Ruban Nielson came to playing music relatively late, picking up a guitar at age 19. His father was a longtime musician, but also a recovering addict. Part of his rehabilitation involved making amends to those affected by his struggles, so he bought Ruban an electric guitar. At the time, Ruban was at Elam – the University of Auckland art school – and more focused on painting/drawing than music. Elam was also where he met his wife, Jenny, a sculptor.
Fat Possum Records
Jagjaguwar
Ruban Nielson - vocals, guitar, producer
Kody Nielson - drums, keyboards
Jacob Portrait - bass
Quincy Mcrary - keyboards
Julien Ehrlich - drums
Riley Geare - drums
Gregory Rogove - drums
Before Ruban and Kody were born, their parents toured overseas as part of John Rowles’ backing band.
Ruban twice won the Best Album Art category at the NZ Music Awards, for the Mint Chicks albums Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No? and Screens.
An EP of acoustic versions of songs from II was released as the Blue Record shortly after the album’s release.