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From: Pennsylvania
Sounds like: Hard Rock
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? How did the name "RUINESS" come about and is there any meaning to it?
(Ariana: I would like to preface with Dylan has known each of us individually in different ways over the years and has introduced us to each other. He's the true starter of all of this.)
Our drummer, Dylan, has been in his original band Observe the 93rd for MANY years. Their first album The Vast and Boundless was released in 2016. In 2013, our singer Ariana was in a cover project that used to open for them when she was 17 at the time. Observe the 93rd since have created 3 more albums with a 4th very close behind! Dylan has been playing around central Pennsylvania for quite some time and he is everyone's go-to for when they need a drummer that can handle the job!
Our guitarist Greg is in another original project called Voidhidden. He's a mad scientist when it comes to recording/mixing. He does this for both Voidhidden and us in RUINESS. The way this man can capture a vision and bring it to life is incredible to see. Greg also does back-up vocals/screams for RUINESS. This man can sing, play guitar, drums, keys, he literally doesn't need us (but we are grateful)!
Eric, this beautiful man, is our bassist, and a DAMN good one. He has two original projects Archaia and Demri that he was in prior to RUINESS. Eric and Dylan have both performed a Limp Bizkit tribute set together many years ago and recently also started a Reggae project (unnamed at this current time). Eric is well known in the scene and, rightfully so, well respected!
As for me (Ariana), I've had many vocal coaches over the years including Steve Whiteman from KIX (also taught Lzzy Hale of Halestorm in her teens), a Juilliard alumni, and a man with a firm focus on vocal conservation (similar teachings of Ken Tamplin and Ron Anderson). I was also in a traveling competition choir in a public high school that I was fortunate had an incredible music program. I have had a couple tribute/cover projects over time but never the right opportunity for something serious until the past year or 2. I joined an Iron Maiden tribute called Maiden America and since this has really opened many doors for me musically. The next door leading to RUINESS.
RUINESS started as a tribute project called The Airwavez. We performed multiple Paramore and Flyleaf sets before these guys were able to break me (Ariana) out of my comfort zone and challenged me to write. Once that chain broke, the self-doubt disappeared and it's all I've been able to think about since. We then started this original band RUINESS and since merged the two under one umbrella. We now perform a Halestorm set on the side for fun but the true main focus is our original music.
As to the RUINESS name origin:
We were tossing out random words/phrases for a few weeks but nothing stuck. We knew we wanted something "feminine yet edgy" so I would google random words and scroll through the synonyms to see if anything would stick. I then froze on "Ruinous" so I said it out loud. Greg then looked at me and said "ruin-NESS"... RUINESS felt like the perfect fit!
In regards to sound influence, I cannot speak too well for the others, but I'd say my (Ariana) adoration for Paramore, specifically front-woman Hayley Williams, has influenced me more than anything on my style. I have always gravitated towards heavier music otherwise, but the way this woman can crank out hook after hook and WAIL. She always has something that just drops that lyrically hits a little too close to home for me at those exact moments in my life. I knew I wanted my music to make others feel the way she has always made me feel listening to her music.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
An outlet. Something to get all those stresses/anything you may be internalizing, out. Something that gets stuck in your head that you have to listen to over and over to scratch that itch. We want our music to be a "release". A healthy distraction.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Paramore but PISSED.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
ONLY THREE?! RIVALS, Halestorm, and Falling in Reverse.... I Prevail gets an honorable mention.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
Hi, Ariana here. I'll express a fear to it once it has a fair shot at replacing us of what we do on stage. Live shows should feel like "job security" for musicians, ya know? There is such a true appreciation to the art behind music creation, I truly don't see that dying anytime soon. I otherwise just accept that it is a part of reality. It's here, it's not going anywhere. Notice the changes around you, adapt accordingly.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Hard Rock?
Hard Rock, especially Metal, is really making break-throughs lately. Especially with all these cross-genre collaborations. We feel it's the right time to come in female-fronted, locked and loaded!
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Pennsylvania?
Honestly, thriving. Since COVID, live music around here in Central Pennsylvania has really been making a comeback. The talent out here is LITERAL MADNESS! Halestorm, August Burns Red, Ice Nine Kills, Poison, and If Not For Me (insanely talented artists breaking through this year) are all from around here and with the underground scene being as great as it is, I'm not surprised in the slightest!
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
(Ariana:) It's their algorithms helping push us out there all over the world. I'm truly too new to this to want to comment further. Let us break 6 digits in streams one day first and maybe I'll get back to you on that...
9. What’s next for RUINESS?
SO. MANY. ORIGINALS. We are still getting on our feet, learning the industry, creating our own uniqueness. With that said, I have about 250 (some partial, some full) song ideas chilling in my phone. Dream of the day to make that our full-time focus. Until then, we have many in final stages for mastering and a LOT in the works. I want an album out, going to make that happen as soon as we can.
10. Any shoutouts?
To all our A-1 day-1s and everyone in between! Thanks for having faith in what we do and following along our crazy journey. We'll figure it out one day!
