Face The Music: Ruby Kush – One Year On.

Meet Ruby Kush.

Christchurch’s own Rebecca Robin is the voice behind the name — a singer-songwriter blending raw emotion with cosmic vibes.

Her debut album Stardust dropped last year, a journey through heartbreak, healing, and the kind of empowerment you feel in your bones. From gut-punch ballads to hands-in-the-air anthems, every track hits different.

We asked Ruby what it’s really like releasing an album (and video) into the world — and what’s on the horizon.

 You’re one year on from your debut album release—how does it feel looking back?

Looking back, I honestly think this has been one of the most massive years of my life—not just musically, but personally too. I’ve been making music and performing for years, but this past year since releasing my debut EP has shifted everything. I’ve stepped into mentorships I never dreamed I’d have access to. I’ve built relationships with people in the industry I deeply respect, and I feel like my songwriting has evolved—it’s more thoughtful, more refined, and more *me*.  

Being a mum has meant I’ve had to pause music at times, but this season feels like real momentum. I used to be nervous about things like being on TV or filming music videos, but now I actually enjoy it. I’m more confident, I have fun with the process, and I think that shows up in my live performances too. 

Last year, I was pre-nominated for a Waiata Reo Māori Music Award for my song *Only You*—just being acknowledged like that meant a lot. I’ve also been working on some exciting (and still unreleased) collaborations, including a track produced by the legendary Greg Haver. That one also involves two members from the band Cast Away, who laid down the guitar for the song. It’s been such an affirming process creatively and personally. I’ve had the privilege of creating a bilingual track with Henare Kaa from Dillastrate as well. Henare also mentored me through the Waiata Reo Incubator, which was a pivotal experience—it’s helped expand my Te Reo Māori and deepen my sense of identity as an artist and songwriter. 

And honestly, one of the most surreal full-circle moments is seeing myself on Juice TV every day. As a millennial who grew up watching MTV and dreaming of being on music TV, it’s absolutely wild—and deeply humbling—to have that dream come true. 

What was the very first spark or moment that made you want to make this album?

Before the EP, I’d released a song called *13 Reasons Why (No Light)*—which was really confronting and raw. At one point, I didn’t even want to perform it anymore—it was heavy, and it felt like a lot to carry. But then I performed it at Paint in the Park, an event for suicide prevention, and something shifted. I saw how much it meant to people. It reminded me that even if something is hard to share, it can still be deeply needed. I also perform it at Hope Walk, and those moments of connection really grounded the song’s purpose for me. Suicide prevention is an important kaupapa of mine.

That experience sparked a question: I’ve written about depression and suicide—but what does it look like to write about healing? What comes after the grief and the pain? That’s when *13 Reasons After a Loss* came to me. From there, the rest of the EP started to take shape. I’d heard the beat for *Stardust*, and I consciously decided to write from a place of hope and evolution. 

The songs really follow a journey. *13 Reasons Why (No Light)* is the pain and the questioning. Then songs like *Inside Out*, *Stardust*, *Only You*, and *Oracle* show the process of healing and remembering your worth. It’s not linear, but it is layered. Making this EP was about processing everything I’d been through, but also creating something that could walk people out of the darkness with me. 

At the core of it all, I’m a creative. I needed to make this—to survive, to heal, and to grow. 

Ruby Kush is such a distinctive name—what’s the story behind it, and how does it represent your music?

The name holds layers—like everything in my life, it started with a cause and grew into something much deeper. 

I’ve always been a hikoi baby—raised in the rhythm of protest marches, community calls to action, and standing up for people’s rights. In my early 20s, I found myself working at The Daktory in West Auckland and the High Tea Café, both spaces connected to cannabis law reform. That’s where I first took on the name **Dakta Boo**—a code name of sorts—and started emceeing under the name Emcee Boo. It was a time of fire and learning, of political movement and musical expression. 

The name “Ruby” came by accident—people misheard “Rebecca” so often that it just started to stick. And the “Kush”? That was deliberate. It was about reclaiming something stigmatised. For me, Kush symbolises healing, resistance, softness, and strength. It’s a nod to the years I’ve spent in the reform space, challenging narratives. Because music *is* political. My earliest songs were about the TPPA and global injustice—I’ve never separated art from action. 

Ruby Kush became more than a name. It became a mask I could step into when I needed protection, a persona that could carry the weight of my message when I couldn’t. It gave me the courage to speak—and sing—my truth. Now, the mask has almost become my face. I’m not hiding behind it anymore. I’m growing into it.

What’s it like having produced an album and video—has there been anything that you would never have predicted happening a year ago?

It’s such a huge accomplishment, and I think sometimes we forget how big it actually is—to have a finished body of work out in the world. Producing an EP is no small thing. There are so many invisible challenges behind the scenes—time, cost, access—and getting a single song out can be hard enough, let alone a full set. So to have done that, and done it on my own terms, really means something to me. 

I never could have predicted the level of support I’d receive. New Zealand On Air and the NZ Music Commission have backed me in ways I never imagined, and that kind of recognition from the wider music community is deeply encouraging. It feels like I’m being seen not just as an artist, but as someone with something to say. 

Toi Ōtautahi has also been a big part of that journey—their mentorship and support have helped me grow not just as a musician, but as a creative force rooted in Ōtautahi. I was also lucky to receive an amazing deal on poster runs through Phantom to promote the EP, and that really helped elevate my 

visibility and platform in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Those kinds of boosts make a huge difference for independent artists. 

I’ve been intentional about filming locally, too. Both *Inside Out* and *Only You* were filmed in Christchurch by Richard Lewis, using familiar spaces that feel authentic to me. *Inside Out*, especially, has had a huge impact—I’m a music and arts tutor, and my students absolutely adore that video. Being able to show them that it’s possible to follow your creative dreams—and still keep your feet on the ground—is one of the most rewarding parts. 

And recently, Chris Lynch published a really lovely article about me. It was unexpected, but it reminded me how all these pieces—music, visuals, community, storytelling—are starting to resonate. It’s all building toward something bigger. 

What can we look forward to next from Ruby Kush?

Right now, I’m in the early stages of planning the music video for *Stardust*, which I’m really excited about. I’ve chosen some iconic Christchurch locations that reflect both the celestial vibe of the song and my connection to this city. It’s going to be special.

In terms of new music, I’ll be releasing tracks as they’re ready. I’m not putting pressure on a fixed timeline for the album—it’s a bigger body of work, and I want to give it the time it deserves. I’d say a year, maybe two, but in the meantime, you can definitely expect some singles to drop. One should be out this year, and another next year, both from the upcoming album. 

I’ve also got a live show planned in Tāmaki Makaurau around the 20th of November (dates to be confirmed), at the Whakamana Cannabis Museum. Performing there is a full-circle moment for me given my background in cannabis law reform, and I’m really looking forward to connecting with people in that space—through music, kaupapa, and kōrero. 

I also just want to take a moment to say thank you—to **Phantom**, for their support and the incredible opportunity to get my EP out into the world visually, and to everyone who has given me space over the past year. Whether it was through radio play, interviews, articles, or just opening the door for a conversation—it’s meant more than I can say. As an independent artist, every single opportunity feels massive, and I’ve been so grateful for all the love, coverage, and encouragement I’ve received. It’s been an amazing ride so far, and I’m really excited for what’s still to come.

To stay in the loop, jump here for all things Ruby Kush.