Ry Cuming (born 6 May 1988), better known by his stage name RY X, is an Australian singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer.[1] He was the first artist signed to the Stockholm-based label Dumont Dumont.[2][3]

RY X
RY X performing in 2017
RY X performing in 2017
Background information
Birth nameRy Cuming
Born (1988-05-06) 6 May 1988 (age 36)
Woodford Island, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2006–present
Labels
  • Jive Records
  • Dumont Dumont
  • Infectious Music UK
Websitery-x.com

Early life

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Ry Cuming[4] was born on 6 May 1988 on Woodford Island, where he became a surfer.[5] He now resides in California.[6]

Career

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Cuming has cited Pearl Jam and Jeff Buckley as his greatest influences,[7] and started writing music at the age of 16 after hearing Buckley's 1994 album Grace.[7] His song "Let Your Spirit Fly" appeared on the soundtrack of the 2006 film Hoot. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he was signed by Jive Records, releasing his self-titled debut album on 20 July 2010.[8] He briefly toured with Maroon 5, becoming their opening act in select venues.[1]

Cuming won the 2010 Dolphin Awards for "Best Pop Song" and "Best New Artist".[9] In 2012, he collaborated with Frank Wiedemann to release "Howling" on the German record label Innervisions, including a remix by Âme.[4] His EP Berlin, released on 28 August 2013,[10] was made available as 12" vinyl and digital. The title track charted in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.[11][12][13] The track also caught the attention of singer Sam Smith, who covered it.[14]

In 2014, Cuming became the lead singer of the band The Acid, which he formed with Los Angeles producer Freeland and Steve Nalepa. They released an album titled Liminal.[15] Together with Wiedemann he formed the band Howling and released a full length album Sacred Ground on Ninja Tune and Monkeytown Records. Cuming's single "Howling" was featured in the movie Everything, Everything. The remix by Âme was featured in the movie Taken 3.

In May 2016, Cuming released his second album Dawn through Infectious Records and Loma Vista Records.[16] The album charted at #34 in the UK Album Charts as well as charting in Germany, France, Canada, and Australia.[17] It gained favourable reception from the media, with a New York Times review saying, "His voice is a pearly, androgynous tenor, a vessel for liquid melancholy that blurs words at the edges. He stretches pop structures with repetition that grows devotional, obsessive, hypnotic."[16] In support of the album, he began an extensive tour across Europe and the U.S. as well as appearing at many festivals throughout 2016, such as Barn on the Farm and the Montreux Jazz Festival.[18]

In October 2018, Cuming confirmed that his third studio album, Unfurl, would be released in February 2019 via Infectious Music. The album announcement coincided with the release of a new single, "Untold", and the announcement of a global tour beginning in Europe that commenced the same month.

“Cuming has previously appeared on tracks by Diplo, ODESZA, Duke Dumont, and Black Coffee, and was commissioned to remix Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain”.”[19]

Blood Moon, Cuming's fourth album, was released in June 2022 via BMG.[20] The album was recorded, produced and engineered almost entirely by Cuming himself at his home studio in Topanga.[21] Blood Moon was released on the same day as Drake's album Honestly, Nevermind. "It was a dual celebration for RY X, who co-wrote and co-produced the Honestly, Nevermind track “Sticky”.”[19] Blood Moon features collaborator Ólafur Arnalds on the track, 'Colorblind'.[22] The project also took Cuming to Iceland to collaborate with Imre and Marne Van Opstal and renowned nature photographer Benjamin Hardman for the official videos of 'Your Love' and 'Come Back'.[23] Bloom Moon Remixes was released the following year, in June 2023.[24]

Moths was released in September 2023 with its debut on Youtube with the official video, shot in the Sahara desert.[25]

Live Performances

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Cuming, performing as RY X, has played non-traditional venues throughout his career, including a Cercle livestreamed show from Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.[26] In 2021, Cuming performed a livestream show produced by Driift from Vibiana Cathedral.[27] In September 2023, Cuming performed at London's St. Paul's Cathedral with the London Contemporary Orchestra.[28] It was said that this show sold out so quickly, the waitlist consisted of over 4000 people.[29]

Orchestral Shows

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Artist Year City Venue Orchestra
RY X 2017 Berlin Konzerthaus Berlin Deutsches Kammerorchester[30]
RY X 2018 Munich Alte Kongresshalle Münchner Rundfunkorchester[31]
RY X 2018 Brussels AB Brussels Philharmonic Soloists[32]
RY X 2018 London Barbican London Contemporary Orchestra[33]
RY X 2019 London Royal Albert Hall London Contemporary Orchestra[34]
RY X 2021 Los Angeles Walt Disney Concert Hall LA Philharmonic[35]
RY X 2023 London Roundhouse London Philharmonic Orchestra[36]
RY X 2023 London St Paul's Cathedral London Contemporary Orchestra[37]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
BEL
(FL)

[38]
FRA
[39]
GER
NLD
[40]
SWI
[41]
Ry Cuming
  • Released: 20 July 2010
  • Label: Jive
  • Format: Digital download, CD
Dawn 41 114 87 57 52
Unfurl
  • Released: 15 February 2019[42]
  • Label: Infectious
  • Format: Digital download, CD
11 184
[43]
38 54 31
Blood Moon
  • Released: 17 June 2022[44]
  • Label: Infectious
  • Format: Digital download, CD
151 68

Extended plays

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Title Details Certification
Berlin
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Infectious Music UK
  • Format: Digital download, 12" vinyl

Singles

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Year Title Peak chart positions Album
UK
[13]
BEL
(FL)
Tip

[38]
BEL
(WA)
Tip

[46]
FRA
[11]
GER
[12]
2013 "Berlin" 38 42* 15 46 Berlin EP
2014 "Love Like This" Non-album single
2016 "Sweat (Dusk Sessions)" Dawn
"Howling" Dawn
2017 "Bad Love" Non-album single
2018 "Untold" 9* Unfurl
"YaYaYa" 19*
2019 "Thunder" Non-album single

*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.

Awards & Accolades

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Grammy Awards

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As the only peer-recognized music award, the GRAMMY is the music industry’s highest honor[47]

Year Category Nominee/Work Result Ref
2022 Best Dance/Electronic Album Black Coffee - Subconciously Winner [48]
2016 Best Remixed Recording Only (Kaskade x Lipless Remix) Nominee [49]

Australian Music Prize

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The Australian Music Prize has provided a mouthpiece to the best albums in Australian contemporary music. Now in its 19th year, the prize is widely recognised as the most prestigious award for Australian recording artists [50]

Year Category Nominee/Work Result Ref
2022 Best albums of 2022 by Australian artists Blood Moon Nominee [51]

Music Week Awards

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The Music Week Awards are the UK's only music awards that recognise labels, publishing, live, retail, A&R, radio, marketing and PR - all parts of this industry we love.[52]

Year Category Nominee/Work Result Ref
2021 Sync of the Year Berlin - Normal People Nominee [53]

Dolphin Awards

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The NCEIA Dolphin Music Awards are an annual iconic local music event, organised by the North Coast Entertainment Industry Association (NCEIA).[54]

Year Category Nominee/Work Result Ref
2013 Best Pop Song Berlin Winner [55]
2013 Best New Artist RY X Winner

Other appearances

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References

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  1. ^ a b Cantiello, Jim (20 August 2010). "Maroon 5 Tourmate Ry Cuming Shares Portraits of Life on the Road". MTV. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  2. ^ The Line of Best Fit.com RY X announces London show for December 2013
  3. ^ DumontDumont: RY X page Archived 7 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b Ry X Frank Wiedemann present The Howling Archived 10 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Lee, Ann (13 March 2018). "Ry X: 'I'm Just Trying To Love Everyone I Meet A Lot'". The Culture Trip.
  6. ^ Reid, Poppy (17 June 2022). "RY X: "Music And Dance Are The Two Most Powerful Art Forms"". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b Kerr, Scott. "RY X Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Ry Cuming (album)". Allmusic. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  9. ^ "KYYY: RY Cuming". 92.9 FM – Y-93. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  10. ^ Nordic Waves: RY X – Berlin Archived 11 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ a b "Discographie RY X". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  12. ^ a b "Discographie RY X". German Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).[dead link]
  13. ^ a b "UK Charts > RY X". Official Charts Company.
  14. ^ "Listen: Sam Smith covers RY X's "Berlin"". Consequence of Sound. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  15. ^ "Adam Freeland, RY X and Steve Nalepa are The Acid". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  16. ^ a b Pareles, Jon (4 May 2016). "Review: RY X Stretches Pop Structures on 'Dawn'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  17. ^ "iTunesCharts.net: 'Dawn' by RY X (British Albums iTunes Chart)". www.itunescharts.net. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  18. ^ "Ry X". Songkick. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  19. ^ a b Bowmer, Sam (30 June 2022). "RY X on His New Album 'Blood Moon' and Collaborating with Drake". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  20. ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & (20 June 2022). "Ry X - Blood Moon". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 16 January 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "RY X • Red Light Management". Red Light Management. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  22. ^ Staff, Notion (20 May 2022). "RY X: "There Was A Lot of Space In My Youth"". Notion. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Imre & Marne van Opstal – Ry X – Blood Moon". imremarnevanopstal.com. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  24. ^ "RY X - Blood Moon". www.traxsource.com. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  25. ^ "RY X Teams Up With Pegasus Distillerie for New Music Video for "Moths (Night Odyssey)"". pm studio world wide news (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  26. ^ Lugen, Mikala (16 September 2022). ""Easily the Hardest Show We've Ever Pulled Off": Watch RY X's Mesmerizing Cercle Performance". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Vibiana | Vibiana DTLA Performance from Ry X". www.vibiana.com. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  28. ^ "fabric announce immersive event at St Paul's Cathedral with RY X". Mixmag. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  29. ^ Dolan, Leah (15 September 2023). "This 350-year-old London landmark just hosted its first techno night". CNN. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Howling's Ry X To Play Live With Orchestra Next Year In Berlin". Telekom Electronic Beats. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Ry X & Münchner Rundfunkorchester". www.muffatwerk.de (in German). Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  32. ^ "RY X embraced by Brussels Philharmonic Soloists". Brussels Philharmonic. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  33. ^ "RY X announces one off London show with The London Contemporary Orchestra". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  34. ^ "RY & London Contemporary Orchestra - Live From The Royal Albert Hall". The Electric Church. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Multi-faceted artist RY X Performs with the LA Phil | LA Phil | Walt Disney Concert Hall". LA Phil. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  36. ^ "RY X with the London Philharmonic Orchestra". LPO. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  37. ^ "RY X and London Contemporary Orchestra". St Paul's Cathedral. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  38. ^ a b "ultratop.be – Discografie Ry X". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  39. ^ "lescharts.com – Discographie Ry X". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  40. ^ "dutchcharts.nl – Discografie Ry X". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  41. ^ "hitparade.ch – Discographie Ry X". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  42. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (9 October 2018). "RY X announces second album with lead track 'Untold'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  43. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes – SNEP (Week 8, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  44. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (25 March 2022). "RY X announces third album with new single "Your Love"". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  45. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  46. ^ "Discographie RY X". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  47. ^ "We are the official site of the GRAMMY Awards, Music's Biggest Night | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  48. ^ "South African DJ Black Coffee wins first Grammy Award - Pie Radio". www.pieradio.co.uk. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  49. ^ "CONCORD MUSIC GROUP SCORES 18 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS - Concord". concord.com. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  50. ^ "The Soundmerch Australian Music Prize". The Soundmerch Australian Music Prize. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  51. ^ "Nominees". The Soundmerch Australian Music Prize. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  52. ^ "Music Week Awards 2024". www.musicweekawards.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  53. ^ "Music Week Awards 2021 finalists revealed". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  54. ^ "NCEIA Dolphin Music Awards About - Mission Statement". NCEIA. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  55. ^ "Ry X on how his Northern NSW roots keep him grounded amidst rising stardom". ABC listen. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
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