Singer Robert Ruddock is aiming to put the soul back into the Bradford music scene.

The Bradford-based vocalist has the first of a series of live showcases tonight at a new club night called Stussh.

You can catch Robert on stage at the Club Ice in Duke Street, Bradford, followed by a performance at the Boilerhouse in Forster Square on October 29.

A former pupil of Tong School, where he did some singing, he started out as a serious soul performer three years ago when he met Jerry Crawford at the Reuben Sounds community recording studio in Little Germany.

"My sister told me about it and I went down and got on really well with Jerry," said Robert.

"I write all of my own songs now. I've got about 18 at the moment. I didn't know I could write songs until I started doing it. It took me about two or three days to write my first one and it just got easier."

Robert is influenced by British soul artists and is also a big fan of singers like Maxwell.

He is less impressed with mainstream American soul stars and hopes his own style is distinctive, especially as he doesn't do cover versions.

"It's like a mixture of soul, R'n'B and lovers' rock. I just like to do music that is a bit different," said Robert. "I don't like to be familiar and safe. It's too easy and boring."

Robert has a meeting in the pipeline with the Sony record company but after spending so much time in the studio lately is particularly looking forward to doing more live work.

"It's so time-consuming getting things right. I just prefer doing it live because that way your personality comes across."

Tonight's show is the first of a string of Stussh events being promoted by Reuben Sounds, which was based until recently at the Arts and Resource Centre in Little Germany but is currently looking for permanent new premises. It was set up with the aim of giving access to people who were not necessarily able to afford the rates of commercial recording studios.

"The Club Ice approached us because they heard about the showcase event that we put on at the Caf Kino and were keen for us to do something there," said Jerry.

"Hopefully it will be a chance for us to put on some of the talent who have been working with Reuben Sounds as well as DJs."

On October 16 Stussh will put on an as yet unnamed special guest, while Karen Minnot is booked to play on October 23 and Adele on October 30. Resident DJs at Club Ice will be Lee Fraser, Brian Rowe and Crew, EC and DJ Shamrock.

Jerry also wants any Bradford-based singers, dancers and musicians who are interested in performing live at future Stussh events to contact him on (07887) 850862.

Simon Ashberry

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