01Profile
A Ruen Brothers Photo
Ruen Brothers
Musicians — Scunthorpe
03Interview
Describe your style in three words?
Cinematic, melodic, emotive.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury. We performed on the same day as the Stones. It was surreal getting to perform at one of the world’s most prestigious festivals an hour or so apart from our favourite band of all time.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Roy Orbison - because we are huge fans and he’s been such a big influence. Think it’d be cool to try and out shade him.
Willie Nelson - Would wanna have a play on ‘Trigger’ and sample some of his Reserve.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
We tend to lean most towards Rockabilly, but there’s been a touch of influence from multiple other subcultures such as Mod and Punk. We grew up listening to artists such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, The Who, The Damned, Stiff Little Fingers and the Sex Pistols. It was an eclectic mix which definitely had some influence in our style of writing, performing and dress sense.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Henry: Quentin Tarantino, I’d love to talk to him about film and the music behind his films. He always has such amazing soundtracks.
Rupert: The Rat Pack. How cool would it be to knock back a whiskey and smoke a cigar with this bunch? The original leader was - believe it or not - Humphrey Bogart, I’d like to play him at chess.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Webster Hall, NYC - We were opening up for George Ezra back in 2015, and we were taken back by the history of the place and energy of the audience. It was a fantastic night, and we thoroughly enjoyed performing there.
Your greatest hero or heroine in music?
Henry: Mick Jagger. Massive respect to anyone who can last as long, remain as current and deliver such phenomenal stadium rock. Henry - Carole King. She has written some of the most beautiful songs in history.
Rupert: Glen Campbell. Fantastic guitar player and singer, and even kept gigging with Alzheimer’s. As Merle Haggard put it, if there was ever someone given too much talent, it was Glen Campbell. Jackie DeShannon. She was an incredible songwriter, an inspiration to all.
The Ruen Brothers are Scunthorpe siblings Henry and Rupert Stansall. Emerging in 2013 the band won fans young and old with their sound reminiscent of Roy Orbison and The Everly Brothers. The duo return in 2018 with new album 'All My Shades Of Blue' recorded in Los Angeles and produced by legendary Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin. The album's all-star cast includes Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) on drums, Dave Keuning (The Killers) on strings and Ian McLagan (Faces/Small Faces) on keyboards.
'All My Shades Of Blue' is released on 22nd June (2018)
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Alternative Ulster' - The Stiff Little Fingers.
Being five years old and dancing around the house to this song, being sure that the lyrics were ‘it’s a nah nah nah monster…’
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Lonely Weekends' - Charlie Rich.
We’d be gigging every weekend instead of being out at house parties and so on. We used to cover this tune. Oh, those lonely weekends.
One record you would keep forever?
Henry: Enlightenment - Van Morrison
‘She’s My Baby’ - This song would be on repeat on the record player as kids at dinner time, always loved this record.
Rupert: Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
‘The Only Living Boy In New York’ - I’m vibing with that right now.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I wanna be like you…
- Louis Prima
Seems today that everyone wants to be like someone else. It inspires us to be the opposite.
A song you wished you had written?
'In Dreams' - Roy Orbison.
Beautifully written, dark, emotional, perfect. The structure is not typical but that doesn’t affect it, it adds to its uniqueness and the crescendo towards the end is fantastic.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Bitch' - The Rolling Stones.
The drums shuffle and pump ‘louder than a big bass drum’. The brass is dirty and cool, great to blast! It was between this and Blur’s - 'Song 2' (which is great to blast for obvious reasons).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Let’s Do It Again' - J Boog.
Love a bit of Hawaiian love!
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Come On Eileen' - Dexys Midnight Runners.
Who doesn’t get on the dance floor to this song?
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Tired of Being Alone' - Al Green.
When we’d be packing our gear away after a late night pub gig, the crowds were usually pretty rowdy and drunk; we’d play some Al Green to calm everyone down, spread some post-show sadness and clear out the room. We love Al Green for more than this though.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Leon Bridges - 'Bet Ain’t Worth The Hand'
Kacey Musgraves - 'High Time'
Chance The Rapper - 'Same Drugs'
The Growlers - 'I’ll Be Around'
Colter Wall - 'The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie'
03Interview
Describe your style in three words?
Cinematic, melodic, emotive.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury. We performed on the same day as the Stones. It was surreal getting to perform at one of the world’s most prestigious festivals an hour or so apart from our favourite band of all time.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Roy Orbison - because we are huge fans and he’s been such a big influence. Think it’d be cool to try and out shade him.
Willie Nelson - Would wanna have a play on ‘Trigger’ and sample some of his Reserve.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
We tend to lean most towards Rockabilly, but there’s been a touch of influence from multiple other subcultures such as Mod and Punk. We grew up listening to artists such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, The Who, The Damned, Stiff Little Fingers and the Sex Pistols. It was an eclectic mix which definitely had some influence in our style of writing, performing and dress sense.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Henry: Quentin Tarantino, I’d love to talk to him about film and the music behind his films. He always has such amazing soundtracks.
Rupert: The Rat Pack. How cool would it be to knock back a whiskey and smoke a cigar with this bunch? The original leader was - believe it or not - Humphrey Bogart, I’d like to play him at chess.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Webster Hall, NYC - We were opening up for George Ezra back in 2015, and we were taken back by the history of the place and energy of the audience. It was a fantastic night, and we thoroughly enjoyed performing there.
Your greatest hero or heroine in music?
Henry: Mick Jagger. Massive respect to anyone who can last as long, remain as current and deliver such phenomenal stadium rock. Henry - Carole King. She has written some of the most beautiful songs in history.
Rupert: Glen Campbell. Fantastic guitar player and singer, and even kept gigging with Alzheimer’s. As Merle Haggard put it, if there was ever someone given too much talent, it was Glen Campbell. Jackie DeShannon. She was an incredible songwriter, an inspiration to all.
The Ruen Brothers are Scunthorpe siblings Henry and Rupert Stansall. Emerging in 2013 the band won fans young and old with their sound reminiscent of Roy Orbison and The Everly Brothers. The duo return in 2018 with new album 'All My Shades Of Blue' recorded in Los Angeles and produced by legendary Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin. The album's all-star cast includes Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) on drums, Dave Keuning (The Killers) on strings and Ian McLagan (Faces/Small Faces) on keyboards.
'All My Shades Of Blue' is released on 22nd June (2018)
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Alternative Ulster' - The Stiff Little Fingers.
Being five years old and dancing around the house to this song, being sure that the lyrics were ‘it’s a nah nah nah monster…’
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Lonely Weekends' - Charlie Rich.
We’d be gigging every weekend instead of being out at house parties and so on. We used to cover this tune. Oh, those lonely weekends.
One record you would keep forever?
Henry: Enlightenment - Van Morrison
‘She’s My Baby’ - This song would be on repeat on the record player as kids at dinner time, always loved this record.
Rupert: Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
‘The Only Living Boy In New York’ - I’m vibing with that right now.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I wanna be like you…
- Louis Prima
Seems today that everyone wants to be like someone else. It inspires us to be the opposite.
A song you wished you had written?
'In Dreams' - Roy Orbison.
Beautifully written, dark, emotional, perfect. The structure is not typical but that doesn’t affect it, it adds to its uniqueness and the crescendo towards the end is fantastic.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Bitch' - The Rolling Stones.
The drums shuffle and pump ‘louder than a big bass drum’. The brass is dirty and cool, great to blast! It was between this and Blur’s - 'Song 2' (which is great to blast for obvious reasons).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Let’s Do It Again' - J Boog.
Love a bit of Hawaiian love!
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Come On Eileen' - Dexys Midnight Runners.
Who doesn’t get on the dance floor to this song?
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Tired of Being Alone' - Al Green.
When we’d be packing our gear away after a late night pub gig, the crowds were usually pretty rowdy and drunk; we’d play some Al Green to calm everyone down, spread some post-show sadness and clear out the room. We love Al Green for more than this though.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Leon Bridges - 'Bet Ain’t Worth The Hand'
Kacey Musgraves - 'High Time'
Chance The Rapper - 'Same Drugs'
The Growlers - 'I’ll Be Around'
Colter Wall - 'The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie'