Ruby's Review

  PERRY & BLACKWELL A SOUND TO GET EXCITED ABOUT By RubySage 3 July2026 I, very recently, experienced a certain magnificent nostalgic moment, when I discovered Nu-Grunge band, Perry & Blackwell.    Now, if ever there was a sure tell-tale happening that resulted in my being   inspired enough to try take over the world, I can assure you, ‘Pinky and the Brain’ isn’t   it…it is and has always been the sounds of   Nu-Grunge.   Maybe it’s the air of rebellion, the idea of being part of a movement that will, loudly, express a message of moral stature and ‘sticking it to the man’ if you will…or maybe it just a combination of epic sounds that captive me.   Either way, Nu- Grunge has always, and to this day, excites me.   Now, for those who live under a rock, and in the spirit of being ever so controversial, I found a beautifully descriptive explanation on the music genre,   Nu-Grunge, provided by the ever so debated about tool, namely ...

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT FISMITS FOUNDER,  MARK BIAGIO  By RubySage 3 July 2026 The FISMITS.   A name that has been stuck in my head since the first moment I heard it.   Why?   Well,   two reasons …1. I am a first class supporter of   the 'play on words' and 2. .. being somewhat of a misfit myself, I felt an instant kinship of sorts. An   understanding, in a sense.   ( And as I am writing this, I think to myself, "...brilliant marketing strategy -   Great hook."   ) One of the many things I really enjoy about what I do is interacting with and learning more about my fellow musos and people of interest ( to me that is).  I haven't,  as of yet, had the privilege of spending time with the Fismits guys ( I'm hoping o rectify that soon!), but I do find myself very intrigued by who they are as a band and what they bring to the local music scene.  More so, I find myself totally engrossed and getting happily lost in their...

David "Devo" Oosthuizen THE ARTIST'S ALLY By RubySage 12 June 2026 Frustrated by how easily independent talent gets lost in the noise; David "Devo" Oosthuizen launched Devographic to level the playing field.  Highly respected for his genuine passion for independent music and artist development, Devographic Music Agency has become a premier destination for PR, radio plugging, and digital media campaigns.   Under his direction, Devographic does more than just blast press releases; it crafts unique narratives that make gatekeepers pay attention. The very first moment I stumbled, quite accidentally, into the local live music scene, I knew I wanted to be a creative voice advocating for local musicians. My goal preserves the vital stories within the local music community - stories that often go untold between releases, shows and success stories.  Being but an embryo in the industry and this scene, and coming from a background first in marketing a...

  Their sound is bold, their lyrics raw, and their energy infectious. As they continue to evolve and inspire, it’s clear that  LUNAE LANE is destined for  GREATNESS !  By Ruby(LARRY)Sage 6 June 2026   LunaE Lane, a fans favourite, stands as an emblem of creativity and resilience in South Africa’s ever-evolving music scene. With their, community engagement, infectious sound and heartfelt messages, they are not just a band; they are storytellers shaping the musical narrative of a generation. I entered the local music scene at an exciting time.   The name LunaE Lane was on every ones lips as they were fast becoming the talk of the town. Fast forward three years… With their return from this year’s STRAB fest, (held annually in Mozambique) and the release their new single, ‘Would You Love me?, which dropped today ( Friday, 5 June 2026), It stands to reason that they be featured as Ruby’s  Muso of the Moment this week.  From my very first intervie...

  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...