Guitarist-vocalist Dan Rubinoff likes to joke that it only took him 50 years to write a good song. But once he did, he knocked out a bunch — 12 of which have landed on Pie Chart of Love, the stellar debut album Rubinoff and his partner, bassist-vocalist Joice Moore, will release on May 10th as the duo RubyJoyful. Crafting their bluegrass- and folk-influenced, Colorado-based Americana sound was more than a two-person endeavor, however. Leftover Salmon’s Drew Emmitt, Rubinoff’s former neighbor, plays mandolin, and Salmon’s Andy Thorn plays banjo. Emmitt’s son, Eli, who grew up playing with Rubinoff’s son while their dads jammed, contributes lead guitar and vocals, while David Alderdice adds drums. Before shifting to Nashville, recording occurred at Mad Dog Ranch & Studios, the legendary Snowmass, Colo., space created by the Eagles’ Glenn Frey (in a pair of log buildings original property owner Jimmy Buffett had built). That’s where they met engineer/co-producer Marc Meeker, who rang up some heavy-hitting Nashville pals — including fiddler Stuart Duncan, dobro players Rob Ickes and Scotty Sanders, pianist Michael Webb, pedal steel player Justin Schipper and percussionist Eric Darken, among others.
Rubinoff, a Pittsburgh native who moved to Colorado for college and never left, built a career as an educator, outdoor guide and avalanche dog trainer, among other pursuits. Moore, who relocated from Albuquerque to join him there after they met online seven years ago, established and runs the nonprofit Healthy Families Colorado. They’re reveling in creating the second chapter of their lives together — including playing beguiling, Garcia- and Prine-influenced music, which Moore had never done before becoming Rubinoff’s partner.
“Joice and I are just livin’ the dream,” Rubinoff says. “We were just playing the local bars, but now we have some good songs — and great people who will play with us.”
Today Glide is excited to premiere the standout track “All My Friends Got More Money Than Me,” a feel-good bluegrass song that seems to defy its title. As if speaking to our time of class division and inflation, the song captures an all-too-real reality and presents it in a loose Americana-grass style that feels jammy and warm. Easygoing vocals resonate while the players layer down acoustic bluegrass textures to make for the kind of song best enjoyed with a drink in hand on a sunny Sunday afternoon of a summer festival.
“This is a true story, at least it was for most of our lives. It was easy to write, because we lived it for so many years. You can’t make this shit up as they say. Everyone in the audience thinks it’s their song.”
LISTEN:
The post SONG PREMIERE: RubyJoyful Tap Into Our Current Times with Warm Americana-grass Tune “All My Friends Got More Money Than Me” appeared first on Glide Magazine.
