DJ Ruby is one of the most prolific dance music artists that has loomed from the party island of Malta, amassing a worldwide fan base that follows him unconditionally. A devoted ambassador of the underground progressive house scene, mostly renowned for delivering flawless hypnotic journey sets with a solid groove and a positive party vibe wherever he performs.
Balance Selections 220: DJ Ruby
Tracklisting:
01. Matias Carafa – Male (Gaspar Aguilera & Manu Pavez Remix)
02. TEIAO – Spacewalker
03. Sam Scheme – She Was Born To Be Free
04. ZAHNA – Snowy
05. ZAHNA – Clover
06. Paul Hamilton & Cathy K – Hephaestus
07. M.E.T.A.N.O.I.A. – Airplane
08. Gui Milani – End Of Line (Gorkiz Remix)
09. Gorkiz & Gaston Sosa – All Night Long
10. Da Luka & Aman Anand – Mythical Creatures (Golan Zocher & Kamilo Sanclemente Remix)
11. EANP pres. NICØ – Moon Phases (Alan Cerra Remix)
12. Hoten – Back To Life
13. Matias Ocano – Gray (DJ Ruby Remix)
14. NuFects – Wake UP (Gorkiz & Nobilis Remix)
15. Juan Erbin – Be Your Future (Matias Delongaro Remix)
16. Sebastian Sellares – Renaissance
Balance Selections Q+A
Name: Reuben Grima
Location: Malta
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Alias/Producer name: DJ Ruby
Labels affiliated with: Mango Alley, Movement, Droid9, Transensations, Aboriginal, Warpp, SLC-6, SkyTop
My last 3 releases:
Hobin Rude – It Was And It Will (DJ Ruby Remix)
Kamilo Sanclemente – Fragma (DJ Ruby Remix)
Alexey Sonar & DJ Ruby – Connection (Original Extended Mix
What music did you listen to as a child?
Music has always been a pivotal part of my life as both my parents are musicians. They were very popular in my country as a duo, so when I was a little boy I was always with them hoping from one gig to another with them. This passion for music has been certainly passed on to me.
When was the first time that you realised that you liked electronic music?
Age 13 in 1990, Listening to Technotronic’s ‘Pump Up The Jam‘ on the radio! I was hooked instantly. I started to record on cassette tapes anything coming out from the radio that was electronic music. Eventually, it didn’t take me long to start buying vinyl.
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
It was in 1991, at a club in Malta called Axis. I was mesmerised! I Instantly knew that I wanted to a DJ, and to be in control of the music. Just a few years later I was the resident DJ of that very same club.
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
Right from the beginning of my career I discovered and fell in love with progressive house and progressive trance. A sound which was synonymous with two names; Sasha & John Digweed! Yes they were my main inspiration! Another artist that really inspired me was Simon Posford. I remember hearing for the first time a Shpongle album, which is one of his acts… I was like this man in a genius!
Shpongle – Nothing Lasts… But Nothing Is Lost
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
During COVID I’ve become a vinyl junkie again! I’m constantly buying vinyl records, I regularly spend hours digging for music on Discogs! Last 12 inch record I bought was ‘Take A Trip’ by Alan Dixon on Life & Death.
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
All my production gear is digital, I use solely VSTs and my DAW of choice is Ableton Live. My favourite synths are NI’s Massive for baselines and Diva for melodies. In the DJ booth my set up of choice is 3 or 4 Pioneer CDJs 3000 and a Pioneer DJM-900NX2 mixer. Recently been also doing some one-off vinyl sets, in this case I opt for the classic set up which consists of 2 x technics turntables and a Pioneer mixer.
What releases do you have on the horizon?
Out on the 7th of October on SLC-6 music, is my single ‘Apollo’, which was previously available only in a compilation. Now it comes as a full release, featuring remixes by Golan Zocher, Indigo Man and Tenet Audio. A week later on October 14th I have remix for Darren Bray coming out on Pro B Tech. Then between the end of the year and early 2023, I have more remixes coming out on Freegrant, Onedotsixtwo and 3rd Avenue.
Where can we hear you perform?
I’m constantly touring, and in between I try to host bi-monthly parties in my country. Coming up, I have my own event Ruby & friends in Malta on October 15th with GMJ & Matter. Followed by a double bill at ADE in Amsterdam, then I head to Colombia for a month long tour which I’m really looking forward to.
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
As I do for every guest mix, I produced this session for Balance on Ableton Live. I put a lot of time into compiling sets, I always re-edit all music, add on loops, fx, very similar approach like producing a track. This set really represent myself, and features the same powerful progressive flow of the DJ sets I do at clubs and events. All the tracks included in the set are not released yet, and are most are exclusives sent to me directly for the artists themselves.
My Recommendations
Beyaz Darin – Atlas (Nicolas Benedetti Remix)
A beautiful remix by Nicolas Benedetti! Been using it as my closing track in my recent shows.
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
This is a very difficult question! As all my heart and soul goes into every track or remix I do. But, let me play it safe, I’ll give a shout out to my first production, from nearly 17 years ago! A beaks track called ‘Pure Stimulation’!
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
I do have a one track, which is my life’s anthem! OTT – Aubergine Of The Sun
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
Man vs Bee on Netflix. Very simple movie, but hilarious!
My favourite TV show:
I do watch a lot of documentaries, usually before i go to bed. Anything from the Planet Earth series are my all time favourites.
