Joburg-born, Naarm/Melbourne-based pianist, guitarist and singer-songwriter Ruby Gill (she/they) magicks her “melancholic lyrical wizardry” (When The Horn Blows) into an affecting new single and video ‘Some Kind Of Control’, an arrestingly minimalist introspection on what it feels like to simultaneously feel utterly in, and out, of control – “the most perfect way to start sharing a new chapter of music.”
Earmarking a new chapter of self-acceptance and musical rawness for the acclaimed artist, ‘Some Kind Of Control’ reflects an assuredness and an unflinching honesty that can only come with time, and a dedication to going to the end of every feeling. It was inspired by the all new freedom and day-to-day power Ruby Gill suddenly had during Naarm/Melbourne’s extensive lockdown while simultaneously, like so many others, wrestling with an absolute lack of control over the circumstances – a duality she hadn’t experienced before. Ruby Gill shares, “I had been grappling with what it meant to have all and no control over my time and body – all at once. In a big way, the world was in charge, but also in a day-to-day way, I had all the power: I could move freely through my kitchen and clothes and kindness however I wished – it was a new experience for me after feeling quite trapped in some difficult spaces and systems for a long time – “always babysitting other people’s arguments instead of my own” as the lyrics say. I feel like this song encompasses so much of what I’ve learnt and reclaimed in the past few years, and feels very reflective musically of my true, silly, powerful self and community.”
Sonically mirroring the lilting inner turmoil of the song’s lyrics, almost as if fighting with itself, ‘Some Kind of Control’ was recorded with trusted collaborator Tim Harvey (Ella Hooper, Jade Imagine), and features tightly reigned-in production and suitably tense instrumentation courtesy of Ruby Gill’s spanning electric guitar, Jess Ellwood on drums and Lewis Coleman on bass, and a heavenly backing vocal choir featuring Annie-Rose Maloney, Hannah McKittrick, Angie McMahon, and Olivia Hally (Oh Pep!). Its music video, directed by Bridgette Winten (Maple Glider, Angie McMahon, Winten), showcases freeing and free-flowing vignettes that were filmed on real black and white film.
