After The Rubens’ single ‘Hoops’ was voted #1 song for Triple J's Hottest 100 in January, lead singer Sam Margin went into shock.
“We didn't believe it,” Sam says two days after the Hottest 100 count.
“I don't think anyone believed it, still. We've talked to a bunch of different people since, friends and industry people, everyone seems to be telling us that it is as big as we think. And we never thought about it until we won it. It's huge.”
But The Rubens aren’t resting on their laurels. The band will headline the Groovin the Moo festivals later this year. “I'm definitely excited. Friends of ours who’ve done it before, they told us when you stand in front of the crowds, they’re always massive. Every single Groovin the Moo I've seen, the crowds are huge. I'm really excited about that, it'll be really fun.”
The Rubens is a Margin family affair, with three brothers and a cousin making up the line-up. But Sam assures us “it's not like a Gallagher situation. We're pretty honest with each other. We don't beat around the bush.
“It's probably good, because in a lot of bands, people who aren't siblings are a bit coy when they talk about creative or emotional things. Whereas we can just be straight up with each other, that's how shit gets done. If there's any issue it's over as soon as it starts. I feel like it's actually better.”
Sam feels his band’s style has evolved, due in no small part to their increased exposure. “I think we're not as restricted. When we were making the second record, throughout a lot of the songs and the writing, we felt restricted by the first record, which I'm sure is very common.
“We were trying to straddle the line, keeping old fans happy and trying to gain new ones. Giving people something they expect but also trying to develop our sound at the same time. We didn't dwell on it too much, I think it was a natural progression for the most part.
“We were definitely way more open to new sounds [with the 'Hoops'] record; we spent a lot of the time trying new instruments. There were keyboards going through pedals, and new guitar pedals entirely. On the last record, every guitar was basically a tremolo because we had no money.
“We [then] got paid for the last record, and a lot of what we did buy was fun instruments. Zaac the guitarist has shitloads of pedals now. he can have heaps of fun, which is awesome.
“Probably one of the best things about ['Hoops'] is that we were able to just experiment. If you listen to it, I know we sound like The Rubens, but hopefully guitarists and drummers listen to it and realise how much work we've put into the way the instruments sound. I think every song has a standout instrument.”
Written by Justin Smareglia
The Rubens GTM Tour Diary
Sat 23 Apr - Groovin the Moo @ Maitland Showground (NSW)Sun 24 Apr - Groovin the Moo @ University of Canberra (ACT)
Mon 25 Apr - Groovin the Moo @ Oakbank Racecourse (SA)
Sat 30 Apr - Groovin the Moo @ Bendigo’s Prince Of Wales Showground (VIC)
Sun 1 May - Groovin the Moo @ Murray Sports Complex – Townsville Cricket Grounds (QLD)
Sat 7 May - Groovin the Moo @ Hay Park (WA)
The Rubens Hoops Tour Dates
Fri 10 Jun - Eatons Hill Hotel (Brisbane)Sat 11 Jun - The Tivoli (Brisbane)
Sat 18 Jun - Metro City (Perth)
Fri 24 Jun - Hordern Pavilion (Sydney)
Sat 25 Jun - Margaret Court Arena (Melbourne)
