Ruthven Announces Debut Album ‘Rough & Ready’ | News

South London artist Ruthven (actual title Sean Nelson) has introduced his debut album, ‘Tough & Prepared’, out October twenty second through Paul Institute/XL Recordings.

Coinciding with the album announcement Ruthven has shared the album’s first single, ‘I Can’t Go There‘, alongside a self-directed video, made in collaboration together with his spouse Francesca Nelson and shot by Josh Renaut.

“‘I Can’t Go There’ is a little bit of a “will they, received’t they” love story,” Ruthven shares. “The tune of the tune has a very enjoyable vitality to it however there’s a barely colder message that runs by way of the lyrics. I needed the video to replicate this juxtaposition. I labored carefully with my spouse, Francesca, on the creation of the video. She’s a inventive herself and this was the primary time we’ve accomplished a joint mission like this collectively. Wonderful collaborative vitality all through. I turned practically as obsessive with placing this video collectively as I do once I’m creating music.”

Ruthven is synonymous with the Paul Institute, a label and inventive incubator based by Jai and A.Ok Paul. In between shifts on the London Fireplace Brigade, Ruthven wrote the foundations of ‘Tough & Prepared’, a play on how Ruthven is pronounced – “Tough’n”. Throughout the 12-track mission, the singer leans into traditional songwriting tropes while mapping out a retro-futurist sound.

Of the his debut full-length, Ruthven says: “A central theme to the album is playfulness. So many genres impressed me in making this album. It’s partly jazz-influenced however I used to be profoundly impressed by Prince. That period, together with yacht rock artists like Michael McDonald and Steely Dan, deeply influenced me. I admired their songwriting and musicianship, which appeared universally recognised as distinctive. Being a former marriage ceremony band musician, I all the time puzzled how their music had a timelessness to it, and that’s what I attempted to seize right here.“

He continues: “Some songs on the album, like ‘Don’t Maintain It to Your self’, have been initially an upbeat funk tune, nevertheless it has developed. Sadly, I misplaced a lot of my early materials, pushing me to create even stronger work. I discovered working with Anup (A.Ok. Paul) was useful. We might crack up within the studio over a few of our selections, the musical segues, and prospers. That infectious enjoyable vitality turned a core element of the album, a reminder that music ought to all the time be enjoyable.“

Ruthven will carry out his debut headline present at Peckham Audio on October twenty fifth. Tickets go on sale on Friday August twenty third. For extra data or to purchase tickets, go to ruthvenready.com.

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Photograph Credit score: Francesca Nelson