Ruby's Review

  ABOUT CROOKED GRINS AND  PSYCHEDELIC FINGERPRINTS  TIM CRIMZON  The  Story-driven alternative,  blues-rooted folk musician.  By RubySage 29 May 2026 Think eclectic.  Think psychedelic. Think Blues, folk-rock. Think camp fires and story telling, with tangible emotion and heartfelt expression.  That's what you can expect when you delve into the music realm of Tim Crimzon.   Thinking about it now, it's kind of crazy to think that, after meeting Tim a good three plus years ago, our journey, comprising of a shared appreciation for all things harmonic, slightly obscure and a beat felt groove, has only just begun.  There is a lot more I could say on the topic of the CrimZon haired story teller ...with his slightly lopsided.. 'Uhem' ... I meant crooked grin. (😉)  However, as it turns out, that would be  completely unnecessary.  His answers in the Q&A reveal a lot more than what I could even fathom, let alone find ...

   NO SMOKE. NO MIRRORS LEAD THE WAY, MICHAEL WICKHAM! By RubySage 22 May 2026   I have met many incredible guitarists who have blown my mind by just observing their shredding technique.   But isn’t it a fact that, as soon as you’ve seen it all and heard some of the   best, suddenly and out of the blue, you’ll find yourself awestruck once again?    Well, this has been my experience anyway...    It is no secret to those who know me…and even some who don’t…that I have been blessed with the gift of the gab… Getting   me to talk has never been a problem…ever. And there are many who will tell you that the challenge lies in getting me to stop! So when I say that I was left speechless after hearing Michael play for the first time, I imagine you’d sit up straight and pay attention.     Picture this:   A smoggy, starless night sky.   A crisp chill in the air as the first signs of winter announced itself. ...

   DJ BANDIT BEATZ   MIXING MAGIC  By RubySage 15 May 2026   “It’s me, God and the music. A story teller to my soul” – Dale Schnettler   I believe that the best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.   Being a dancer for most of my life, I have a special love for music, in particular the beat.   Growing up I idolized drummers and DJ’s because they bring the beat.   And although I never ventured into the world of drumming, I have recently started dabbling in DJing, which just reinforces my view on the beat being heartbeat of the song. It’s no secret that there are hundreds of ‘drummer’ jokes and although I myself have also ragged a drummer or two, truth is I’ve never really understood why though.   Because, anyone who knows will tell you that good beat making, in general, is  finding the balance between variation and repetition . Without any variation, the listener can get bored ...

We are excited to announce that Ruby Fest will take place from September 4-6, 2026! SAY WHAT!?  CALLING ALL VENDORS!! We invite all vendors to join us for this amazing event. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your products and services at one of the coolest celebrations of local live music on the West Rand!   Please pop us an email at ruby@rubyfest.co.za OR events.with.ruby@gmail.com, for registration details and vendor guidelines and /or inquiries. read on for more on RUBY FEST 2026 and what you need to know…for now... This year marks the 2nd annual Ruby Fest, local live music festival and this year we are going bigger and better - think, 'camping and carnival', style! Say What?! This year's festival is a celebration of the Local Live Music scene! Its all about local music, brought to you by local musicians , for local musicians and pretty much anyone and everyone who supports the local live music scene. However, this more than simply a celebration. This is about comm...

  DJ ZI - LETTING THE MUSIC LEAD  By RubySage 8 May 2026                                           DJ ZI -BRINGING THE BEAT THAT MOVES YOUR FEET, LIGHTS UP YOUR SOUL AND FREES YOUR MIND!   Multi instrumentalist and singer song writer, Lee Hill IS DJ ZI, the beat master of the moment.  I met Lee a few years back when he took part in  a Battle of the Bands competition that took place in Hartebeespoort.  That was a good day.  It was the beginning of a great friendship with one of the most legit people I’ve met. On stage, wither it be on decks, behind the drums, strumming a guitar and/or holding a mic,  Lee brings an electrifying energy to any stage he finds himself playing.  It only stood to reason that bringing the beat and spinning decks would be the next big journey for him.  Lee soon became  one of my favourite up and coming dj’...

 A MAN ON A MISSION 'LIKE A BOSS' CHRISTO (BAAS) DE BEER BY RUBYSAGE 17 APRIL 2026 I know that I usually start off  all, or at least most off my articles by saying that this person need no introduction... but really though...Christo De Beer , commonly known a Baas De Beer really does need NO introduction.   I thought that it was high time that I reach out to this legend and visionary in the local live music scene  for a, long overdue, chat.   'Finally!', I thought, here is a man with a wealth of knowledge, and years of experience.  The kind of person who would, surly, understand the type of passion that, I too, have for the local scene.  The kind of person I could learn from.  And I wasn't wrong.  What I did not anticipate, however, is meeting someone who 1. talks as much as I do... and 2. with as much excitement.  We do speak the same language...just in different languages!   Well... the initial plan was to have a 'quick'...

    GONE CHASING DRAGONS - LOUD, WILD AND  UNSTOPPABLE! by RubySage 10 April 2026   I have always wanted a dragon … I mean, who doesn’t?  And growing up, I had one mission and one mission alone ( aside from all my other many side  missions and quests , of course)  …to  find me a dragon…! And what do you know!?  About a hundred lifetimes later,  I found me not one … but a BAND of them!     I know I know… the name is Gone CHASING Dragons… and that nowhere does it state that THEY are … dragons …but, hey…close enough.   I was but an embryo in the live local music scene when I first met Gone Chasing Dragons  Hunter, Liam and Cameron who I immediately dubbed as MY dragons. Aside from being incredibly amazing human beings (not dragons *rolls eyes dramatically*), they are totally Rock and Roll!  They not only look the part …they sound it…they  live it! . I know I'm gushing (I have an endless supply of gush) … h...