Q: I absolutely love the dreamy feeling of this song. What was your creative process in making “Imagination Tree”?
RUBOC: Sometimes I avoid reverb. This was not the case, I experimented with different times and ways to play the guitar and at some point I felt something deep and nostalgic, that was my guide.
Q: You describe “Imagination Tree” as a track about childhood and nostalgia. What was putting the song together like for you emotionally?
RUBOC: Things were happening, it was a creative, musical and emotional exercise, the elements began to appear while I was looking for answers, it was not a plan, and at some point I discovered this french conversation about a child imagining things and I love it! Worked perfect with the lofi vibe
Q: Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you decided to follow your path as a musician?
RUBOC: I don’t really know, when I was a child I played like a game to play music and dance like Michael Jackson, I used to use a beach tennis racket as a guitar, what beautiful memories, unfortunately I also remember many pains and emotional problems in my adolescence, I wanted to die, music brought me stability to surf problems.
Q: How is the music scene in Chile?
RUBOC: Good question. It is complicated, there is an elite of musicians, sometimes you feel that they are always the same, in fact there are surnames that are repeated a lot, on the other hand there is a hater nature, that is why it is so, but so valuable when someone appreciates your music, follow you, say good things to you, or support your bands, that’s the positive side, you value it twice as much. And we have Lollapalooza! but not in a pandemic.
Q: Who would you most like to collaborate with, if anyone in the world?
RUBOC: With the pope, I don’t know, I suspect he’s hiding something.
Q: What was your favorite thing about making “Imagination Tree”?
RUBOC: Freedom. I play in two bands: Acrom (Dark Rock) and Cassandra(Retro surf Rock), I also make music for animation and Imagination Tree was the opportunity to compose direct with my guitar and without ties, alone, connecting with that mysterious thing that we have inside, something that some call soul.
Q: Who are your biggest influences?
RUBOC: I really don’t know, when someone asks me that question, my head starts working as a slot machine reel, but I’ll tell you some artists that fascinate me: Beethoven, Carlos Santana, John Williams, Victor Jara, St. Vincent, Los Jaivas, John Frusciante, Carlos Cabezas (Electrodomésticos), Tool, Mac DeMarco, The Mars Volta especially De- Loused In The Comatorium, Billie Eilish, Alabama Shakes, I could go on and on …
Q: Any parting words to you fans?
RUBOC: I have to say goodbye? Well, since I don’t want it to be such an abrupt farewell, I invite you to visit my Instagram @ruboc or my website https://ruboc.com where I am constantly uploading news and new music to share with you, thanks for the opportunity and attention, Blessings. I love you all.
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
