In the years leading up to his breakthrough record deal, singer/songwriter Ruarri Joseph spent his nights playing in local pubs to earn extra cash while working various day jobs. As he began to play more shows his alternative/indie folk sound resonated with his audiences, and when he released his debut EP, All Substance and No Style in 2006, he attracted record label attention. He signed a deal with Atlantic Records and released his critically acclaimed album, Tales of Grime and Grit in 2007. Joseph eventually became disenchanted with the label, who wanted him to maintain a pop sound, and opted out of his contract to try his hand at independently recording his next album. In his garden shed, he laid down his sophomore record one instrument at a time due to the limited space, and released Both Sides of the Coin in 2009. Joseph has perfected his raw acoustic sound ever since.
