First Draft of Article

"You don’t choose to be indie, indie chooses you”

Sat in a cafe up north, before reconvening for a photoshoot in a disused football ground, I prepare my thoughts for the interview as the enigmatically charming Ruby Tuesday seems to blend into the mismatched surroundings with an unexpected ease on this cold, crisp morning. I watch her eyes flash to the outside scene of passers-by and then flash back to her hand stirring unsweetened coffee. Maybe the harsh exterior runs deep. She takes a sip and slightly squints at the strength of the beverage. Maybe not.

So why all the hype? How do you become indie’s “next big thing”? It’s a hard title to live up to, many have failed. Why this northern lass? “I used to sing just at me Nan’s house. I know, not cool, but she loved my singing. Played me all the greats from the good old days. Then it got bigger, got into other music types, found a new world out there. You can’t fight that thirst you get to wanna hear things. Hasn’t been quenched yet... and I don’t think you’ll get a cheesier quote for the rest of the decade (laughs)” True. Another sip of that bitter brown stuff and we’re on to career highlights so far. “Just getting the chance to record, I guess. When you get spotted, then thrown into this studio where you get to sing your own material, not sing covers in local pubs every night of the week. It feels unreal, really”

Her eyes still flicking back and forth between that coffee and outside, I wonder whether there’s a message behind her music, or is it just another musician churning out the mediocre. “I think I’m just like everyone else – fed up with stuff. I know it’s not on the same scale as punk where everyone was fed up for political stuff; we’re all so safe now. There’s nothing to be unhappy with... and that’s what I’m unhappy with I guess. It feels like there needs to be something new, different... shocking because we’re all so cosy with the masses of rubbish that people make. I wanna be able to get that message accross in my songs, make something abit quirky that will stand out to people. We aren’t shocked or provoked anymore... deeper than you imagined from a scrawny Northern lass ey?”

Feeling myself fall under her renowned “spell”, I ask about artist influences. “The Clash” Ah, the punk influence we were all waiting for. “(laughs) yeah something like that. But you know, Morrissey has to be up there... The Libertines, The Rolling Stones... but also wider, more varied stuff. Toots, Bowie, Holiday, and MacGowan.” After a few minutes nodding and mulling over her last thought she continues, “MacGowan is an idol of mine. His lyrics are so vividly descriptive, you know. Especially in The Pogues, “If I Should Fall With Grace From God”, what a song! The emotions he writes about -- he’s a poet”

Previously reading about Ruby Tuesday, it was hard to imagine an artist with as much charisma as they described, but sitting at a table facing this rising star, it’s easy to see how people become entranced watching her perform live. It’s easy to see how she got her name; she does hold that mystery that makes it impossible to capture her in writing. “Yeah, when we got into the Stones that became my nickname and it just stuck. I don’t leave as easy as in the song though (laughs)”

As we stand to say goodbye, she shared a few inside jokes with the passing waitress and shook my hand politely. “When’s the long awaited debut album coming out?” “Thursday 19th in all good decent record shops (laughs and gestures towards her coffee) bit strong wasn’t it?” She smiled, turned and sank into the cold northern air outside. “Goodbye Ruby Tuesday”