Dubliner Jack Rua has just released his new single, Isolation. We ask him the BIG questions...
Tell us three things about yourself?
1) I have been singing since I was about four-years-old, originally in church choirs, ensembles and music theatre until I got a bit older and started writing my own stuff.
2) I lived in New York City for a year, which is where I began the process of growing up to a point that I could write music that I was incredibly personally connected with. I think in order to discover yourself, you sometimes need to break yourself down to your most basic parts and that's kind of what happened when I moved away. These experiences helped form the basis of my debut mini-album, Narcissus, which is all about my experience of becoming a young queer adult.
3) I'm a big fan of Liverpool FC and have been since I was a kid! I also love playing tennis, although I probably only win about 25% of the games that I play.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe it as pop music, but put in a blender with rock, dance and folk influences, and then consumed by an Aquarian former theatre kid who is obsessed with everything glam! There is a lot going on, but my music at its core is fun and campy while still being seriously emotionally driven.
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Who are your musical inspirations?
I always say my musical gods are Bowie, Gaga, Prince and Madonna. I love boundary-pushing pop acts like Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek, Róisín Murphy, BANKS, Allie X and Christine and the Queens. I also love MARINA, The Beatles, Susanne Sundfør, Laura Marling and Hayley Williams/Paramore.
How did you occupy yourself during the first coronavirus lockdown?
Well, at the start it was mostly with copious amounts of Xbox - Fifa, Skyrim and Dishonoured 2 - but after a while I decided to structure myself better and try to level up some skills. I worked on developing my production and recording skills by doing online courses and practising a lot more. I actually recorded the vocals for my new single Isolation in my bedroom. It has really helped me be more independent and productive with creating demos and finishing off my songs, without having to spend hundreds on studio time.
What's your favourite song right now?
I am contractually obliged to say that my new song Isolation is my favourite - stream it on Spotify now! - but I also am really loving a song called Alapathy by Fenne Lily. I came across her album recently, and it is stunning. I just love the rhythm and melody of that song. There is a part in the chorus where the melody descends and just takes me somewhere that I can't quite describe. It kind of reminds me of Perfect Day by Lou Reed.
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Favourite lyric of all time?
'The almighty scientist says most of the universe is empty and gods don't exist
Well, maybe that's where our love ends up
No holy grail, just an empty cup'
It's from Good Luck Bad Luck by Susanne Sundfør. I think that this song not only speaks to the existential questions that we all ask ourselves when we become adults and realise that the world is a really weird and messed-up place, but it takes it out of that abstract place and makes the feeling deeply personal. I'm sure we've all felt that way about a romance sometimes: disappointed!
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If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Something by Lady Gaga. You really get everything from that woman: the radio friendly hits, art-pop weirdo bangers, the dinner party jazz standards and the contemporary folk/Americana inspired ones. There's an album for every mood under the sun. My moods tend to shift, so she's perfect for me!
Where can people find your music/more information?
I am very active on Instagram, /jackruamusic; and Twitter, @jackruamusic. Also Spotify, facebook.com/jackruamusic and vm.tiktok.com/ZSxVUNmY.
