For 20-year-old singer-songwriter Ruben Pope, music has always had a special place in his life: “I guess I’ve always been into music. There are pictures of me when I was little with a karaoke machine, I was obsessed with it.” Creating music under the name Strawbey, Ruben can be seen on Spotify’s Dreampop and Lo-fi Indie playlists and was featured on BBC Introducing LGBTQ+ records of the year playlist for 2020. Written from his bedroom in university halls on his first electric guitar, his EP play pretend is influenced by his journey of self discovery. Showcasing velvet soft vocals and dream-like melodies, the EP welcomes listeners into the world of Strawbey within four perfect tracks. To Ruben, music is the best way of expressing himself. “It was an escape from the lie I was living before coming out,” he explains. “All of the photos of me with a guitar, in a Disney princess costume holding a microphone when I was 9, really fed into the concept behind my first body of work.”
Sheesh Magazine chatted with Ruben Pope about music inspirations, the creative process behind his work, future plans and more.
What inspires your sound?
RUBEN: Many people have said play pretend is a bedroom-pop record. I guess it embraces the DIY aesthetic, but I knew it had to offer a different perspective on that because the genre is so painfully oversaturated at the moment. BBC Introducing referred to it as ‘experimental bedroom music.’ I guess the experimental nature of the music whilst embracing a very genuine rawness, which was unavoidable given that I made this EP in my bedroom over lockdown, is what allowed it to get noticed in the way it has!
With whatever I do next I want to expand on this genuine rawness. Everything I’ve worked on since sounds like I’m kind of taking control of my situation, my emotions, my identity and expression in a way that I’ve not really had the confidence to do before, and I think that is mostly thanks to play pretend. In terms of the musical influences, the raw edge of play pretend has manifested itself in grunge and 2000s pop angst. If you’ve heard ‘You Won’t Fall For Anyone’ you’ll have noticed that. And, although play pretend is probably more ironic and fun than what I’m working on currently, it was the first step for me in breaking away from being referred to as a bedroom artist to becoming a pop artist. That’s where I’m headed.
What does it mean to you to put music out into the world?
RUBEN: The other day I received a message from a listener on Twitter unexpectedly. It was quite a long, sincere message and they were saying that my music helped them validate and come to terms with losing someone they loved. Also, they were from Brazil! It’s just mad to me that someone on the other side of the world, that I would never have known of otherwise, has listened to music about an experience that is really personal and specific to me and felt so connected to it that they felt the need to reach out to me! So I guess that’s it. That’s what it means to me.
How did you go about creating the ‘You Won’t Fall For Anyone’ music video?
RUBEN: The video was directed by the genius that is Alex Deitsch and produced by Robby Kahyer of Repulsive Studios who I cannot thank enough for his continued support from the very start.
It was pretty much the same team of people that worked on the ‘how do you feel’ video. We began working on the ‘You Won’t Fall For Anyone’ music video before the song was finished. In fact, the video was recorded before the song was even mastered in quite a hurry between the end of the second and the start of the third lockdown in the UK. The visuals have definitely shaped the direction I’m going in next. It was a pivotal moment. And we’ve already started to think about what’s next, but we are yet to work out how we are going to top it!
What have you been up to recently?
RUBEN: To be brutally honest I’ve been working a lot to raise the funds I need to be able to work on my next project, so nothing that’s all that fun. But, I’m heading back to London next month to get in the studio for the first time with various people that I’ve been working with remotely, so that’s exciting!
Do you have a favourite part of the songwriting or creative process?
RUBEN: I think my favourite part is when everything finally gels together and makes sense as a piece of work. I think most artists would agree that it’s just THE best feeling of relief and sense of accomplishment ever! And I’m most proud of the fact my songs are so effortlessly honest, because otherwise, what’s the point really?
How has lockdown impacted your creativity?
RUBEN: The first lockdown had really fuelled my creativity but the last two, and especially the third, have been EXHAUSTING! It’s really frustrating because I want to do live shows and actually meet people in person that I’ve already met online since releasing my music and I can’t yet. But, we are all in the same boat and it’s important to remind yourself that it’s okay if you’re not doing great because the whole world isn’t doing great either. I think the best way to remain creative is to let yourself have a break for as long as you need to, and then return to whatever it is you’re doing. It helps to keep some sense of clarity when everything around you is so stagnant. But, I’m the least productive person in the world most of the time so I don’t know if you should take my advice…
Who would be your dream artist to collab with?
RUBEN: I think I’d have to say The Japanese House!
Plans for the future of Strawbey?
RUBEN: I’ve been in contact with a few people about potential gigs and festival slots but that’s all I can say for now, and obviously it’s all depending on whether it’s safe to do so. I’m working with a LOT of new people at the moment and that’s going to expand over the next few months as we begin to produce my next project which, without saying too much, is all written and has a name as well! I’m really proud of the writing on this one, it’s taken all the rawness of ‘play pretend’ and put it into more of an alt-pop sound. It’s not gonna be out for a while yet though because we’ve not even started producing it, it’s just demoed. But fingers crossed it won’t be a ridiculous wait because I like to work quickly. I can’t focus on one thing for very long… oops.
Remember to follow Strawbey on Instagram to stay up to date with his future releases and stream his music on Spotify.
