Riiver Brukes
Interview conducted on May 31, 2021
By Dan Locke
Riiver Brukes unusual gritty and soulful voice brings a powerful edge to some amazing hook-laden songs, and is influenced by a broad spectrum of genres and artists, but especially her passion for jazz and blues. Releasing her second video “Love Me Like U Do” a single off her first solo album, ‘Reformed Soul’ (co-written and produced by Joe Segreti: Bruno Pelletier, Mooch): an album that oozes nothing less than the attitude, character, and soul of this Scottish Lassie.
You were born and raised in Scotland. What is your upbringing?
I was raised in a relatively poor neighborhood. Started off pretty good and from a young age had always been encouraged to question things and to learn. I had a pretty good understanding of the formation of the planet, traditional photography processing, and the gestation of kangaroo’s by the time I was 6. Hahaha! My mother used to work as a bookbinder so we always had lots of books in our house (to this day, I still love reference books and learning new things). Over time though, things became tough as long-term ill health forced my mother’s very early retirement. From then on, I learned all sorts of life lessons in what being poor actually means. I also learned about responsibility and grew up mentally, very quickly. I wouldn’t change a thing though, as it taught me all about reality, compassion and values – and is a fundamental part of who I am today.
How did you discover music?
Our house was always full of music – in fact probably the one constant throughout my childhood. I’d spend hours listening to jazz greats such as Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. I was actually mesmerized by Sarah Vaughan and Shirley Bassey! Such beautiful tones and timbre in their voices. I did listen to more contemporary music as well, in fact, I used to think Sting was a god. Hahaha! But I could never escape Motown, soul, jazz, and blues – always my go-to music.
How did you start to write music?
I’ve always been big into language and one day I started writing poetry. Often felt disillusioned with our world and the inequality in it and wanted to write about it – but writing a script would take too long…so I figured poetry would do the job. Hahaha! Just so happens my poetry is naturally rhythmic and so relatively easy to put to music. I’m creative with language so coming up with alternative words to tell a story is not particularly hard for me.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I had a ukulele when I was little that I got one Christmas but was too busy running wild to spend any time with it! I ended up giving it to one of my school friends.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make, and model?
I have 2 acoustic guitars (Fender and Gibson) and an electric. I only recently got the electric – it’s a Gibson Les Paul, 2018.
Describe your music.
I’d say the music is cross-genre. It’s like a fusion of different influences and you can definitely feel it: A bit of rock, blues, soul – even a jazzy Motown feel in some of the songs. I think the ‘Reformed Soul ‘album is definitely difficult to slot in to any particular genre – I like that. I often discover some of the songs on rock, blues, soul and even RnB playlists. That’s totally cool!
What was your first performance like?
I started off singing jazz and blues. I used to sing around various clubs and also the Student Unions. First time I recall being pretty nervous but I was very lucky to have a great jazz guitarist who always managed to make everything sound great on the spot! That’s what it’s really all about. Teamwork and trust.
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI, or ASCAP?
Yes, SOCAN/SESAC and BMI
What makes a good songwriter?
I think a good writer understands the essential elements of creating something that flows: the highs and lows if you like, the hook, and how it all comes together as one unit. Patience is also key. You can’t hurry love, as they say!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first official original song was ‘Love Me Like U Do’ and yes, I recorded it – it’s on the ‘Reformed Soul’ album!
What is the process of writing your music?
It varies. For Joe and I, there really isn’t a particular process, to be honest. Sometimes it begins with a melody, other times it begins with words or a situation that inspires words. And sometimes it’s just a case of playing around and a melody pops out! I really think the best comes out when you least expect it.
Tell me about your album “Reformed Soul”?
The album is all about everyday experiences that we all, at one time or another, can probably relate to Relationships, character, self-belief, confidence, equality, and so on. It’s like a diary of experiences if you like. Not always my own experiences but certainly of people I know. All our experiences mound us into who we are and will become.
Is the title taken from John Donne’s book “The Reformed Soul”?
No, it’s not taken from John Donne’s book – but I guess in principle it’s a similar idea.
The title ‘Reformed Soul’ came about because the music itself has a soulful feel to it despite the other influences going on…but it is also about the individual soul and how our experiences reform and shape us over time.
What is your favorite track on your album?
It’s really hard to say, as each one has a different message that means something to me. Although, maybe ‘Going Crazy’. Probably because it makes sense at this time, hahaha, but also because it’s different. It’s a particular type of song that kind of grooves along and grows on you.
How was it to work with Joe Segreti?
Joe is great. Very patient and talented musician and producer. Joe actually did all of the music on the album. I came up with some basic initial ideas and he would run with it and make it into something cohesive. Joe is very creative musically and I am lyrical, so between us we created something great!
What are your feelings about streaming music?
Streaming is really great for listeners, for sure. It’s maybe not the best for creators of original material though unless you are a megastar. The monetary return on streaming music for artist’s is something like $3 for every 1,000 streams. So, music creators have got to stream an awful lot of music to pay their bills. That being said, streaming is a great marketing tool for artists to get their music heard by a much wider audience.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign, and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I guess it depends on if you are involved in music in some way. If not, then I think there is quite a high chance you might believe it is purely a social media tag!!
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl! I like the retro feel. I’m the same with books. I still like the tangible feel of something physical. Let’s face it, when everything is digital, it’s really nice to have something to hold and cherish and is physically yours.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Actually, right now what sprung to mind is ‘On A Clear Day’ by the Peddlers. Despite all the great stars who did versions of this song over the years, the Peddlers version is my favorite. It’s an inspirational song. And the timbre of his voice is great. So happy it was brought back to life in the great TV Show ‘Breaking Bad’. There are a few cover songs I’d like to hopefully record one day…this song would be top of the list!! V cool.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Yes, sadly live music was abruptly halted. But, I’m very optimistic for the future. I think it will come back to life with a bang! We all miss live performance and the atmosphere that comes with it. My biggest concern is whether there will be venues still operating for bands to perform. I’m pretty sure we will find a way, maybe a new way…but away, for sure!
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I’ve been keeping myself busy learning new things and creating some new stuff. I like to paint and draw as well as write – so, I’m never really stuck for something to do. I also learned some new video editing software. I’m not really a big TV person, so am used to keeping myself otherwise entertained. Hahaha!
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
Lots of fresh air and trying to maintain a reasonably healthy diet – along with vitamin supplements to give myself a boost. When I was young, we were of the mindset to send the kids where the germs were so their bodies could develop robust immune systems. Guess I’m still a little like that.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I decided I would try to knit a sweater. I think I managed about 10 rows and almost lost the will to live. Unfortunately, I’m not very patient when it comes to knitting!
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on live streamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I’ll be interested to see how this works out. I haven’t read the guidelines in detail as of yet, but assume it’s related to performing covers. I understand it is put in place to protect the original creators of the music, so it’s not really a bad thing. If you are making money from performing someone else’s music, it’s only fair to obtain licenses. Hopefully, it will be a relatively easy process to obtain licenses so that cover bands can continue on making a living and promoting themselves and their music. If it’s just for fun. Then friends and family are fine.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
I guess we got to try and get creative to keep the fans engaged while COVID continues. Obviously, it’s going to be difficult but there are some positives as well: online options mean you can upload interesting stuff and alert your fans of any new material or information almost instantly; fans can order merch directly online; people are spending much more time online so there is more chance of engaging more people with good content.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means things like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I’m really not sure about pay to play as I haven’t paid anyone to play my music so far.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I think holographic concerts are a great idea as long as we are unable to attend a proper concert – or if it’s too far away to attend in person. Will it replace regular concerts? I don’t think so. Part of the appeal is the human interaction between the artists and the audience. I’m not sure about the holographic concerts of dead artists though. Something about that I find quite creepy.
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
I’d sign up and be a spy. I’d be the new female 007. haha!
What is your happy place?
I got a couple: Beach, sunshine, pina colada (anywhere), or I have a little room at home that I call the ‘Control Tower’. That’s where all the creative stuff happens. That’s my real happy place.
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artists based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs? Another factor is mortality.
Would I sell everything? I don’t know. Maybe if I really needed the money or was old and had no plan to do anything further with the material.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s Co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think that could mean to independent artist?
I think there will always be space for great independent music that is not bound or restricted by the demands of large corporations. That being said, large corporations have the capital to endlessly promote their artists above all others. That’s the real challenge, not the quality of the music but in squeezing it through the fog of everything else and oftentimes with no or v little marketing budget.
The British government, buoyed by early good news on a brisk roll-out of vaccinations in the UK, set out a roadmap that, as things stand, would see the re-opening of large music events in the UK, with no audience limit, on June 21. Live Nation and its subsidiary, Festival Republic, didn’t hang about after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made this announcement on Monday (February 22).
The companies quickly announced that their Reading & Leeds festival – an annual fest taking place across two locations in the UK with a combined capacity of around 180,000 – would be going ahead between August 27 and 29 this year, and that tickets were on sale.
With this announcement Live Nation; USA wants to follow the lead of Live Nation: UK. If this happens and the live concert start happening this summer, would you be up to playing live shows again and under want precautions, would you like to have it in place?
Definitely up for getting out there. I’m pretty relaxed about most things, so I’d probably be happy with whatever the general requirements of the day were.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity for this interview! I really appreciate it. Great questions as well!
