The London based singer-songwriter has released three singles, ‘Simple Message’, ‘Some Time’ and most recently ‘Curtains’. In conversation with Ruby, the singer recounted how the story behind the song shaped the way in which the track was produced.
Ruby said “It was post-breakup […] out of habit I opened the window at certain times of day […] and it was freezing”. This seemingly ordinary action suddenly brought back memories of opening the curtains with her ex-girlfriend. After jotting down the lyric, the song became a testimony to how whilst loved ones may leave, their habits can stay with us.
The track begins with Ruby singing the lyric that started it all: ‘opened a window, letting the breeze in/ before realising it’s actually freezing’. The picked acoustic guitar line, with a touch of ambient white noise gives the song an intimate bedroom pop feel. Softly sung and close miched, the vocal line is almost spoken in parts, as if the song is verbalising a passing train of thought. The production is purposefully sparse, as Ruby said, so you can “hear every breath… like I’m right there singing to someone”. A light, high piano line drifts over the final verse, and the texture is padded out with simple floating harmonies; besides from this the mix remains predominantly acoustic. The line ‘I’m keeping you around’ is present in both verses, reinforcing the unusual ways in which relationships linger. The intimate production not only forefronts the vulnerable and honest lyrics but makes us feel as if we as listeners were present in this specific, personal experience central to Ruby’s past relationship.
Ruby said that ‘Curtains’ has determined that music is the career path she feels destined for: “this time I’m like, this is what I love to do”. This single marks the beginning of a larger body of work: Ruby has an EP coming out in April titled ‘Things She Left Behind’. We look forward to what ‘Curtains’ has initiated for Ruby Vectra.
You can see Ruby Vectra live at The Gladstone Arms in Borough, London, on 12th March.


