La Ruda

La Ruda have been touring France since 1993. In 1995 the band's line up is stabilised. 8 musicians present a 60 or so songs repertoire on various stages. Clubs, big venues and Summer festivals, La Ruda boast more than 700 concerts to date. Their French fame has brought them to discover neighbour countries (Italy (97/02/03), Germany (98), Spain (98) and more recently Belgium (2000/01/02/04), Switzerland (2000/02/04), Hungary (Sziget 04) and Quebec (02/03/04)). La Ruda have auto produced two albums, distributed by Tripsichord (Le Prix du Silence -96- and L'Art de la Joie -98-) then a live one and a album at Yelen/ Sony music (En Concert -2000- and Passager du réel -01-).

The band signed in 99 with Yelen/Sony music who had licensed the first two albums and produced the two following ones. On Spring 2003 Yelen/Sony break tha artist contract linking them to La Ruda. A new adventure starts for the freshly independent band. La Ruda found their own structure « Les associés du réel » and produce in the process a cover record of 10 tracks from their repertoire ... on accordion ! Then comes the album « 24 images/seconde » in March 2004. This is when Wagram Music enter the game and sign a license with the band for the world, except for Canada reserved to Indica Records.

Their total record sales reach more than 180 000 copies. Sales of La Ruda records in France by 30/12/04 : Le Prix du silence (96) 39000\\ L'art de la Joie (98) 49800\\ En Concert (2000) 50000\\ Passager du Réel (01) 32500 \\ Loïc da Silva joue La Ruda (03) 3000 \\ 24 images/seconde (04) 22000.

The influences of formerly named Ruda Salska are multiple and without boundaries. The word Salska forming their ancient name was dropped, their music having nothing to do with Latino-American roots. However, Punk Rock, off-beat tempos and Pop Music are vital ingredients to their music. As for their main influences (as much for spirit as for sound), one can think of : Mighty Mighty Bostones (USA), Clash (UK), the Shériffs and La Mano Negra to whom their highly energetic concerts are often compared in France. La Ruda have already shared the stage with bands like Sergent Garcia (Fr), Millencolin (Swe), Ska P (Sp), Kemuri (Jap), Toasters (USA), Fishbone (USA), Skatalites (Jam), Grimskunk & Vulgaires Machins (Can) and all the bands who make the richness of today's French scene.