Ruby Rodgers Is The Sound Of A New Generation In Debut EP ‘Crisis’
Photography by Sara Regan
Not many can say that they’ve spoken at a Ted Talk, released an EP, and travelled across Europe to fight climate change in the upcoming documentary Future Council. But Ruby Rodgers has done it all (and can even make a mean soufflé).
The 15 year old Sydney-based singer-songwriter comes from a line of critically acclaimed musicians and rock legends. Her parents and grandparents have left their own marks in the music industry. But make no mistake, because Ruby is carving out a path that’s entirely her own.
Her debut EP, Crisis, (released on May 9 via EMI Music Australia), is a deeply personal and powerful introduction to Rodgers musical talents. Exploring the anxiety of growing up in a changing world, tackling everything from environmental concerns to personal relationships and growth. “I’ve always been a sensitive person,” she shares. “Even in school, I always struggled to bottle my emotions up. But as I got older, I found writing, especially poetry, as an outlet.
Having the project out in the world, Ruby is nothing short of relieved. “It had been a long time coming”. The tracks Crisis and Hits The Heart were written back in 2023, so being able to share her music and have it well received felt “incredibly rewarding”.
When listening to the EP, you’ll come across some familiar lyrics as Ruby features a moving cover of Coldplay’s Fix You. Originally planned as a feature for the upcoming Future Council documentary, Ruby wrote a heartfelt letter to the band asking for their blessing to use the cover. To her astonishment, they said yes. “I was in tears when I found out,” she recalls with a smile during our Zoom call. “It reminded me that there are people out there who really do stand by their word and practice what they preach, and it gave me a whole other level of respect for them.”
Closing out the EP is Hits The Heart. Inspired by fellow students Ruby met during her time filming Future Council. The first verse introduces Sky, a friend from Wales whose hometown is among the first predicted to be submerged by rising sea levels. “She’s one of the most vocal and brave people I know,” Ruby says.
The song also introduces siblings Heva and Honey from the Norfolk Islands, and Cece from another corner of the globe. “I felt like I owed it to them to tell their stories,” Ruby says. Knowing that listeners may not always know that “the people and the connections I made with them are real,” she is proud to know that “the stories I tell are enough to understand how much they inspired me and how much I care about them.”
Ruby’s father, Benjamin Rodgers, extremely talented guitarist and musician, played a pivotal role throughout the making of Crisis. While Ruby had written all of her lyrics herself, she leaned on her dad for help with the instrumental side of writing. Ruby admits that at the time, she “had very surface level talent with piano and guitar,” so her dad “was a huge help.”
Not many people can work with their parents but it seemed nothing short of fate for Ruby and Benjamin. “We’re both very sensitive and emotional people, so as you could imagine, there were a lot of those father-daughter clashes,” but despite everything, Rodgers never failed to recognise the talent her father has. “He’s an incredible guitarist and musician,” who has never failed to support Ruby. Showing up to every gig, interview, writing session and moment throughout her career, Rodgers is very aware of how lucky she is “to have him on my side.”
Growing up with some of music's greats, Ruby wasn’t a stranger to the industry - especially the work and effort this career involves. In fact, Ruby was determined to consider every option other than music before she ended up here today. Recounting a list of other paths she explored including going on Masterchef, playing waterpolo, even becoming an architect or an actress. Her family still “supported every delusion I had,” she jokes. “I am very fortunate to have had the chance to explore these avenues at the time,” but as fate has it “music was something I would come back to no matter what, and as I got older, my love for music never faded.”
When looking at what’s next for Ruby, she’s about to gear up for the release of the ‘Future Council’ documentary. Directed by Damon Gameau, the film follows eight young changemakers on a journey across Europe, looking for ways to tackle the ongoing climate crisis. Ruby secretly applied for this opportunity after friends and family sent the online ad to her multiple times. Not expecting to hear anything back, she was packing her bags to Europe before she knew it.
The experience was incredibly life-changing for Ruby. She created lifelong friendships that inspired her music and taught her so much. “We were all from places all around the world including Uganda, Norfolk Island, Bali, Singapore, Scotland and Wales. So for me it was interesting to see how these big environmental changes affect us differently. But also how much it affects us all in general, and how we can’t separate ourselves from these issues.”
Ruby acknowledged the privilege of living in a country like Australia, but the stories she learned along the way left a lasting impact. She explained how it reminded her “how it really is time we start working together rather than dismissing climate change as a problem for the future.”
When I had the privilege of meeting Ruby for this feature, I was taken aback by Ruby’s insight, warmth, and determination that extends far beyond her years. At the age of 15, Ruby has already shown us that she is a fierce and gifted storyteller, artist and advocate to issues that are close to her heart. With all of this, it’s safe to say her future looks bright.
In the meantime, make sure you listen to her debut EP Crisis here and check out Future Council hitting cinemas across the nation from August 7 (trailer and more info here).
