Nuha Ruby Ra

Musician — London

01Profile

A Nuha Ruby Ra Photo

03Interview

Photo by Maxine Imbert

Name, where are you from?
Nuha Ruby Ra, I’m from London.

Describe your style in three words?
Spontaneous, DIY, dramatic.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Tough one, I’ll say one is definitely Death Grips at Village Underground.
When I walked in there were some incredible pure DG soundscapes playing really loud, no support bands, I just entered into their world from walking in the door then had a very visceral ride. Also watching Zach Hill play the drums is a great life experience.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
The Birthday Party and Add N To X. Neither bands exist now and I adore them so let’s bring 'em back! They’ve both also really influenced my music-making. 

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Post-punk and free jazz. The freedom and painting outside the lines of what’s technically correct in both excites me.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
The '70s incarnation of the band Goblin. Cheating a bit 'cos there's four of them but let me off. I’d get all their tips on film scoring then get them a bit drunk so they don’t notice an hour had passed then have a jam.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
The Roundhouse in London is up there. I’ve not played it but every time I go to a show there, it feels like going to a “proper” concert and I’m all goosebumpy fourteen-year-old level of excited. I love the layout. Feels like an enormous huddle around an artist or band you love.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Delia Derbyshire. She’s the ultimate unsung hero of an entire genre of music. One of the most inspiring pioneers of electronic music. I firmly believe if she was a man she’d be far better known and celebrated.


Nuha Ruby Ra released her new EP 'How To Move' on 5th March 2021. Listen, purchase or stream it via ffm.to/nuharubyra-howtomove-ep.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Milk' by Garbage.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Hey' by Pixies.

One record you would keep forever?
'Another Green World' by Brian Eno.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“You’ve got to just keep on pushing, keep on pushing, push the sky away”

From 'Push The Sky Away' by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'La Sirena' by Andrew Weatherall.

A song you wished you had written?
'Avalanche' by Leonard Cohen.

Best song to turn up loud?
'A History Of Bad Men' by Melvins.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Flowers' by Sweet Female Attitude, love a bit of classic UK garage.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'It’s My House' by Diana Ross, I live in a big warehouse and we’ve always put on my favourite parties. At the end of the night my housemates, a few of our best friends and me would still be up till forever so this is probably most fitting.

Any new music you are listening to?
The Romance of Baba Loco, who’s a good friend of mine, just released an awesome debut album called 'Cling Clang for Funk Monkeys' on Faith & Industry. Also Yore, another good buddy released his self-titled debut album on Flat Five Records. Both definitely worth a good listen to asap!

03Interview

Photo by Maxine Imbert

Name, where are you from?
Nuha Ruby Ra, I’m from London.

Describe your style in three words?
Spontaneous, DIY, dramatic.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Tough one, I’ll say one is definitely Death Grips at Village Underground.
When I walked in there were some incredible pure DG soundscapes playing really loud, no support bands, I just entered into their world from walking in the door then had a very visceral ride. Also watching Zach Hill play the drums is a great life experience.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
The Birthday Party and Add N To X. Neither bands exist now and I adore them so let’s bring 'em back! They’ve both also really influenced my music-making. 

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Post-punk and free jazz. The freedom and painting outside the lines of what’s technically correct in both excites me.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
The '70s incarnation of the band Goblin. Cheating a bit 'cos there's four of them but let me off. I’d get all their tips on film scoring then get them a bit drunk so they don’t notice an hour had passed then have a jam.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
The Roundhouse in London is up there. I’ve not played it but every time I go to a show there, it feels like going to a “proper” concert and I’m all goosebumpy fourteen-year-old level of excited. I love the layout. Feels like an enormous huddle around an artist or band you love.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Delia Derbyshire. She’s the ultimate unsung hero of an entire genre of music. One of the most inspiring pioneers of electronic music. I firmly believe if she was a man she’d be far better known and celebrated.


Nuha Ruby Ra released her new EP 'How To Move' on 5th March 2021. Listen, purchase or stream it via ffm.to/nuharubyra-howtomove-ep.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Milk' by Garbage.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Hey' by Pixies.

One record you would keep forever?
'Another Green World' by Brian Eno.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“You’ve got to just keep on pushing, keep on pushing, push the sky away”

From 'Push The Sky Away' by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'La Sirena' by Andrew Weatherall.

A song you wished you had written?
'Avalanche' by Leonard Cohen.

Best song to turn up loud?
'A History Of Bad Men' by Melvins.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Flowers' by Sweet Female Attitude, love a bit of classic UK garage.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'It’s My House' by Diana Ross, I live in a big warehouse and we’ve always put on my favourite parties. At the end of the night my housemates, a few of our best friends and me would still be up till forever so this is probably most fitting.

Any new music you are listening to?
The Romance of Baba Loco, who’s a good friend of mine, just released an awesome debut album called 'Cling Clang for Funk Monkeys' on Faith & Industry. Also Yore, another good buddy released his self-titled debut album on Flat Five Records. Both definitely worth a good listen to asap!

 

05Videos

Nuha Ruby Ra | Sparky (2021)

Nuha Ruby Ra | Run Run (2021)