Ruthann Springle

Springle's first CD is the BE all. It's always a joy to find new talent, to be confronted with a strong, fully realized vision in a debut offering. This is definitely the case with Beach singer/songwriter Ruthann Springle's debut CD called simply Be: Two years in the making by her own admission Be is a collection of 10 songs that aptly demonstrate the time and care that went into this CD. The opening piece, 'Lenore' has a Jimmy Webb feel to it with its musical diversity and odd but interesting choice of topics. 'Life is Hard' is a song about personal misery, but with an uplifting chorus and a second half that refuses to lay blame because "I want more." 'Be', the title cut with its softly almost spoken verse and soaring chorus, talks about living with no illusions and no expectations. (Listen to the wonder ful violin fillers by Hugh Marsh.) If the CD wanted a hit then 'Run to You' is it. It's a hymn, to say the least, but the joy Springle writes about in the chorus is so perfectly set to the music that it will have you singing this song the rest of the day. Another uplifter is 'You've Got a Way'. With its playful guitar work and lyrics, it's a lighthearted song paying homage to radio hits of the past. All is not sweetness and light, though, and if you're expecting for this CD to he a collection of top-40 hits a la Shania Twain, then you'd be selling Springle short. Listen to 'Hooked' if you want to hear a powerful song about a girl in love with a junkie: "And I'm caught between/What's good and bad/I want to leave?/But I'll make you mad." And ending the CD is a song called 'Daisy Girl' a love song to a lost child: "What I would not give/For one more moment." Springle plays the piano and sings ('ad vocals On all the cuts. She is also backed by a great group of musicians; Gary Craig, drums, Sheryl Okrant who plays some wonderful cello, Ron Korb, flute, and a whole hunch more. Many of the cuts were recorded "live off the floor" at the studio by engineer Danny Greenspoon. This is Springle's first serious foray into recording although she has been singing songs for years. Be is available at Sound City in the Beach for $17.95, or you can have a listen at www.mp3.com. She also mentioned that an e-mail to Springle@ primus.ca will get you a chance to order autographed copies as well as keep up-to-date on live performances. A CD launch is planned for sometime early in the new year. - Bill MacLean

Viruszine Interview

Virus: What do you hope to achieve with this career?

Ruthann: I intend on achieving a self-sustaining music career....yikes......what a question.....I want it all....doing my passion, giving something memorable to people, communicating something that makes people think and inspires them some way.....to be all you can be...I think music has the power to cause that for people.....

Virus: What kind of obstacles have you encountered on your way?

Ruthann: People's conversations about the music industry, "It's so hard......Je suis malade...." and people wanting me to prove myself when I think they should be having a national holiday in my honour....I think that what you say is what you get....to quote myself, "Life is hard, ain't it the truth when you believe it". I am not interested in peoples' doubts, resignation and cynicism.

Virus: You are a very strong independent woman, do you feel you're spreading that to your female fans?

Ruthann: I have two daughters. I want them to know that they can have whatever they are willing to go for. I would not be a very good example to them, if I did not practise what I preach. So the empowering women thing hits close to me because I want them to be empowered by my life. I want that for all people. I know men who are just as hungry for empowerment as women, although women have historically got the short end of the stick. I like the idea of empowerment being genderless in my conversations because when you say women need to be empowered, you are creating with your words the very problem you wish to solve.

Virus: I agree wholeheartedly, I just recently challenged my views on it during a contemporary moral issues class I was taking.

Ruthann: How so?

Virus: When I approached this issue before I took this class, I saw the word empowerment to embody females more than males. I have learned that by challenging a social norm in a negative sense, it only adds to the problem. By going about empowerment as everyone's equal right, it changes to a genderless term.

Ruthann: Bravo

Virus: Thank you, it was actually a difficult thing, since I felt that way for so long.

Ruthann: I understand....it keeps us victims, don't you think?

Virus: I really do.

Virus: Do you involve your family in your career?

Ruthann: My kids want to go on the road, and my husband has been my manager and promoter as well, he is a teacher and I have a coaching practice. My family is very very close. We adore our time together. They are my favourite people in the world.

Virus: Changing topics dramatically....tell me about recording BE...it is, in my opinion, a very beautiful album.

Ruthann: Wow...where to start....I have written hundreds of songs.....and played for thousands of people over the last ten years. I made a promise to myself that I would release my first record when my daughter hit grade one. She is finishing grade one now, so I met my deadline. My time was freed up and I was surrounded by some great talent. The guy, who will remain nameless, who was going to help me produce the record bailed at the last minute. I felt like a bird kicked out of the nest. It was the best thing that could have happened. I became producer, writer, singer, player. I had never produced a record before, so I asked for advice from people I respected like Danny Greenspoon who helped me record. He was very kind and generous and helpful to me. It took me two years to figure it out, and the decisions were agonizing....much like giving birth....but with this, you have a thousand options and no one is telling you what the right choice is. I had to just choose and go with my gut, and then let it go. Thank you very much.

Virus: You are awesome, all the songs are yours, but do the musicians that help you create your sound give input to the music?

Ruthann: They can't help but do so just by the mere fact that no two players play the same. I would say however, that I was given a great deal to work with by their wonderful gifts. It is a union or partnership when you are the producer. You have an idea in your head, you describe it, and then they play something. Sometimes it is exactly what you were hearing, and other times it is not but it is even better than what you were going for in the first place. It is a magical experience. I love it.

Virus: How is your album being received in the scene in Toronto?

Ruthann: Well we have sold close to a thousand copies in 5 months. I have had three awesome reviews, and I am pleasantly delighted with the response. And we are slowly getting the word out. This is where having to prove yourself comes in....it is a big city and people don't know who you are and why should they listen to you? So you have got to find a way to have them listen. Once I have that foot in the door the rest is much easier.

Virus: Be is my new favorite song, what's the background behind it? The music, the lyrics, the energy of it, I love it.

Ruthann: You are going to laugh...that is my woman empowerment song!!!!Virus: It is so fitting.

Virus: What are your favorite local clubs to play?

Ruthann: I have a soft spot for the Reverb and Holy Joes for some personal reasons I am sworn not to divulge.Virus: What are your favorite books?

Ruthann: Henry Knowen, The Wounded Healer, The Bible (sorry, but I love it), Oh the Places You'll Go, Dr. Seuss, The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis

Virus: What are some of the most played albums in your house?

Ruthann: U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind, Wrecking Ball...Emmylou Harris, some French folk music that I can't remember the name of and some Bulgarian folk music I cannot pronounce....I am not good with names but I can describe the cover! We love Leonard Cohen, and For the Beauty of Winona by Daniel Lanois. I also love Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Watch for Ruthann, especially in the Toronto area. Check the main Noise page for info on upcoming shows, CDs, site updates and the like.
- Viruszine

Fresh Tracks

Not unlike Danielle Spencer, Toronto's Ruthann Springle has hints of Kate Bush and Paula Cole. Springle's sparsely produced (it works with this collection) debut album BE plays out with some wonderful results not to mention some very magical moments. The spoken verse on the title track, the playful charm of You've got a way, and the whimsical flare of Lenore, are just some of the albums sweeter sounds. Sheryl Okrant's cello is more than a welcome addition throughout and adds a whole new dimension of emotion to the various cuts she plays on. Run to You has a slightly reminiscent vibe of Ben E. Kings Stand by Me, while the sad and tragic true of a baby who died at birth is the inspiration of the moody and haunting closing track Daisy Girl. "This is not the way I planned it/ And I know I am not in control / but eight years later I'm still screaming / Why did you have to go" Watch for Ruthann Springle at various night clubs throughout the city. BE can be found at Sound City on Queen St. E, and Music Authority on Church Street. You can also contact Ruthann at www.RuthannSpringle.com. By the way I love the quote on the back of the CD: "It took me 2 years to make this CD. If you want to copy it, please send me 20 bucks" You go, girl!
- James Collins

Ruthann Springle's first record is beautifully made. Her quietly stunning songs have a way of getting into the listner's mind. Her eloquent lyrics and fabulous melodies work well together.

The opener "Lenore" is a sad song with a tender melody.

"Life is hard" soars with its hopeful message "Life is the way I say it will be".

By contrast there's the chilling tale of loving an addict on "Hooked".

The title track reminds me of the confessional songs from Paula Cole's debut album. "I've tried to be an intellectual, I've tried to play dumb. I've tried to make you like me" sings Springle.

Vocally Springle is slightly like Cole too. "Be" is a good start for what I think will be a long career.

- Anna Maria Stjarnell