Ruben

STILLWATER — When they’re not jamming, three of them tend bars at some of the area’s favorite eateries.
That pays the bills, but prime time for members of Stillwater-based classic rock band Ruben is when they can meet to write, record and play their original tunes with the goal of gaining more exposure and bigger audiences.
SAHS grads Dan Schiltz and Sam and Mack Ziemer (the band’s bass guitarist, guitarist and drummer, respectively) started playing together as kids back in Lake Elmo and later added vocalist Catie Larson Ziemer, now Mack’s wife. Ruben has since cut three albums, performs across the Midwest and is revving up for upcoming gigs at Stillwater Log Jam, the Square Lake Music Festival, Summer Tuesdays and Lift Bridge Brewery.
“Some people will probably be surprised,” Sam Ziemer noted of the band’s longevity. “It’s not that often that high school bands don’t come and go.”
Schiltz and the Ziemer brothers were boyhood pals (graduating in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively) who grew up in the same Lake Elmo neighborhood, forming the band as teenagers and gaining musical acumen via SAHS band and choir.
“We would hang out, and we all had an affinity for music,” noted Sam, 28. “We taught ourselves — the whole teenage-bad-music-couldn’t-play-anything-but-the-basic ‘Smoke On the Water’ type thing. We were in the school’s Battle of the Bands, and once we graduated we got into the local circuit and started playing 7th Street Entry, Fine Line Music Cafe and Triple Rock Social Club. Since then we’ve been doing it all over the state.”
Classmate John Miller, who became their sound engineer, later founded Minneapolis label Secret Stash Records which has recorded all three of the band’s CDs.
Several years ago the guys were impressed with the voice of Minnetonka native Catie Larson, 30, as she performed with another band. When that band dissolved she joined Ruben in 2010, and she and Mack, 27, married earlier this year.
Sam Ziemer described the band’s sound as primarily classic rock and soul, noting about 80 percent of its repertoire is original. He and Schiltz primarily write the lyrics, while the music comes from the entire group.
Some Ruben harmonies are reminiscent of the Beatles and/or the Beach Boys.
“Once we come up with the structure of a song, we bring a basic idea to the group, then play through it a few times and it takes shape,” Ziemer explained. “We don’t sound like many other bands. We don’t subscribe to one specific sound … that might mean we get a more jangle sort of Creedence Clearwater Revival sound, or it might mean something like a wall of sound. But we don’t want to be known as a cover band, and that’s one thing we won’t compromise on.”
Since 2002 Ruben has averaged about one show a week, playing mostly in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Its biggest gig to date? Mainstage on Mid West Music Fest in Winona last April. Its most recent album “The Orchard” was released in November.
To become better known, the band is constantly trying to maximize industry contacts and marketing.
“It’s an elusive goal — there’s no formula,” Ziemer acknowledged. “It’s tough to make a living in music. There aren’t a lot of superstars in the music industry anymore … there’s just such a huge number of musicians and bands out there. We’d love for our music to perpetuate and be our primary source of income … but we try to just keep the creativity and keep our goals simple.”
Locals may be familiar with Ruben members by their “day jobs”; Sam tends bar at Stillwater’s LOLO American Kitchen and Smalley’s Caribbean Barbecue and Lake Elmo Inn; Mack at Lake Elmo Inn; and Schiltz at Charlie’s Restaurant and Irish Pub in Stillwater. Catie works at Kowalski’s.
“The flexibility of our professions is definitely key to our ability to continue,” Ziemer noted.
Schlitz lives in Stillwater, as do Sam, his wife Cristina and his 2-year-old daughter. Mack and Catie live in St. Paul.
Ruben’s five-year plan calls for releasing several more tracks this fall and possibly taking a road trip to Nashville to make a new recording.
“Although the band doesn’t pay the bills right now, we make every effort to incorporate it into our lives as a real primary focus,” Ziemer said. “Meeting people through music has been a real gift for us, and we try to give back by doing the best we can to make our music enjoyable.”
The best kind of gigs, he said, are ones that draw a huge and enthusiastic crowd like a recent one in small-town Decorah, Iowa.
“There were a couple hundred on the dance floor having a blast,” he said. “For me, that has to be one of the favorite memories of all time. The joy and energy that’s spread, and that you get from other people … that’s definitely one of the main reasons we’re doing what we’re doing.” - St. Croix Valley Lowdown

Ruben are so well respected by the MWMF organizers that they are one of the only bands who has played all four years, and I’m glad I finally got a chance to catch them this year. This band out of Stillwater is just plain fun, channeling ’60s rock and soul influences and layering vocal harmonies to create an old-school party vibe.

Lead singer Sam Ziemer spent the majority of the time in the spotlight, and his Van Morrison croon proved a worthy centerpiece, but his bandmates also showed they have some serious chops—especially Catie Larson, who stepped up to the mic to deliver a spot-on rendition of the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” that had the whole crowd swaying along.

The band already has a record out (their 2010 release Carry Me is available on their Bandcamp), and Ziemer announced that they are getting ready to release a new album, I’m Just A Ghost, this summer. For now, sample a track off their 2010 release below, and tune into the Local Show this Sunday night for a premiere of one of the tracks off that new record.
- Andrea Swensson - 89.3 The Current

With Log Jam right around the corner, Stillwater Current reached out to local band, Ruben, to answer a few questions before they hit the main stage on Friday, July 18.

Ruben will play from 5:45-6:30 p.m. on the Freight House Music Stage in north Lowell Park. Ruben has recently released their EP “The Orchard.”

You can take a listen here.

Without further adieu, here’s a bit about Ruben:

Briefly describe Ruben’s history. How did the band come to be? How have you grown together?

Mack, Sam and Dan grew up playing music together in Lake Elmo and later met Catie through the local music scene.

Since Catie joined the band we have incorporated more vocal harmonies from having four singers. Also, as we have grown, so has the music. We have been more receptive to each others influences, and have experimented with more ambitious arrangements as we get older and better at what we do. We have definitely become a little more creative in how we make a song.

What is it like to be playing the main stage for Stillwater Log Jam?

It’s exciting to be apart of a festival in a community that has been so important and integral to our development as a band and as people.

What can people who have never heard you before expect from a live Ruben set?

In a single descriptive word from each band member, we’d say: Harmony. Raucous. Joyful. Crispy.

Who are some of your personal musical influences?

Catie – Deborah Harry

Dan – Brian Wilson

Sam – Keith Richards

Mack – Levon Helm

How do those artists influence Ruben?

Individually ;)

In a tweet, how would you describe Ruben?

Our hashtag is #fatband, because when we’re on the road we eat poorly.

What’s your favorite song to perform live? Why?

“It’s Alright,” because we get to cut loose, and the harmonies sound cool over the rock ’n’ roll music.

How does a song, or setlist for that matter, come together for Ruben?

We comprise a set list after we have arrived at a show and gotten a certain feel or energy from the crowd. We go off the mood of the room.

I noticed all four of you sing, how does that allow you to venture into different areas of music while playing together?

The songs never come to us under a certain formula, so we don’t follow any strict sound or protocol for making them, this allows us to, because we have so many different singers and types of voices, find the right singer for the song when ever it comes and whatever style it is. Some of us are better at singing a certain style of music that others, or some of us sound better on ballads than on rockers. To summarize, it gives us options.

What band or musician are you most into right now?

Sam – Ted Nugent

Catie – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Dan – The “Colored Emotions” album by Night Moves

Mack – I don’t listen to music.

Who is the best rock n’ roll band of all time?

It’s a 4-way tie between The Band, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin.

If you had a theme song that played every time you took a stroll down Main Street, what would it be?

The Seinfeld theme.

You can also catch Ruben at the Square Lake Music Festival on Aug. 9; at Summer Tuesdays on Aug. 19; and at Lift Bridge Brewery on the first Friday of each month. - Stillwater Current

Crossing the Mississippi River from Minnesota is a band playing soulful rock and roll with a vintage feel.

You can probably already tell by the music video above – but Grasley compares Ruben to Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Band adding that they have a “great live show laced with four-part harmonies and a really authentic rock sound.”

The three guys in the band have been playing together since high school. Catie Larson joined Ruben in 2010 adding a feminine touch and completing those four-part harmonies. - Whoo Knew

It seems all too appropriate that this ’60s-inspired Stillwater bar band is pressing their latest onto vinyl. Part Stones, part surf-rock, Ruben’s sound should appeal old-school audiophiles hungry for classic rock melodies and harmonies. - Andrea Swensson - 89.3 The Current

This video was actually produced by production company Beaudry Filmworks, but with the old movie reel effects and lo-fi finish, I thought it fit in nicely with today’s theme. Ruben’s song “Surfin’ Frankenstein” actually came out last fall, but they sent the video over this week with news that they have a big Halloween show up their sleeves this year.
- Andrea Swensson - 89.3 The Current

When a bar has a spacious patio, it’s not often we’d recommend you stay inside on a summer evening, but it looks like we’re making an exception. The 331’s dance card is full tonight with three great local acts taking the stage, for free. Sun Gods to Gamma Rays opens with their downtempo moody soundscapes; ahead of their upcoming album it should be a taste of what’s to come. Ruben comes from the musical hotbed we all know as Stillwater (?), bringing with it some twangy swamp blues with a pure Rolling Stones influence you could have stripped straight off the Forrest Gump soundtrack. Then Hunting Club takes over for the night with an alt-dream of a set fresh off their latest release “Mosaic.” Important to distinguish because this new sound is a lot hazier, more docile than their riotous debut album’s direction. Take notes, because all three acts are big talents in the making. And we’re sure they won’t mind if you step out on the patio for a minute or two. 10 p.m. Free. —EK - Secrets of the City

A promotional in-studio interview and performance done on 2/19/2012 - KPVL Radio - Driftless Music Radio Podcast

Ed’s is a cozy little bar on 3rd Street. I am looking around since it’s my first time in here. The walls are deep red, speckled with photos of various musicians. Contrasting the walls is the gold plated ceiling, adding a little elegance. It’s the place to be at night, so being here at 3:30 in the afternoon for a rock concert is something I didn’t think I would ever do! It’s the perfect place for music though.

The first set of the afternoon is Ruben, and if I may say so, they rock. They are rock. Just three guys, but you wouldn’t know it just by listening. Great guitar solos and bass lines you just don’t hear on the radio these days. Strong, rugged vocals lay right on top of all the rock and roll goodness.

“Sorry for the loudness. Maybe. I guess it says ‘rock and roll’ right under our name. It’s the truth.”

And the truth it is, my friends. - Winona360

It was just a short walk over to the Masonic Temple, where Stillwater, Minnesota's Ruben were taking the stage. Their Americana-tinged brand of rock 'n' roll went over well with the small crowd (which the large room made look even smaller). While the band seemed to be a bit annoyed that there wasn't a larger turnout, and that a good portion of the people that were there were sitting on the floor, they still delivered a spirited set of songs that had contained echoes of the Band's well-worn appeal (the band, in fact, dedicated their set to Levon Helm and the singer's newborn daughter).

"Slow Bleed," the title-track to Ruben's new record, Slow Bleed/Let Me Start, was a raucous, bluesy stomp, like a cross between Led Zeppelin's slower songs and the modern moodiness of the Black Angels. They brought out two saxophone players to augment their sound, as well as a female guest vocalist, Katy Larson, who filled out the simmering rocker, "Things Have Changed." It would be nice to see Ruben in a smaller club, where their music would take on a bit more urgency and impact, but this was a bold, positive display from the talented young band who still seem to be getting their stage legs under them. - City Pages - Erik Thompson

Ruben is a rock n' roll band from Stillwater, MN and you can catch them playing all around the Midwest.

Their new record, C D or whatever you call it these days is all vinyl, one has grooves and the other doesn’t.


Orchard is the release name, and for a sampling of their music go to http://ruben.bandcamp.com/

The record will be produced on both versions of vinyl, so if you still have a needle, you will be in hog heaven.

Ruben's sound takes me back to old school fundamental rock, but with a fresh twist all their own.

The sound was made even nicer with their matchless harmony.

I think you can hear the Stones, Bob Dylan, or maybe even Lynard Skynard. just to name a few.

For me, approaching codgerdom, I love a tight band, especially when you can understand the words.

Throw in a great lead guitar, and a passionate drummer, mix in a female vocalist, and you have a winner.


Rock, Blues and Harmony, all smushed together, and I think I'm in love.

For a preview you can check our kfai Live From Studio 5! Page, scroll down to play lists, and later check the archives on the right hand side of the page.

Get yourself a digital single online by going to Bandcamp.com be sure and tell em “Live From Studio 5! sent ya,

Be sure and check out RUBEN'S "Live From Studio 5!" performance here http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMeJC71i9gFjLQ8jjM2DHWA


Ruben leaves no turn unstoned, to bring you engaging melodies a doo-wop here, and a woo woo woo there.

Ruben is a fun engaging group, who have their own groove, built on roots even I can understand.

The bottom line is, it's either great music, or it ain't.

So you better go and see them before we lose them to California or New York. - Douglas Solomon of KFAI Radio