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10 Questions with ... The Rua
April 10, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theruaofficial Twitter: twitter.com/theruaofficial Instagram: instagram.com/roseannaellenbrown Google + plus.google.com/+Therua/posts YouTube: twitter.com/theruaofficial
The Rua are an English trio made up of brother and sisters Roseanna Brown, Alanna Brown, and Jonathan Brown. They are best known for their percussive guitar style, rock genre, and thematic lyrics. Alanna plays the piano, Roseanna provides the vocals and Jonathan plays the violin and fiddle. On their debut album, "Essence", they have collaborated with London bassist Nigel Harrison and Portishead drummer Clive Dreamer and released the hit Hot AC singles "Fight For What's Right" and "Without You." Their 2017 release is titled "Fire And Lies."
All have had roles in various films. All three appeared in the film "Stormbreaker". Alanna has appeared in "Closer" and four Harry Potter movies. Roseanna appeared in three Harry Potter films, "Snow White and The Huntsman" and "Thor." Jonathan appeared in one Harry Potter movie and in the film "Dark Shadows."
1. You've now had some success at radio with your hit songs "Without You" and "Fight For What's Right." What was the inspiration for your new single "Fire And Lies?"
"Fire and Lies" is about people who are false and who lie to you. You've caught them out and yet, they still believe their lie they and they belittle you. You know that you're stronger than them and you will succeed in what you really put your mind to no matter the obstacles they may put in your way or if they make you feel like you are being left on the side.
2. Please tell us about the moment you first decided to start playing music and starting this group?
We have always played music and we come from a very musical Irish family. When we were younger, we took part in competitions in singing and piano in Ireland, we were also in choirs together and studied music. Then about five years ago, we decided that we enjoyed playing together far much more than on our own. We also found that when working together our songs became better and it all just fit into place perfectly!
3. Please tell us about your recent tour. What were some favorite venues and/or crowds?
We played some cool concerts before Christmas last year in association with some fantastic radio stations. We supported Train and Parachute in Omaha playing our very first arena which was amazing and something we will never forget. There were about 4,000 people and Jonathan asked them to turn on the lights on their phone for one song, it was so cool to see.
We played quite a few gigs with Blue October and Wrabel who we love. We also visited a radio station in Detroit to play for them. We were setting up and played just a little acoustic set and then we were asked to play their show that evening, That was such a cool spontaneous moment which we loved! Every crowd is amazing and different we couldn't just pick one!
4. If they had a "tour wish list" which bands or artists would you like to go out on the road with?
Oh my goodness, I don't know where we would even start to answer this question? It depends. Ed Sheeran would be great to tour with or Lorde, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry - her shows look like such fun. We would all say Taylor Swift as well! Can you just give us options and we will go do them all? :)
5. What's it been like being siblings in a band together? Do you ever fight about silly things? Your parents must be very supportive?
We have extremely supportive parents and they are very proud of us. As musicians themselves, they always wanted to see us succeed. We are just like every other family, we have our moments of silly bickering but it's forgotten quickly. We have a lot of fun together so it's more laughing at each other! Travelling together as a band and family has brought us even closer together.
6. You've all acted in big movies like the Harry Potter films and Thor. Please tell us about this experience? Do you have any future film projects in the works?
We enjoyed it so so much! It's a lot of waiting around, but it's one of the best experiences we have ever had. Everyone on set is so lovely and it's like being a part of a big family. In fact, we still keep in contact and meet up with our friends from Harry Potter all the time!
We have had a few other little bits and pieces turn up,
Roseanna - "Thor 2" was great fun and was with all main cast, who were all lovely.
Alanna - I was in a scene in 'Allied' and did a little bit of 'The Crown', however, we are full force ahead with music at the moment with our new single out and we are super excited about that.
Jonathan - I was in the party scene in 'Dark Shadows' with Johnny Deep, Eve Green & Alice Cooper. The set was incredible! It was such a great day!
7. You recently met and performed for former Vice President Al Gore's Climate Reality Network which was streamed on-line and televised in more than 100 countries to more than 225 million households around the world. Please tell us how this opportunity came about and what it was like meeting with the former Vice President?
We met a wonderful woman called Julie when we were in Los Angeles through our PR company and she thought we would be brilliant to perform. It was such a great opportunity and we were thrilled that we were asked! We had literally 90 seconds to set everything up and then play live.
The event was held in Liberty State Park which had the most incredible view of Manhattan. Former VP Al Gore was lovely. He watched us perform and came up to us after, thanked us for taking part and said he loved our music and will be listening to more of it! What a nice surprise that was!!
8. How are you using social networks to market your music and keep your fans involved?
We use various forms of social media outlets to keep in touch with our fans. We use Snapchat, Instagram, Instagram Stories & Facebook etc. We try and put the same content on each, for those fans who may not have all of the apps. We also have lots of footage on our phones that we have been putting together to put up as Video Tour Diaries on YouTube.
9. Please describe your experience the first time you heard your song on the radio?
That was in Denver Colorado. We were there to do a gig with Michael Franti and A Great Big World. Jonathan and Roseanna turned on the radio and we were playing! It was so surreal and we were so excited!!
Jonathan - I first heard 'Without You' in The Corner Bakery in Los Angeles. I was standing in line and I thought I was losing my mind when I heard Roseanna singing. I shouted "IT'S THE SONG", people gave me a strange look and when I told the cashier that it was my song playing on the radio she just looked at me and said "Your total will be $8" which I found rather amusing.
10. What are the biggest changes you would like to see happen in the music industry?
New artists and bands should be given more of a chance. Audiences are so willing for new music and so the industry should be too. People can pay for social media numbers now and there are so many amazing acts being lost between it all because the industry is scared to put its neck out and build an artist/band.
Also some concert tickets are really expensive. We know costs have to be covered, but you want your fans to be able to come and see a live show. We all love music and are here to share our stories with everyone and connect that's the main thing, we all LOVE music.
Bonus Questions
So far, what experience has really stood out to you as a performer?
We had a gig in Saginaw and the audience knew all the words! We still get shocked when they do! It was amazing, the people were just amazing! Audiences are so receptive of new music now and we love that because they give us a chance. We cannot thank every audience enough for giving us a chance and listening to us.
Playing our first arena, The Baxter Arena in Omaha! It was amazing, the thrill of it, the nerves and then getting up there and seeing just a blur of people. There were about 4,000 people and when Jonathan asked the audience to switch their phone camera lights on it looked incredible!
Jonathan - The Baxter Arena in Omaha was a stand-out moment for me. It's been a dream of mine to play an arena since I was a child. It was such an incredible feeling to stand on a stage and see a sea of people in front of you!
Do you have any good road stories you'd like to share?
Recently we have been in the air more than on the road. However, when we were driving through the midwest we stopped off at a drive-thru fast food restaurant. Jonathan was ordering over the mic and the person taking the order loved his accent so much that he was asked to read out various items on the menu and we were given loads of free food!
Who are some of the artists we might find on some of your playlist now?
Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Wrabel, The 1975, Dua Lipa, Adele, Chainsmokers, Coldplay, Lorde, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, John Mayer, Rag 'n' Bone Man, Ellie Goulding, Lana Del Rey, Biffy Clyro.
There is so much great music being released at the moment I think we need more memory on our phones!
What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you during a performance, in an interview, or at an artist meet & greet?
Roseanna - I stood on stage and started talking to the audience, went and got my guitar and Jonathan hit play for our drum track and my guitar wasn't working. I stopped everything, in front of a crowd of about 2,500 people. Then I realized I hadn't plugged my guitar in! So I declared myself an idiot to everyone and we all had a nice laugh!
Jonathan - During an interview on a red carpet we were introducing ourselves and I said that I was the middle child when in fact Roseanna is. I looked confused when Roseanna corrected me because for a few seconds I was convinced in my head that I was the middle child.
Apparently Alanna hasn't done anything embarrassing yet. Ha! Ha! There is still time, we will update you when that happens.
How have you all grown as a band since you started? What have you learned along the way?
We have grown closer as a family and as a band. Being family we are close anyway but now it's different. We make the same friends along the way and have the same crazy experiences together. Also we understand more now that you need to just relax and go with the flow of things, the music industry can be very last minute and sometimes long hours but you just have to enjoy it because it's a once in a lifetime experience.
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