Melissa Ruth: Bio and Press

MELISSA RUTH:
HOMEGROWN FOLK-SASS, AN HISTORY

"Melissa Ruth is a classically trained musician with back-porch sensibility. At once literary and soulful, charming and heartbreaking, Ruth and sideman Johnny Leal create music that is both down-home intimate and downtown immediate."
-Both Ears Records





Growing up in rural British Columbia, Melissa Ruth was raised on a balanced diet of borsht and Bob Dylan and was exposed to art and culture from an early age. As a child and teenager she studied classical flute and gigged locally. By age 15, she added guitar to her musical practice and began writing her own songs.

Melissa graduated with a degree in music in 2005 and was nominated for Outstanding Student of the Year in Fine Arts that spring by her flute instructor. While studying classical music by day, by night Melissa was active in the folk scene of Humboldt County. In the fall of 2006 she relocated to Eugene, Oregon to teach and to pursue her budding career in music.

In July of 2008, Ms. Ruth released her debut album “Underwater and Other Places” on her own record label Both Ears Records. She has toured the Western United States and performed at regional music festivals including 2008’s Willamette Valley Music Fest and 2008 and 2009's Grrrlz Rock Concert Series. Her song “The Blues Instead” has received national and international streaming and airplay. Melissa often plays as a duo with her husband, multi-instrumentalist Johnny Leal. Schooled in both classical and jazz, Leal now mainly focuses on the blues. Most recently Melissa and Johnny have been touring and recording as an electric folk duo playing music they dub as Doo-Wop Twang. Says Ruth of their brand of music: "it's the electric version of Homegrown Folk-Sass."

In December of 2008, Ruth began writing as a guest blogger for The Register Guard's Ticket-Files. Ruth writes music reviews as part of the paper's extended coverage of the arts.

Ruth is currently the music director in her local school district. Melissa, when not teaching or touring, delights in working her garden and playing with her cute dog Bruno.

With her intimate feel and hometown attitude, Melissa Ruth has enchanted listeners with her music driven lyrics and beautifully sultry voice. This girl-next-door-turned-rock-star is ready to take your eardrums for a ride.

When you think of the folk singers of the 60s and 70s, it's amazing to recall how casually their natural, comfortable songs so easily told the tales of so many lives. Tom Rush’s "Driving Wheel," Joan Baez’s "Diamonds & Rust," and Sandy Denny’s "It Suits Me Well," come immediately to mind as deceptively simple songs that are musically brilliant. Melissa Ruth’s latest album Underwater & Other Places, shows that this classically trained musician has the skills and creativity to join the ranks of superb folk artists.

Ruth never overplays her musical hand. The stories she tells in her songs are pure and natural as is her music and vocals. Ruth knows a good story doesn’t need a lot of slick production and elaborate instrumentation to shine; the song can stand on its own merits.

Consider "Fate or Circumstance." In telling stories of the downtrodden and corporate chains that bind many, Ruth could easily have turned this into another ho-hum liberal cry. The problem with some of those tunes of course is that they seem less about concern over a wrong and more about an artist's "message" sometimes seeming almost like parodies.

Ruth never takes that road. Instead her complex stories are told through simple guitar work and stark vocals that offer commentary – powerful to be sure – but not righteous indignation.

That’s not to say that Ruth’s music is simplistic. Far from it. "Honey From the Hive" which hints of blues and a touch of R&B, and "Sooner Break Than Bend," which showcases intricate guitar work and subtle percussion, highlight Ruth’s considerable range and creativity.

Let’s hope Ruth, who can clearly fill the void left by so many great folkies, breaks out of the pack. Her music deserves to be heard.
Reviews: Melissa Ruth

"Ruth’s sensitive guitar playing shines through in each song, and though her tunes are lyrically driven stories, they’re not history lessons like those of Laura Veirs. Neither are they as languorous as those of Devon Sproule, and certainly not as fragile as the Be Good Tanyas, but fans of any of these women would find good company in Melissa Ruth."
Local Americana Goodness

"While she’s no Joan Baez vocally, Ruth’s voice is pretty. She has a good range and shows tremendous potential. Her college teacher already might need to eat her words about whether Ruth has “it” if she ever hears her former student’s CD or sees her play live. Ruth’s “it” is love, compassion, humor, good guitar skills, a pretty voice, a capable band and a desire equal to her audience’s to connect with people." (Read the rest of this article here)

"Melissa Ruth brings easy-to-feel lyrics and an earthy melody to listeners.... Her hometown-folk picks at the memories of warm autumn nights and good company."
Q&A with Melissa Ruth

"I was interested in working with Melissa Ruth because I immediately found her songs fascinating. Lots of artists are putting forth
'original' material, but little of it is anywhere near this original. She has a very personal take on all of it - lyrics, melodies, accompaniment - that brings forth a truly refreshing perspective, one
completely outside the 'cookie cutter' approach to which so many young artists fall prey."

"A sensitive blend of prose and melody; her music warms you with magical imagery and well crafted songwriting."

"Holy shit....Melissa and Johnny have an amazing trio goin on!! They shred some guits for real and she is screaming spot on pitch and warble fucking free. I was blown away by the overdrive seriously. Girlfriend is a rock star and there is no flower folk wanking. You know I dont front the props! come see Melissa, and some musicians who are the real thing. warble free, no man hating/ prude bitch/ tori jewel wining. promise."