Rujen is a five-piece space rock outfit from Atlanta consisting of frontman Ryan Miller (Graphic Designer for Polyvinyl Records) lead guitarist Creighton Perme, keyboardist Nick Hanchey, bassist Charlie Brady and drummer Ryan Barrett. They draw inspiration from '70s psychedelic rock, pop and soul and can be considered an "east coast band with a west coast sound." Rujen debuted in 2022 with their album Feel It's True, a collection of songs that were written and recorded at the group's home studio during their formative years in the late 2010s.
Velvet Dream, their sophomore full-length and Broc Recordz debut, is grounded in the idea that change can start with a shift in perspective and the realization that your future begins with a choice. Steeped in the warmth and character of analog tape delays and the quirky charm of vintage effects units, the album leans into themes of time, self-doubt, and personal growth across 11 tracks offering throwback slacker jazz-rock grooves and fuzzed-out riffs that have come to define the band's unique brand of neo-psychedelia.
The band paired up with producer Drew Vandenberg (Faye Webster, Toro Y Moi, of Montreal) at Chase Park Transduction in Athens, GA to record, mix, and co-produce the record. The aim was to preserve the live feel and energy the songs had in rehearsals and at performances during the writing phase. Velvet Dream expands upon the densely layered and sonically rich sound of 2022's Feel It’s True while pushing into new territories of garage rock and indie groove with a bold clarity.
Join us on Saturday, July 12th at 4:30, for a short and intimate instore performance by Rujen! They’re out on the road in support of the new record and will also be performing at The Underdog later that evening. We are happy to host Rujen at Grimey’s as a part of our weekly BEER:30 hang and hope you’ll be able to make it out. Copies of Velvet Dream will be available for purchase in person at our event. Se you soon, Nashville!
A note on BEER:30 events—Rujen’s performance coincides with our weekly BEER:30 hang, so we’ll be offering free Tennessee Brew Works beers to those 21+ (with valid IDs). Beer is complimentary but we are collecting cash tips to be donated to support the good works of the folks at DRKMTTR, Nashville's enduring all-ages space, that thrives as a hub for connectivity and creative collaboration. Beyond being a music venue, DRKMTTR stands as a nexus of resilience, cultivating a dynamic community where the DIY ethos transforms into collective action. Through cross-pollination initiatives, DRKMTTR links artists, organizes communities & the under-21 crowd, and as a 501-C3 non-profit, they seek the backing necessary to perpetuate their pivotal role and create a lasting influence.