On her track “Wanted to go home,” Ruby Bell sings, “I wanted to go home so bad, but I stayed for you.” Her vocal inflection is simplistic and direct, signaling a feeling we’ve all felt before: getting to the club and immediately wanting to leave to sit on the couch and watch TV.
This theme prevails on Bell's debut EP Greatest Hits. Tracks like “We were at the club” and “Internet bf” allude to this IRL vs. URL dichotomy that plagues every Gen Z kid trying to find connection in the modern age. But sometimes this method works — that’s how Bell met Happy Hardcore producers Replicator and Gupi, who eventually introduced her to Dylan Brady of 100 gecs. The two hit it off and started working on a project together, and Bell became the second signee to Brady’s music label Dog Show Records.
There were late nights of writing and producing, but eventually magic was created, and the New York-based, Boston-bred’s debut EP was created. The music itself fits very well within the confines of the sonic universe Brady and 100 gecs have cultivated over the past half decade or so, and, hopefully, is the first of many projects to come.
Below, Brady and Bell connect via iMessage to talk about the making of the EP and working together.
Dylan Brady: Hello Ruby
Ruby Bell: Hello Dylan
Dylan: how are you doing today?
Ruby: I’m doing pretty good. Sitting here with my cat rn. How are you?
Dylan: Pretty good too. I can only see one of my cats tho.
Ruby: Damn, my cat just got up. 😂
Dylan: Goodbye ❤️. What are you doing today?
Ruby: My friend Spencer is coming up. We’re gonna go to Pirate to practice for a show we’re playing in Boston tmrw. Hbu?
Dylan: Wow nice. I am going to the studio to work on some music. Do you like playing shows?
Ruby: Nioce. I do like playing shows. I wanna do it more. I wanna start playing shows in NYC lol, I’m always playing in Boston lol.
Dylan: Luck O The Irish
Ruby: So they say
Dylan: Remember when we were making Ruby Bell’s Greatest Hits.
Ruby: How could I forget. The greatest.
Dylan: What was your favorite part
Ruby: Bruce Springsteen “I’m on Fire” before the Session. Get the gears turning. No my favorite part was definitely just pluging the mic in and riffing. Those early stages.
Dylan: The Boss. You came up with a lot of those melodies on the first or second pass I feel like. Very quick. Did anything suprise you working on your first project.
Ruby: I guess I found it surprising how quickly and naturally the process felt. Finding my sound. Trying new things. 🎶
Dylan: Do you like to do anything specific to get yourself into music mode?
Ruby: LMAO I usually dance in my bedroom with my headphones on or go for a walk listening to whatever has me inspired in that moment 20 times in a row.
Dylan: I love listening to a song 20 times in a row. Is any song doing that for you right now?
Ruby: “Diet Pepsi” by Addison Rae and “11th Dimension” by Julian Casablancas lol. Random. Saw him outside of this show last weekend. Said hi… I had to. He was nice.
Dylan: “Diet Pepsi” is great I got to check out “11th Dimension.” I love his song with Daft Punk. You guys should do a song togher.
Ruby: Sameeee. Oh I wish. That would be really awesome.
Dylan: Is there anyone you’re dying to collaborate with?
Ruby: Opn [ Oneohtrix Point Never] in a perfect world.
Dylan: Garden of Delete almost turns 10 .. 
You guys would make beautiful music. What are you most excited for about releasing Ruby Bell’s Greatest Hits?
Ruby: I’m excited to finally share what I’ve been working on. I think it’s a good introduction. I like how a lot of these songs are from different moments in my life. We didn’t just bang all of them out in one session, it took a lot of time
Dylan: The ever Expanding world of the RBCU
Ruby: How are you feeling about the project?
Dylan: i am really excited too. we spent a lot of time on these songs. they all feel really good and unique. i am excited for you to begin to tell your story through a body of work
Ruby: Dog show 4ever 🎶
Dylan: Was any part hard for you?
Ruby: I think waiting was kind of difficult. Only because sometimes I would find myself falling in and out of love with certain songs at different points. But in a way that’s why I love this project because even after all this time the tracks hold up
Dylan: It has been a long road. The light is beginning to shine through. Do you have any favorite moments on the project?
Ruby: One of my favorite memories is that first session, in your old studio. When we first started “Love Song” and “Wanted To Go Home.” We went kinda crazy that day. The sister tracks. My two favs off the EP too.
Dylan: Wow true I forgot those were ont he same day. Your friend was there too. That old studio was so small.
Ruby: Yesss. Meilia.
Dylan: TBH it is better than the bathroom at the new studio. 🤣
Ruby: Oh for sure. 😭
Dylan: “Wanted To Go Home” happened so fast I love that song. Probably my favorite on the project.ee
Ruby: The byotp … bring your own toilet paper.
Dylan: Not ideal.
Ruby: Do you have any favorite moments?
Dylan: Probably doing “Wanted To Go Home” as well, very fast and easy. But also making a bunch of version of “1000 Years” was fun too. Trying to find the right direction. 1000 versions of “ 1000 years.”
Ruby: Yea it was fun to hear all of your different ideas for that track. That could’ve went in so many different directions. They have no idea.
Dylan: There is a lot of options in music. Are you going to do anything to celebrate the release.
Ruby: I think that’s what makes us a good team. I like and admire how down you are to try something fresh and new. I’m throwing a release part on the 12th, 7-10pm at Le Père. Love how the EP comes out on Friday the 13th. I think that’s so funny.
Dylan: Wowww
Ruby: It’s like 🤣🤣
Dylan: Are you gonna DJ. Spookly release day.
Ruby: I’m gonna perform I think. I probably spin a bit too. Gupi and Replicator are going to DJ. Some people too. The whole EP squad.
Dylan: Wow that will be cathartic. Music makes the people comme together.
Ruby: - Madonna.
Photography courtesy of Ruby Bell
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