As 11-year-old Ruthie Craft struggled with her newly diagnosed Tourette’s, no one could have predicted that 5 years later, she’d be onstage belting a duet with an international superstar. A decade more of new challenges and heartbreak, and the powerhouse singer would have giant stages, millions of streams, and an EP under her belt. “When I sang, my tics went away,” said Ruthie. “And I felt normal, for a moment.” As a teen, the discovery of Adele’s first album, 19, hooked Ruthie on music for good. She quickly taught herself the basics of singing and songwriting. But having no guidance on “how to do music,” she sang at open mics and talent shows, eventually winning a contest to sing with country star Keith Urban. With limited resources as a part-time barista, her onstage outfit was a combination of hand-me-downs and thrifted items. Shortly after, Ruthie’s whirlwind marriage whisked her across the country, far away from family and friends. As the marriage collapsed, she found comfort in music, began to find her voice again. Divorced and determined, she competed on American Idol in 2019. Since then, she has collaborated with producers and artists across the country, and has billed with the likes of Sir-Mix-A-Lot, Shakey Graves, Magic City Hippies, and Die Spitz. Ruthie’s cinematic pop-soul features powerful vocals and slick lyrics evocative of Joji, Kimbra, and early Maroon 5. Now living in Austin, TX, her debut EP, Sound of Blue is set to release September 2024.