Whether it’s their collaboration with the legendary producer Rick Rubin, kudos from the likes of

Zane Lowe and the BBC, or a string of memorable performances from the hills of Glastonbury to

the deserts of Coachella, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter siblings Henry and Rupert

Stansall, known by their amalgam-created moniker Ruen Brothers, are making a mark with a

throwback rock and roll sound that intersects the early days of the genre with a dynamic present

day act. The two have gone from sleepy English steel town obscurity to craft-smiths ready to

make a global impact.

Inspired by their music aficionado father who raised the duo on a steady diet of The Rolling

Stones and The Everly Brothers, the two would rehearse in the family kitchen while scrounging

for gigs in their blue-collar hometown of Scunthorpe, England. Laughs Rupert, “We’d walk into

pubs and clubs as kids and ask the owner if we could play something for the local drunks at

2pm.”

It wasn’t until a move to London and the success of their track “Aces,” a song recorded in their

studio apartment, that the boys from Scunthorpe went from pub performers to BBC radio staples.

The brothers quickly collected a global audience of fans, none more influential than iconic

producer Rick Rubin, who quickly recognized their talent and promptly took the brothers under

his wing. “I liked that their songwriting seemed like it was from another era,” explains Rubin.

“It’s making something new again with these traditional influences.”

Henry adds, “The album was recorded using all real instruments and a live band, resulting in a

different sound than what’s present in much of today’s popular music.” Adds Rupert of the

collaboration, “It was incredibly exciting - he’s worked with some of our favorite artists of all

time and is such a versatile producer. He helped us recognize the strength of Henry and I playing

and singing together; it was a foundation to build upon and the guidance we needed.”

The brothers’ artistic background and pedigree come into full focus on their debut studio album

ALL MY SHADES OF BLUE (out 6/01 via Ramseur), produced by Rubin and featuring Henry on

acoustic guitar and Rupert on electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica, and bass. The album also

includes the talents of such boldface names as Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on

drums, along with The Killers’ Dave Keuning on strings and Faces and Small Faces legend Ian

McLagan on keyboards. The record features both music and lyrics written by the boys

throughout their improbable journey. Says Rupert, speaking about both the album and the duo’s

entire career, “We’re very lucky in the sense that we’ve been able to do whatever we’ve wanted

musically and had it all recorded to the best quality with the best musicians and collaborators. In

today’s industry, you don’t usually get that freedom. If nothing else, we’re making the music we

want to make and that’s enough for me. Hopefully people will appreciate and enjoy it as much as

we do.”