Ruby James reveals her new CD Happy Now to the world this week with AOL giving away a free download of her single "The Predictable Kind" today here. Produced by Charlie Sexton, the sophomore release features both Charlie and Will Sexton playing guitar, bass and drums along with Mike Thompson of the Eagles flying in on keyboards. Born out of the "Austin Sessions" that took place over three years, Ruby deems this album her most serendipitous and satisfying effort yet.
How did this Los Angeles native find herself working with Austin music royalty? Ruby James still asks that question. Happy Now is a veritable triumph for a girl who had, just prior, found herself living in a deep artistic depression causing her to give up her musical dream altogether for a time. Ruby James' life would turn upside down in a virtual instant when she ventured off to Texas at the suggestion of a new friend, Matt MacCormack.
Upon hearing Ruby's music, Matt insisted that she would find her true place within the musical landscape of Austin. Mesmerized by what she found there and the people she came to meet, Ruby was introduced to an impressive collective of artists who would generously take her in amongst them, foster her instinctual talent and help her make the record that is Happy Now.
It has been a long road to get here, but with each leg of the journey Ruby found more strength along the way through the consistent support and efforts of those who came to surround her. Happy Now is the follow up to Ruby's 2008 debut album Desert Rose. Her song "Everything Good Goes Away" was featured on the soundtrack for the film The Women, co-produced by Mick Jagger and starring actress Meg Ryan.
Surrounding the release of Happy Now, Ruby James has appeared on CBS TV's We Are Austin Live, with upcoming appearances scheduled for Up Late Austin TV, and the Fox 7 Morning News in Austin with her video in rotation on the ION TV network. Ruby can also be found touring in and around Austin with a CD release party and show at the Continental Club featuring Charlie and Will Sexton playing the songs they helped record, the annual Hot Rods and Honey's show at Mercury Charlie's with the incomparable Rosie Flores. Ruby and Rosie have recently been working together on a batch of new songs, so look for more from the Rosie and Ruby revue in the future.
Through it all Ruby has maintained a weekly residency at Maria's Taco Xpress, The Ruby James' Happy Now Happy Hour that has featured a rotating roster of guest artists including Jake LaBotz, Matt McCormack, Randy Weeks, Suzanna Choffel, Steven Collins from Deadman, Aaron Beavers from Shurman and Jesse Dayton amongst others. Familiar faces in the audience have recently included Raul Malo, Charlie & Will Sexton, Ray Bonneville, The Trishas, Randy Weeks, and members of the band Stonehoney. Ruby recently played the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, several SXSW dates in March, with upcoming dates in Houston, New Orleans and The Florida Music Festival in April, along with Songfest in June and many more dates to be announced shortly.
Check out Ruby's "Singled Out" column this week on Antimusic.com here where she talks about her inspiration for the song "Between Darkness and Light," the catalyst for her return to music.
Tour Dates:
Mar 29 We Are Austin Live TV- CBS @ 4 pm Austin, TX
Mar 30 "Happy Now" Album Release Street Date Everywhere
Apr 2 Austin Bergstrom Airport Austin, TX
Apr 2 Happy Now Happy Hour Maria's Taco Xpress w/ Noelle Hampton Austin, TX
Apr 5 Up Late Austin TV- Local Channel 16 Austin, TX
Apr 6 Cactus Café In-Store Performance @ 5:30 pm Houston, TX
Apr 6 Mucky Duck- CD Release party Houston, TX
Apr 8 Happy Now Happy Hour Maria's Taco Xpress w/ Citizen Band Austin, TX
Apr 11 Hotrods and Honey's Party Austin, TX at Mercury Charlie's With Rosie Flores and Junior Brown. Music starts at 2 pm.
Apr 14 Happy Now Happy Hour Maria's Taco Xpress w/ John Fullbright Austin, TX
Apr 17 Flipnotics
w/ Jess Klein, Idgy Vaughn and Suzanna Choffel Austin, TX
Apr 22-24 Florida Music Festival (details TBA) Orlando, FL
Apr TBA New Orleans (awaiting rescheduled dates)
Apr 27 Fox 7 Morning News Austin, TX
Apr 29 The Continental Club w/ Will & Charlie Sexton Austin, TX
May 21 Private House Concert San Jose, CA
Jun 6-9 Construction Zone-Writers Workshop Sturgeon Bay, WI
Jun10-13 Steel Bridge Songfest w/ Jackson Browne Sturgeon Bay, WI
May 1 Barnes and Noble in-store Dallas, TX
May 15 Barnes and Noble in-store Austin, TX
For further information, live footage, and all things Ruby James, please check out www.rubyjames.com and www.myspace.com/rubyjames. Happy Now is available now at iTunes at http://tinyurl.com/ydhy4kf.