"Follow your instincts, when it comes to creating music keep the outside sources at bay and listen to your inner voice."

Ruth Wyand: Guitar Routes, US Roots

Being diversified is Ruth Wyand’s specialty. Demonstrating guitar virtuosity with powerful fingerpicking, bottleneck slide and a warm alto voice Ruth plays a mix of Americana, jazz, blues, folk, country with a portion of Piedmont picking and bluegrass clawhammer thrown in. Her songwriting is universal, using a melting pot of styles with lyrics that are timeless, relatable, emotionally resonant, sometimes witty, sometimes serious but always human and genuine. Ruth presents a mixture of originals with poignant lyrics as well as well-crafted instrumental arrangements of classics ranging from Doc Watson, Etta Baker, Jimi Hendrix, Leo Kottke to Thelonious Monk and Nina Simone. Each song, no matter how different, has a firm Ruth Wyand stamp of style on it.

(Ruth Wyand / Photo by Chris Creighton)

MoMojo Records will be released her sixth studio album, Guitar Routes (RELEASE DATE: FEB 3, 2023). Wyand made the decision to hone her skills as a fingerstyle guitarist and pursue a lifelong dream of recording an all-instrumental album after losing her voice to a severe infection that damaged her vocal cords. The result, Guitar Routes, is a collection of nine instrumental tracks that beautifully showcase her virtuosity and are lively and rhythmic. “Ruth’s personal spirit of diversity shines through in the music she creates and performs,” said Sallie Bengtson, MoMojo label president. “Her ability to blend multiple and varied musical influences into her own appealing style is an exciting addition to our growing catalog.”

Interview by Michael Limnios      Archive: Ruth Wyand, 2018 interview @ blues.gr

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music?

As an artist I have learned technique and discipline, but I like to think I have the same ‘Artist Heart’ I had as a kid when I first picked up a guitar and felt the joy of creating something that wasn’t there before.

What has remained the same about your music-making process?’

I always like to try new things, I’m constantly looking to introduce new approaches into my playing and writing process.

How do you want the music to affect people?

Anyway it can as long as it reaches them and makes them dance, or sing, or cry, or laugh.

Currently you’ve one release with MoMojo Records. How did that relationship come about?

Sallie Beingtson contacted me about her new label and her vision of working with Roots Americana artists. A cross-genre acoustic instrumental album is a tough market and I’m honored that she is working with me to get it out there.

"Through technique you’ll be able to express your soul more effectively. I have a poster in my studio that says “learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist” by Pablo Picasso. Wether you’re a schooled musician or one that plays by ear you have to master your technique." (Powerful fingerpicking, bottleneck slide guitarist Ruth Wyand on stage, 2022 / Photo by Hartzewll)

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album 'Guitar Routes’?

I lost my voice in 2019 from a bad reaction to black mold that paralyzed a vocal cord. This silence gave me the chance to do a lot of listening and focus on playing the guitar from a new perspective. I listen to everything from Wes Montgomery to Tommy Emmanuel to Memphis Minnie to Maybelle Carter. I’ve always loved instrumentals and I took this as an opportunity to create an album of guitar instrumentals of multiple genres.

Why do you think that the American Roots music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Because it’s about we the people made up of many different cultures. The term American Roots has so many variables and styles that it can only grow. I can play a low down bottle neck slide blues song, then a Merle Travis picking country style song, to Duke Ellington jazz song and its all American Roots music. To me it’s total freedom of expressing and paying homage to some of America’s greatest musicians and songwriters.

What's been the highlights in your life and career so far?

I use to think traveling and playing so many different places in the world but one of the highlights in my career is working with a Special Needs band in my small community.

What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

Through technique you’ll be able to express your soul more effectively. I have a poster in my studio that says “learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist” by Pablo Picasso. Wether you’re a schooled musician or one that plays by ear you have to master your technique.

What moment changed your music life the most?

When I decided to give up on the music business and playing all kinds of music, I stopped trying to put myself in a certain category.

"Because it’s about we the people made up of many different cultures. The term American Roots has so many variables and styles that it can only grow. I can play a low down bottle neck slide blues song, then a Merle Travis picking country style song, to Duke Ellington jazz song and its all American Roots music. To me it’s total freedom of expressing and paying homage to some of America’s greatest musicians and songwriters." (Ruth Wyand /Biff @ Shooters Photography)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Follow your instincts, when it comes to creating music keep the outside sources at bay and listen to your inner voice.

John Coltrane said "My music is the spiritual expression of what I am...". How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

The spirit will come out in the music if we let it. As for the meaning of life, I don’t have a clue - that’s a whole other can of worms.

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