Picture this scene. It's February 9th, 2024. The Mary Reed Boat, docked at Number 90 Bar in Hackney Wick, is abuzz with anticipation. The boat's packed—lovers, friends, and music fiends alike—ready for a night of pure vibes. And who's at the helm? None other than yours truly—Ruebin, an old face on a fresh block. (Navigating the seas of social anxiety like a pro, may I add. Wondering if the 100 invites I sent out would show up, including me!)

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Inside, it's properly cozy as we set sail on this musical voyage. DJs Alexus and JumpStreetHouse are dropping beats like nobody's business, setting the dance floor ablaze, igniting the feet and hips of all aboard with their pulsating beats and perfectly curated selections.

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And there I am, waiting in the wings, munching on wings, nerves creeping in. You might ask about the nerves? I want to say it's been years since I've done something like this, but in truth, I've never done anything like this. I've never played my music to a room of people and been able to watch and read their faces, and in turn, have them read mine. “Why have I done this?” Ha.

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I take the mic, feeling the nerves hitting again, but there's no turning back now. My new project, 'Them', blasts through the speakers, each lyric a piece of my soul laid bare. It's raw, it's real, and it's got the crowd on their feet, living every moment with me. Cameras flash, videos roll—it's a frenzy of capturing the magic. And yes, I'm feeling vulnerable up here, but it's that vulnerability that brought us together that night, and as much as I am giving, I am getting right back. The guys in this room stole my breath and my heart. I'm speechless by the end.

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So as I gear up to share 'Them' with the world, I'm inviting you to come along for the ride. It's a journey of rediscovery, of finding the little bits of ourselves we put down along the way, and I couldn't be more pumped to share it with you. But before I do, a special THANK YOU once again, to every face you see below. You guys mean the world to me. Thank you for coming through and supporting this...

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Guys, please join the mailing list and download your pictures. Please post them with pride and tag me. You guys look BEAUTIFUL. Please go buy and stream my music a gazillion times and please, please, please, come again.

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All the feels, all the gratitude,

Rue

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Photography by Agata Noweta

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