour; is touring something that you enjoy and how do you think it compares to a studio setting?

RJ: If you tour with the right people it can be the best thing in the world to do.  It’s so important to get that right else it can be the opposite…a total depression!

AAAMusic:  Do you have any particular highlights from your career so far?

RJ: Selling out the Falmouth Pavilion off my own back was a real achievement.

AAAMusic:  What’s next for you?

RJ: Tour, sleep, write, tour, sleep I reckon sounds good.

Ruarri’s new album “Shoulder To The Wheel” is out now and you can catch him on tour in the UK over the next few weeks. For more info go to http://www.ruarrijoseph.co.uk/

Author: Josie Payne