Ruth Moody

Ruth Moody

Ruth Moody is an Australian-born, Canadian-based soprano singer-songwriter. She grows up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and begins classical training at the age of four. Although her siblings play stringed instruments, she does not take up one herself in childhood and starts vocal training in her mid-teens instead.

Early life and education

Moody studies English and French literature at university in 1993, intending to become a teacher like her parents. In 1996, she decides to build a career in folk music instead. Alongside singing, she later adds guitar to a list of instruments that already includes piano, bodhrán, accordion and banjo.

Scrüj MacDuhk and The Wailin’ Jennys

Her first band is the roots group Scrüj MacDuhk, where she is lead singer from 1997 until the band breaks up in 2001. The group is Juno-nominated. After that split, she focuses more on songwriting and begins collaborating with Nicky Mehta and Cara Luft. The three first perform together as The Wailin’ Jennys in 2002. The trio later consists of Moody, Mehta and New York-based Heather Masse. The Wailin’ Jennys win international critical acclaim and several awards, including a Juno Award for 40 Days. They tour in North America, Europe and Australia.

Solo and other work

Moody releases two full-length solo albums and an EP. She also releases Blue Muse, a solo EP, and South Bound, an album made with former Scrüj MacDuhk members Jeremy Penner and Oliver Swain.