Rich Ruth Shares “No Muscle, No Memory” From Upcoming Water Still Flows LP

Multi-instrumentalist, Michael Rich Ruth defies genre through his relentless obsession with sonic manipulations and an ever-evolving skillset. Firmly integrated into Nashville‘s local scene, Ruth consistently operates in service of the music whether from the position of a sideman, working in a collaborative unit, or with his project, Rich Ruth. The Tennessean has been incredibly active over the last year or so, spending nearly an equal number of days on stage as he has had “off.” While continuing to tour semi-regularly as guitarist for Kentucky-based singer/songwriter, SG Goodman, with whom he notably performed a Tiny Desk concert (while wearing a KLF cap) in 2022, he has found time to forge new collaborations and bring Rich Ruth out on the road. Highlights include opening for jazz drummer/composer/bandleader, Makaya McCraven and a run of East Coast dates with Tortoise. His 5-piece has appeared at festivals as varied as Hopscotch and Bonnaroo to just recently coming off the annual mecca of experimentalism that is Big Ears Festival. The latter not only saw him doing Rich Ruth shows, but joining mindbending guitar virtuoso, Yasmin Williams, as part of an “all-star” backing band, alongside guitarist, William Tyler (Silver Jews, Lambchop, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, etc) and cellist, Austin Hoke (Cage The Elephant, Amanda Shires, Over The Garden Wall OST, etc ). Perhaps, most impressive of all is the fact that, throughout all of this, Michael still found time to compose and record a brand new Rich Ruth album. Today, we get our first sample of what to expect from it.

Water Still Flows marks Rich Ruth‘s 3rd studio album and the second to be released by Third Man Records. Along with reissues for the likes of Melvins, Boris and Caetano Veloso and new releases by such veterans as SLEEP and Wolf Eyes, it’s newer acts like Ruth that give me respect for the Nashville Label. There’s something to be said for signing an up-and-coming experimental artist whose focus isn’t on mainstream stardom and allowing them to create freely, rather than simply reissuing their work after they’ve already established their legacy. If Ruth has any goal with his work, it seems to be for continuous growth and evolution.

The following statement was posted on his IG account to accompany the announcement of the new release.

Some of this creation process has been documented on the social media platform itself. Whevener Ruth isn’t posting about touring or devouring some road meal, he’s regularly providing glimpses into his process of zoning out in a home studio, experimenting with the various equipment he’s acquired.

Last July, I published a preview of highlights for the 2023 Pickathon Festival lineup. In that piece, I included the following sections that touch on some of the themes eluded to in his IG announcement, along with the Nashville musician’s recent history, output, and ongoing evolution.

Rich Ruth self-released the album Calming Signals in 2019, followed by the EP Where There’s Life in 2021. In large part, the creation of Calming Signals operated as a healing tool and a way to direct his focus toward something constructive after two people carjacked him at gunpoint one morning outside of his home. The ambient release is overflowing with lush shimmering soundscapes and sustained waves of spiritual jazz, while incorporating driving, almost motorik-style drumbeats, exploratory free jazz sax moments, and subtle electronic accents manifesting in the background. There are moments that resemble the doomier droney side of Krautrock and eerie synths. At times Cluster-esque, there are points that sound like Neu meets Philip Glass but with new-age native flute music over Tangerine Dream horrorscapes. These recordings began as solo ambient compositions but, once Rich began recruiting friends to contribute, the sound really found a new dimension and filled out in ways that were more satisfying and less predictable. In contrast, Where There’s Life is a collection of meditation pieces created at the beginning of the pandemic. Drawing from feelings of “uncertainty” and “isolation,” these incredibly serene compositions are stripped back to nothing except guitar, saxophone, and synthesizer.

The album, I Survived, It’s Over was put out by Third Man Records in 2022. This time there are noticeably more drums and, while the sound is a bit more out there, the players also feel more cohesive as a unit. At points, it can enter Bitches Brew territory; twisting mutated horns lay over smooth new-age foundations that blend surprisingly well. Rich isn’t afraid to take his moments to let his guitar fly in little psychedelic runs. There are even glimpses of post-rock pioneers, Tortoise, particularly in the percussive elements. The songs grow and unfurl. The spiritual jazz has been upped alongside more organic sounds which almost feel as if a song is breathing, allowing one track to gradually and seamlessly build up to tunnels of ominous synth. Rich doesn’t seem content with just sitting on one drone, preferring to create sprouting sonic ecosystems complete with flora and fauna. There’s a precision yet effortlessness to how the electronics are sprinkled in. He’s blending the organic elements with the electronic components in a way where backward-shuffling effects can conjure images of birds and synthesizers dissipates into wind to the point where you forget where it all started. With song titles like, “Older But Not Less Confused” and “Desensitization And Reprocessing” coupled with the name of the LP itself, this is clearly the sound of a bolder Ruth coming out the other side and ready to start getting/taking his power back. As someone who’s been struggling with some fairly crippling anxiety of my own, I welcome whatever he chooses to unleash on the farm. Whether he leans more subdued and meditative or comes crashing through like a wave, both approaches have their merit and hold their own respective power.

When your calling card is your ability to layer and transition between varying styles and textures, what’s the formula to keep the work moving in directions that feel new and inspired? Incorporating new equipment and instrumentation is one component. Another is to continue bringing in trusted collaborators whose perspectives and contributions present opportunities to hear and evolve the compositions in fresh and exciting ways. For Water Still Flows, Ruth tapped into the talent around him again. One such figure is harpist, Mikaela Davis, who joined his band as a surprise guest during Pickathon, seamlessly integrating her spiritual jazz leanings into the group’s exploratory soundscapes a la Alice Coltrane. It was an undeniable highlight of the festival, so I’m excited to see her officially playing a role on the new release.

Our first sample of Water Still Flows is called “No Muscle, No Memory.” The track begins with a driving, yet moody vibraphone that falls somewhere between Tubular Bells, Tortoise‘s TNT album, and famed Japanese composer/percussionist, Midori Takada’s short-lived, MKWAJU Ensemble. Using this rhythm as the backbone, Ruth and company bring on a slow groove constructed from shimmering synths and sultry reverb-heavy blues-rock guitar. The song builds with swirling waves of saxophone until it all erupts with the roar of a flailing baby kaiju caught in a tractor beam. There are elements of They Live-era John Carpenter in the most positive way. “No Muscle, No Memory” feels like the sonic equivalent of a private detective seated in his meager office with files strewn across his desk as he rails powder off a Nagel painting, while Silk Stockings plays on the mini TV in the background. The vibe is wafting tobacco smoke, brick, and neon.

Director, Joseph Bird took a slightly different approach with the song’s video. Quick edits and slow-motion footage of a football scrimmage are mixed with clips of a dog running across the practice field. It reminds me of something that The Books might have cobbled together from found footage back when they were still around. In my opinion, it works, but you can check it out for yourself below.

Water Still Flows is available for preorder now. Various options/outlets can be located via THIS LINK.

Rich Ruth also has a string of tour dates coming up. Select shows will be with All Them Witches or Mikaela Davis.