Kama Ruby: Rising BSU star

There's a reason why I've reserved a special corner in BSU for Kama Ruby.  If you read this, her very first BSU interview, visit her website, check  out a show, and follow her tracks (literally) you will understand that reason why she has "property" staked out here.  Take a few moments to listen in on our conversation.  It will give you reason to believe that the "Bakersfield Sound Garden," as I call it, is very much alive and growing more beautiful and vibrant with each passing day, and that Kama Ruby's "korner" of the garden is a really great place to watch the flowers grow. 

Dr BLT: Welcome to your very first Bakersfield Sound Underground interview, let's start with when and where it all began.  Where were you born and raised?

Kama: I was born in Olympia,WA and raised in Bakersfield, CA

Dr BLT:  That's intriguing, born near the hub of grunge, and raised in the capitol of twang, and the birthplace of Korn.  That brings me to my next question: How important do you think geography is to the development of an artist?

Kama: Accidentally important-ha!  I was raised in Bakersfield.   Here I am, a jazz singer with an MFA in Acting, who actually takes clogging dance classes every Tuesday.

Dr BLT:  Great stuff!  What an interesting combination.  Bakersfield exposes artists to such a wide variety of activities, experiences and influences.  And, speaking of influences, what are some of your biggest musical influences?

Kama: Judy Garland made me want to sing.  Joni Mitchell is a brilliant muscian and poet.  Stevie Nicks is my ultimate favorite singer and songwritter. I have always joked that  I am a jazz/chill singer who wishes I were a rocker.  Other influences are Billie Holliday, Paul Rogers and Lindsey Buckingham.

Dr BLT: That's quite a varied myriad of influences, I must say.  Joni Mitchell was born and raised in the town I grew up in, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and the influence of Joni Mitchell has also been noted in another local female, a rising local star named Alyssa Kaess.  Joni Mitchell was introduced to the world in the Johnny Cash show in the 60s, and, in addition to having a great voice, she seems to have pulled off the singular ability to seamlessly integrate the genres of jazz, country and folk, all with her own distinctive creative stamp on it.  And the other artist that you mentioned, what a powerful lot of singers and performers, all distinct, and varied in terms of their own influences. 

How important is it, Kama, for artists to have role models, or other artists who have gone before them that a newly developing artist can draw from?

Kama:  I don't know that it is as important as it JUST IS.  We can't help but be influenced by other artist.  I do some artists fall into the trap of trying to hard to make sure their listeners are aware of who their influences are.  If we are trying to be any good at what we do, we should find an unique and expressive way to communicate to our audiences.

Dr BLT: Great point, Kama.  Now, as you may know, my day job is that of a psychologist, so it should come as no surprise that I am interested in dreams, both in terms of that distinct phenomenon that occurs when we sleep, and in terms of one's aspirations.  So that brings me to this question: How would you describe your musical dreams?

Kama:  I'd like to win a Grammy, and be able to pay off my darn student loans.

Dr BLT: Being incredibly indebted to Sallie Mae, I can totally related to that.  And winning a Grammy, that wouldn't be too shabby either.  Now we're going to move on to another psychological question having to do with motivation.  Kama, what motivates you to create musical recordings and to perform before people?

Kama: I must be certifiably insane.

Dr BLT: Well, that makes two of us, but I have no excuse because I'm a shrink.  Or, maybe that is my excuse.  LOL. 
Now, for another question that's also relating to motivation.  What is your greatest challenge as an artist?

Kama: Paying my bills.

Dr BLT:  Well, that's honest, and that's something I'm sure you share with many a struggling artist out there, especially in these tough economic times.  But I'm sure the struggle, and the experiences that go along with that struggle helps to shape your art.  And that leads me to my next question:  What experiences have be most powerful in shaping you as an artist?

Kama: I was never the "Golden Child", so I had to work a lot harder for anything I achieved as an artist, student, etc.

Dr BLT: Fascinating, a "golden child" with the last name of "Ruby."  That has "treasure" written all over it....Okay, you can groan now.

By the way, Kama, everybody likes to sing about something.  What kinds of things do you like to sing about?

Kama: PASSION, PASSION, and more PASSION. 

Dr BLT:  Well, I think you'll go far with that.  It's something that naturally draws people in and connects them to an artist like yourself.  What's the easiest way folks can learn more about your music and follow your career?

Kama:  The easiest way would be to see my website:

Dr BLT: What are your future plans as it concerns your music?

Kama: Once again, be able to pay off those darn student loans.

Dr BLT: Well, for an artist, and for a dreamer, I must say, you're quite the pragmatist.  Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

Kama: My boyfriend makes the best rigatoni in the world.

Dr BLT: Well, it never hurts to put in a plug for the boyfriend.  LOL.  Without our significant others, as us shrinks like to call them, our lives and struggling artists would be soooooooo much more difficult and challenging.  I've always told my wife, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and I'm sure that's true when it comes to the way to a woman's heart as well. 

So, there you have it folks, Kama Ruby ended her first interview with me, on one of my favorite subjects---food!  And, speaking of food, I hope our interview whetted your appetite for more of Kama and her music.  Here's a little further 411 for you:

Kama ruby wrote:

Dear Friends,
I have a few songs uploaded on my website. My next booking is also uploaded as well.  The link is listed below.  If anyone has trouble connecting to or surfing on my site, please let me know so I can work to solve the problem.



Thanks for visiting Kama's Korner!