Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with The Rua

The Rua are heating up the airwaves with their new single, “Gasoline”. The infectious track asks the question: are the people and relationships in our lives right for us? While we may not know the answer to that, we do know for sure that The Rua are a sibling band to keep your eyes and ears on. Pop Culturalist recently caught up with Alanna, Jonathan, and Roseanna, a.k.a. The Rua, to chat about their exciting career and what’s ahead.

PC: How did you all discover your passion for music?
The Rua: Well, it happened at birth. [laughs] We had singing lessons, piano lessons, and violin lessons growing up. Our family is very musical—especially the Irish side—so we grew up in and around it, and it never really left us. When we were younger, we had all those lessons and also participated in competitions in Ireland; we sang in school choirs and theatre productions. We’ve just done music all the time growing up.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Gasoline”. What inspired the track?
The Rua: “Gasoline” is about any relationship—whether that’s with a partner or a friend—and you’re not sure if it’s good or bad for you. There’s something about it that keeps you in it, but it could end well or it could end up burning in flames. That’s what the song is about. It wasn’t based on any particular experience—we just imagined the scenario. Late one night, I had a tune in my head, and then the next morning I wrote it. That was the first time I’d written a song which wasn’t about a personal experience. But, you never know, we might be able to relate to it later on in life. I can relate to it in certain aspects, otherwise I don’t think I’d be able to sing it, but I liked that it was a new way of writing.

We do like to put personal experiences into our songs, but not too much as we’d like people to have their own interpretations. It varies but I think you do need it as well to get across a good story.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success in your careers. When you look back, is there a particular moment that sticks out to you?
The Rua: It has to be performing at the O2 Arena. It’s such an iconic venue in our home town and all the major acts come through London. There are so many amazing things we’ve been lucky to do. When we go over to America, we absolutely love it as well but this is pretty cool because we’re doing something in our home territory.

PC: Of all the songs that you’ve released, which one best represents you as artists and why?
The Rua: Sonically off of the new album, “Won’t Let Go” best represents us, and “All I Ever Wanted” or “Without You” from the first album. They feel like us. We’re happy playing them and we don’t get bored. If a song doesn’t feel right, it takes us a little while to finish or maybe we will leave it and come back to it and edit bits here and there. With those ones where we were like, “Oh no, it’s done and we’ve done it” and we’re all happy with it.

PC: What’s been the band’s key to success? What is the collaboration process like? Has it evolved throughout the years?
The Rua: Definitely being family helps. We know how to work with each other and we know each other’s strengths. It also takes a lot of determination and perseverance in this industry, so going out and playing radio stations in America and building relationships with people is important.

When we’re writing together, it really varies depending on who starts writing the song. For example, with “Gasoline”, Jonathan started on his own and “Won’t Let Go” we all wrote that together, “All I Ever Wanted” Roseanna started that; she got a little idea in her head, came down and said, “Oh, I’ve got this little tune in my head, what do you think?” And we were like, “Oh yeah, maybe.” It’s not like, if two of us are happy, then it’s fine; we all have to be collectively happy to finish the song. So yeah it really varies. Sometimes it can be all of us at work and finish up a song or just one or two of us. We try to help each other, but if something feels finished and we’re all happy with it, we leave it. We try to put different heads on but it doesn’t always work in the recording studio, but I think the family side always takes over.

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
The Rua: Patience. Lots of things can be going on in the background, people are working really hard on things you don’t necessarily know about, whilst we’re sitting here waiting. So I think it’s important to be patient. It takes a long time and a lot of work.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Jonathan: Spice Girls
Alanna: Earl
Roseanna: Lizzo

PC: First album you bought?
Jonathan: Frank Sinatra
Alanna: Spice Girls
Roseanna: Westlife

PC: First concert you attended?
Jonathan: Spice Girls
Alanna: Boyzone
Roseanna: Boyzone

PC: Someone you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
Jonathan: Taylor Swift
Alanna: Justin Timberlake
Roseanna: Charlie Puth

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Jonathan: I’ve already done it—the O2! Okay, I will have to pick the Hollywood Bowl in L.A.
Alanna: Red Rocks
Roseanna: Red Rocks

PC: A must-have on the road?
Jonathan: Bed sheet from home to replace hotel sheets.
Alanna: Earplugs
Roseanna: My travel pillow and phone!

To keep up with The Rua, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up “Gasoline” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.