Tony Cummings quizzed the mainstream's MARK RUEBERY about his music and debut album

Mark Ruebery

Mark Ruebery is a Welsh purveyor of classy pop rock music who has already received accolades from a clutch of industry big wigs, including the legendary Muff Winwood. His debut album 'Because Of You', recorded at Rockfield Studios (Queen, Coldplay) and co-produced with Nick Brine (The Darkness, Oasis), is a powerful item indeed. Cross Rhythms' reviewer described the project thus, "This is an album of poppy, optimistic songs which showcase, as you would expect of a true Welshman, a warm and soulful voice of no little quality. . . An artist to keep an eye on."

To do just that we threw a batch of questions at the emerging mainstream star. First off, we asked him about his background. He responded, "I was born in Newport, South Wales. I had a pretty normal but good family upbringing. My father was a big music fan and listened to a lot of great bands like the Beatles, The Stones, Focus, ELO, etc which obviously was a big influence on me and introduced me to music. I started the piano about seven years old but soon had the guitar calling while listening to Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mark Knopfler, etc. I've always believed in God but I officially became a Christian when I was 16 years old at my local church in Newport after an outing with a youth group. At that time I was searching for answers and the truth, and I found them."

Mark is a graduate from The Royal Welsh College Of Music And Drama and it was there that he made his first serious musical venture with the jazz-tinged aggregation The Mark Ruebery Band. Said Mark, "We were all in lots of bands, but officially we got together in 2001 and it lasted a good three years. In 2003 we went from a four piece to a three piece after record company advice and eventually solo. I'm still very friendly with the guys; I used them recently to record some B sides." During their time together MRB recorded some videos for Granada's Showcase TV. "We went down to the studios with a crowd and recorded three tracks for them. It was good fun and a great experience. BMG's Nick Raymond saw it as a result and showed a lot of interest in us."

Mark's solo career developed after record label advice from BMG and Sony's Muff Winwood. Explained Mark, "It all kicked off when one of my demos got up to Rockfield Studios and they let me do some recordings. They always saw me as a solo artist and it's remained that way ever since."

In July last year mainstream company LPW Records released Mark's single "It Goes And Comes Around", described as "the kind of number that could make your average British motorway instantly transformed into Route 66, an anthem made for driving with the window down, foot on the floor." Although it was radio friendly it didn't pick up the airplay and so the subsequent release of the 'Because Of You' album didn't set the tills alight. Q magazine even gave it a poor review, about which Mark commented, "Nobody likes a negative review but everyone's entitled to their opinion. I've had so many good reviews I can't be disappointed."

Mark has fond memories about the 'Because Of You' sessions. "Nick (Brine) is a good friend so we had some great moments, but the sessions were tough mainly because we had time and budget against us which put the pressure on. It was great to record up Rockfield with all its history and use all the old compressors, Neve desk etc... After hearing the finished result, it was all worth it!" Mark is still positive about the project, particularly the song "Something Opens Windows". He commented, "It recorded well and didn't need much work to get it to sound great. I think it's the big single on the album."

Now Mark is hard at work crafting new songs. "At the moment I am working on an EP which will then lead to a second album, so I'm busy writing as we speak." Despite working in the mainstream with all its temptations and glittering prizes, Mark's Christianity remains a hugely important thing to the singer/songwriter. He said, "My faith is my rock. Without it I would be lost. In these dark times and with a tough road ahead it's very important to me. I couldn't do it alone."