Matters of the Heart – Ruthanne

With a newly released debut album, “Matters of the Heart”, and dates in The Academy in Dublin and in Colours in London, Ruthanne really seems unstoppable right now. With more songwriter credits than any normal human being would know what to do with, you think she’d be happy to rest on her laurels but, thankfully, that is not the case. Ruthanne has created a truly unique concept album split into three distinct themes: Heartbreak, Hope and Love. Now for those that don’t know a concept album is an album featuring a cycle(s) of songs expressing a particular theme or idea. With songs ranging from ‘Take What I Can Get’ to ‘The Vow’, it’s very clear to see where one cycle ends and another begins.

First and foremost, I think it only fair to introduce you all to Ruthanne Cunningham, a gifted singer/songwriter from Donaghmede, a northern suburb of Dublin City. When Ruthanne was still a teenager she was brought to the US where she co-wrote JoJo’s hit single ‘Too Little Too Late.’ However, ‘Too Little Too Late’ isn’t Ruthanne’s only well known writing credit to date. ‘No Control’ and ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’ performed by One Direction, ‘Work Bitch’ performed by Britney Spears, ‘Slow Hands’ and ‘Nice To Meet Ya’ performed by Niall Horan and ‘In the Name of Love’ performed by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha all credit Ruthanne as a co-writer and, earlier this month, she released her debut album “Matters of the Heart”. 

“Matters of the Heart” opens with the song ‘Take My Place,’ a song about the heartbreaking realization that someone else has taken the place of importance in a previous lover’s heart, and ends with ‘Move Me.’ These songs are stark contrasts to one another as ‘Move Me’ is a declaration of love and how finding your place in the world next to the right person was “worth the wait” while the “colours that I never knew came to life when I felt you.” The emotional journey from heartbreak, through hope to new love is painted so beautifully by Ruthanne’s lyrics and vocals. These songs weren’t churned out to fill the track list but, rather, written from experience. Dedicating an album “to all the feck boys who broke my heart” is perhaps the most unique and quintessentially Irish dedication I’ve ever read and that is fitting because Ruthanne is an artist that is truly unique (and every bit of a Dubliner pronouncing the word ‘eyes’ in her spoken verse during “My Mind (Interude)”).

But, of course, this post isn’t just about who Ruthanne is, what she’s written or why you should listen to her new album, it’s also about her most recent visit to The Academy Greenroom in Dublin for her headline gig which she noted is bigger than her previous visit.

With support for the evening provided by Aimée, an up and coming Irish singer/songwriter, arriving early was a huge plus and hearing an acoustic version of her most recent single “Break Me” and her spine tingling cover of Taylor Swift’s “Lover” proved that Aimée is a gifted Irish musician who is ready to tear up the radio waves. To keep up to date with Aimée follow her on Instagram and Twitter and there are also tickets left for her headline show in The Grand Social of November 24th.

Ruthanne is an artist that never fails to deliver a studio level performance. Her strong vocal performance is nearly identical to the finished album versions of her songs with the exception being perhaps a few more vocal riffs to add a little flair, colour and fun to her performances. There were minor mistakes with the music which Ruthanne admitted were due to the fact that there was a new addition to the backing musicians and the new group as a whole could do with more practice together but, to be honest, it took nothing away from the performance. It was easy to see that Ruthanne knows her song backwards and forwards, drumbeats and all, as she reminded her drummer of the correct rhythm for a particular song with ease. She complimented all her musicians and backing singers for their performances and, though the group put together for her live show is new, they worked incredibly well together and I’m looking forward to seeing them perform together again. For her performances of “The Vow” and “Move Me”, the room was completely silent and it really allows you to appreciate not only the performance but also the lyrics. Honestly, during these powerful ballads you’d nearly be afraid to cough and ruin the moment. They really are the epitome of love songs. Singing a medley of the most famous songs she’s written, which included Slow Hands and Too Little Too Late, is an amazing way to remind people that not only does this woman have an unbelievable set of pipes but she has a fantastic lyrical mind. Before “Honest Man”, she reminded her audience that if you have that honest person in your life that you hold onto them, noting that she had hers onstage with her. A performance by Ruthanne doesn’t require elaborate lighting or frills; every song Ruthanne sings grabs and holds the audience’s attention with ease. Personally, I’ve seen Ruthanne perform a few times and, on every occasion, she has been a truly awe inspiring vocalist and a treat for the ears. If I can convince you of one thing today, let it be this: You should listen to Ruthanne! Whether it is live or streaming her album online, she will not disappoint and, who knows, she may even make you a little misty eyed.

After the performance, everyone was given the opportunity to meet Ruthanne. For photos there was a white backdrop covered with white flowers which was also emblazoned with the album logo and the small area even included the white armchair with the stacked tapes seen on the cover of “Matters of the Heart” which I thought was a really nice touch. Ruthanne was so genuinely warm, welcoming and honest, asking audience members what their favourite songs off the album during the meet and greets which she jokingly referred to as market research for her next single and admitting that she was “fecked” on stage. 

Ruthanne’s debut album “Matters of the Heart” is available to download and stream now and, beyond any doubt, the world needs to know about Ruthanne’s singing talent as well as her writing chops. Follow Ruthanne on Instagram and Twitter for all the latest announcements and you may even get to see some really great moments on her Insta-story; my personal favourite was her freak out moment when “The Vow” appeared on ‘Love Island’ so it’s always well worth a watch.