Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest album, and what themes or stories you aimed to convey through your music?
A hallmark theme of bluegrass music is the exploration of dark stories underpinned by peppy accompaniment. This is the case for Papa’s Got Ahold of the Wine, a tale of a father who turns to alcohol after the loss of his wife told from his care-giving children’s perspective, as well as Red Carpet, which transforms the bluegrass trope of the murder ballad into a story of a mother’s suicide in the form of a « solve-it-yourself » mystery. Hold Me Close, Pass You By, The Way That You Loved Me are complex love songs that bring the listener on a journey between heartbreak and the heartfelt. Ever-Changing Love, the title track, celebrates long-term companionship love like that found in a loving, life-long marriage. Yodelin’ Yasmín tells a fictitious story of a yodeling girl from Tennessee that is begged to sing by a barbershop trio. I’ll Never Forget is a retelling of our grandparents’ love stories, and touches on the pain of memory loss. Produced by Justin Moses, Ever-Changing gives listeners a bluegrass beat to dance to through trial.
Music often has the power to transport people to different places and times. Can you describe a moment in your life when a particular song or album had a profound impact on you?
Anytime I hear bluegrass gospel music, I’m transported back to when I was a young boy playing with my dad at nursing homes in small-town Ohio.
Many artists have rituals or routines they follow before performing or recording. Do you have any unique or quirky pre-show or pre-recording rituals that you find help you get in the zone?
Before a show it’s not uncommon to see me sitting peacefully with a cup of tea. BUT it’s equally likely for me to be prancing about, arms flailing wildly and stretching my face into wide expressions to prepare for a game-time. Both peace and wildness are essential ingredients in the cranium cocktail for a successful musical output session!
Your lyrics often tell a story or convey a message. Can you share the story behind one of your songs and the inspiration that led to its creation?
I have appreciated the connections I have made with audience members through our song I’ll Never Forget. It is a dedication to my grandparents in honor of all those affected by memory loss, so it has started plenty of meaningful conversations with fans about their personal experiences. And the recordings came out so beautifully!
My maternal grandfather developed Alzheimer’s around the time I was developing lasting memories. In this way, I felt I never truly knew him as we were ships in the night in each other’s memory. I’ll Never Forget is a dedication to all of my grandparents and the stories they told about falling in love.
If you could curate a music festival with a lineup of your dream artists, who would be the headliners, and what would the theme of the festival be?
Rutapalooza would be centered around family fun and community. Headlined by bluegrass greats Tony Rice, Alisson Krauss & Union Station, Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and The Punch Brothers as well as musical path-finders Jacob Collier, Bobby McFerrin and Michael Jackson.
An important aspect of my ideal festival would be a thriving jamming community where those attending could bring instruments and find a corner in which to play a few tunes with friends.
Music can be a powerful tool for advocacy and change. Are there any social or political causes that you’re passionate about, and how does your music play a role in promoting these issues?
Our song, “I’ll Never Forget,” brings attention to those who struggle with memory loss. My maternal grandfather was afflicted with Alzheimer’s when I was young so I feel I never truly knew him. I also grew up playing music in the memory loss wards of nursing homes. Residents often lit up, regained their self-hood, and even joined in singing when hearing a song they know from their past.
The music industry has evolved significantly with technology. How do you see artificial intelligence and emerging technologies impacting the creation and distribution of music in the future?
AI has proved very helpful in generative processes like brainstorming and is an excellent collaborator in ideation for an artist. I feel that people will always like to hear art created by humans for humans about humans. In this way, I don’t see AI as a threat, but as a tool.
Many recording artists evolve over time. How do you see your musical journey changing and growing in the next decade?
As The Ruta Beggars, we intend to continue riding the ever-changing wave of innovative bluegrass music by making acoustic music that tugs at the heart and makes the feet dance.
I see myself, as the artist Micah Nicol, collaborating with other artists to bring their visions to life in an authentic and legible way through my work as audio and video producer.