Born in Tucson, Arizona, Erin Ruth took a liking to Celtic music and culture as a result of albums and films her mother brought home. Moving to San Francisco in 2012, where she works as an accountant, Erin’s fascination with Celtic sounds blossomed as she connected with other musicians at the Plough & Stars Irish Pub (San Francisco) and Starry Plough Irish Pub (Berkeley).  It wasn’t long before she was doing gigs with The Crooked Road Ceili Band and Culann’s Hounds. Besides being an accomplished songwriter, keyboardist, and guitarist, Erin sings with an alluring exuberance that allows her to interpret an Irish ballad’s lyrics with meaning, insight, sentiment and historical perspective. Connect with Erin Ruth on Facebook to see where she's performing. 

On her eponymous debut project, Erin Ruth surrounds herself, in lean arrangements, by some solid local musicians to present a wide variety of emotions and sentiments. Whether singing “The Rocks of Bawn” in a traditional a cappella style or vocalizing with minimal rhythmic accompaniment of guitar, cello, fiddle or bouzouki, Erin knows that these sweet, wistful ballads require a clarion and clear focus on their lyrics.  Her supporting cast includes Richard Mandel (guitar, bouzouki), David Chadwick (guitar), Steve Gardner (fiddle), Kris Yenney (cello), Kristoph Klover (harmony vocals), Sara Remington (harmony vocals).

Erin Ruth chose a number of fairly classic ballads to sing. Written by Patrick Kavanagh, “Raglan Road” is certainly a favorite, and “The Foggy Dew,” written by Father P. O’Neill, is a tribute to the men who fought and died in the Easter Rising of 1916 in Dublin. Relating a story from a century earlier, “Boolavogue” features lyrics written by Patrick J. McCall and set to the melody of an ancient Irish air. The song tells us about the Rebellion of 1798 and one of Wexford’s heroes, Father Murphy, whom the British burned on the rack. “Bold Fenian Men,” written by Peadar Kearney, honors The Fenian Society, a determined body of men who engineered the Rising of 1798, 1803 and 1848.

Erin Ruth finds material in other less common places. From the Celtic rock genre, she chose to cover “A Pair of Brown Eyes” from Shane MacGowan (former lead singer with The Pogues). It’s a literate and sensitive song worthy of airplay. One interesting track is a song called "Working the Streets" written by San Francisco's Vince Keehan. While it’s hard to compare with Paul Brady’s rendition, Erin Ruth does a fine job closing her album with a powerful and lovely interpretation of “The Lakes of Pontchartrain,” with its story of love, heartbreak and desire. “So fair thee well me bonny o' girl I never see no more, but I'll ne'er forget your kindness and the cottage by the shore. And at each social gathering a flowin' glass I'll raise, and drink a health to me Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain.”  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)