How To Copy The Rubens' Meteoric Rise To Fame In 5 Simple Steps
The Rubens have just been announced as the latest Aussie artists to shed their guitar amps and roll into the iconic MTV Unplugged Melbourne stage to deliver a history-making acoustic performance.
Adding their name to a list of music legends like Nirvana and Alice In Chains - not to mention homegrown heroes like Gang Of Youths, Amy Shark and DMA's - the Menangle fivesome will trot into St Kilda's The Espy on February 28 to deliver a setlist of stripped-back bangers.
The band first burst onto the national radar in 2012 and have been absolute stayers, maintaining their rep as one of the country's most relevant and exciting rock acts for seven years and counting - and there ain't no sign of them slowing down!
So with The Rubens' about to add to their list of greatest achievements with a shiny slot at MTV Unplugged, we thought we'd take a look back at all of the lads' most career-defining moments that helped propel them to star status, in the hope that any other bright-eyed young musos out there can take note and attempt to replicate their success.
Check out how to copy The Rubens' meteoric rise to fame, in 5 simple steps, below.
1. Make your first album so damn good, it debuts in the ARIA charts' top 5
The Rubens pulled off an incredible feat with their self-titled first album debuting at #3 on the hallowed ARIA album charts in 2012, going on to bag platinum status and get nominated for a 'Best Album' J Award. The LP's success was of course boosted by the strength of singles 'Lay It Down' and 'My Gun' winning support across national radio and going on to chart in the triple Hottest 100. So just try to do that OK!
2. Be so great live that you get invited to play Splendour In The Grass... a lot
Off the success of their debut record, The Rubens made their debut at Splendour In The Grass, arguably the biggest event on the Aussie festival calendar, in 2012. They were so good, that they got invited back the next year. And then again in 2015. And TBH we wouldn't be surprised if we see them return this year off the back of their ridicumazing new album Lo La Ru (we'll have to wait and see about that one though!)
3. Win the triple j Hottest 100
Well, this one's a gimme. Just write a song as catchy as The Rubens' smooth rockin' 2015 single 'Hoops', which topped the triple J Hottest 100 of that year after being voted the #1 song by the nation's youth and propelling their album of the same name to Gold status. Simple!
4. Follow it up with yet another incredible album
Now that you've got the number 1 song in the country, you need to act fast. Write, record and release another fire studio LP that debuts at #3 on the ARIA charts, like The Rubens' 2018 disc Lo La Ru, which contains the catchy-ass singles 'Million Man', 'Never Ever (feat Sarah)' and 'God Forgot'. Done!
5. Tour The Country Supporting An International Superstar
Follow up your scorching catalogue of bangers by taking your live CV to the next level. May we suggest doing a record-breaking 47-date national arena tour supporting an international superstar like Pink, which The Rubens did last year. Then, STEAL ALL HER FANS FOR YOURSELF. Genius.
6. BONUS STEP: Play MTV Unplugged
Yep, now that you're a household name, it only makes sense that you should join some of the greatest musicians in history by playing MTV Unplugged and tick that milestone off the bucketlist. We look forward to seeing you there, fam!
ICYMI: MTV Unplugged Melbourne premiered in 2018 thanks to partnerships with Vodka O and Visit Victoria and the much-frothed concert series will be continuing to serve you up the goods throughout 2019.
To be in with a shot of winning free tickets The Rubens' MTV Unplugged set, you can whack your mouse right here.
- Emmy Mack.
PICS: Here's What Went Down At DMA'S MTV Unplugged Melbourne Performance...
PICS: Here's What Went Down At DMA'S MTV Unplugged Melbourne Performance