Remember When: Ruby Jean & the Thoughtful Bees

Band: Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees

Circa: 2009

Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees combined two things I liked very much: a strong female vocalist with unabashed dance music. Most well-known for her solo act, Halifax’s Rebekah Higgs debuted her electro-dance outfit Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees in 2009 and quickly became a personal favourite of mine. At the time, I saw it as Death From Above 1979 meets MSTKRFT but fronted by a kickass woman instead – basically a dream come true.

Live, this four-piece – complete with producer Colin Crowell, guitarist Jason Vautour and drummer Sean MacGillivray – blew audiences away with chaotic fanfare and a sheer musical chemistry that made for great showmanship. Higgs especially was a fearless leader, often leaping into crowds and screaming the words right at you; a pleasant surprise for someone who appeared so sweet and restrained in solo performances.

With the exception of a string of shows last year, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees have been fairly absent from the Canadian music scene. Higgs released another solo album entitled Odd Fellowship last year as well and even though that was a good record a part of me hopes that she still has the urge to dance a little. I’ll be waiting with my dancing shoes on.

Watch: “You Don’t Miss Me”