Guillermo CastroIt’s been long time coming for Rujen. First conceived in 2012 when Ryan Miller (guitar, vocals) and Creighton Perme (guitar) were sophomores at Georgia College, the band originally went by the name Keeva with bassist Charlie Brady and drummer Michael Cornwall forming the group’s rhythm section. Upon graduating, however, the members made the decision to move to Atlanta where they linked up with synth and keys player Nick Hanchey and changed their name to Rujen. Since then, the five-piece have been hard at work, rebuilding their catalog from scratch and playing as many shows as possible.
On Friday, the band will finally reap some of the fruits of their labor when they release their debut EP, Elsewhere. Roughly seven years in the making, the four-song effort showcases a group that molds lush textures and savvy hooks into songs that are sonically adventurous and organic. While I’m generally not a fan of saddling bands with comparisons, a fair parallel would be the immersive headphone music of Grizzly Bear. In other words, these are deeply layered songs full of generous grooves and sprawling instrumentation. But what makes the record especially intriguing is the fact that it was recorded in the band’s home studio without the supervision of an experienced producer.
“The majority of artists that inspire us produce stuff at home, and I think much of what makes them unique is the extra touch of crafting things late at night in the comfort of your own place,” Perme says. “We’re also especially drawn to music with textures and layers that keep the listening experience exciting after several listens. So with that in mind, we knew we wanted to take the DIY approach, even though none of us had any experience with recording or production. After playing together for so many years, we felt we had a clear idea of what we want to sound like.”
For Elsewhere’s final mix, however, the band sought out the services of veteran producer and engineer Jason Kingsland (Deerhunter, Washed Out, Band of Horses) who helped shape the record’s widescreen ambition into a cohesive vision.
Still, though much of the EP’s appeal lies in its impressive sonics and cinematic atmospheres, there’s plenty of human emotion to keep the listener rooted in the moment. At its core, the record is an excavation of loss, self-discovery, and healing, all tethered to the devastating experience of a loved one.
“The structures and skeletons of these four tracks had been fleshed out for quite some time, but really took on a deeper meaning after the sudden passing of my longtime girlfriend’s father in 2017,” Miller explains. “A good portion of the final lyrics were written about a year later and they touch on the hardships experienced in navigating how to best support her and her family through that traumatic experience. For me personally, recording these songs was therapeutic in that it allowed me to vocalize, express, and better understand some of those strong emotions and heartache that I was feeling during that time.”
In their finest moments—such as in the gorgeous, moonlit “Luna” and the dark and anxious title track—the group pair their lavish arrangements with weighty lyrics and melodies that point the way towards the EP’s steadily beating (albeit highly impressionistic) heart. It’s proof that the emerging five-piece can be much more than obsessive purveyors of mood. Instead, Elsewhere is both evocative and emotionally cathartic, a sterling introduction to a band who have been waiting in the wings for quite some time.
Elsewhere is out Aug. 23.
Rujen will celebrate the release of Elsewhere on Thu., Sept. 5 at the EARL alongside A Tower to the Stars and New Tree. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 at the door. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Web: rujenmusic.com
Bandcamp: rujen.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @rujenATL
Instagram: @rujenmusic
Twitter: @rujenmusic