Flower Face - The Shark In Your Water (EP) + 10 Questions

A multi-hyphenate artist, Ruby McKinnon creates melancholic folk music with a bedroom pop heart under the moniker Flower Face. Taking inspiration from her own vertiginous life experiences, alongside such varied sources as Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events, Jesus Christ Superstar, the oeuvre of Mads Mikkelsen and her dog Ziggy, Flower Face’s musical testimonials recall the jagged emotion of Bright Eyes while conjuring the ethereal ecstasy of a fresh wound.

In 2018, McKinnon expanded her sound, hooking up with producer and long-time family friend Joshua Kaiser for her breakthrough sophomore release, Baby Teeth. Featuring an increasingly evocative sonic palette and deeper thematic constructs, the album dealt with, among other things, McKinnon’s own battle with stage three ovarian cancer at the age of 17. Thinking back on her diagnosis, McKinnon says it was her “close brush with the grim reaper” that ultimately made her realise she needed to pursue a career in music.

In 2022, Flower Face is set to release the highly anticipated follow-up to Baby Teeth: The Shark In Your Water. Speaking of the album, which marks her Nettwerk Records debut, McKinnon says, “The Shark In Your Water is an exploration of the self and how that is impacted and transformed by trauma, grief, love, heartbreak and the struggle of identity.”

Produced by McKinnon, Kaiser, Jay Merrow and Alex Bonenfant at Toronto’s Dreamhouse Studios, The Shark in Your Water not only marks the next phase in Flower Face’s stratospheric musical trajectory but also serves as a showcase for McKinnon’s artistic prowess – she puts her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree to use on the album’s cover art, video production and editing.

Flower Face sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

 My parents have always been music fans, so they introduced me to a lot when I was a kid. From a young age I was listening to a lot of Tom Waits, Neil Young, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, The Tragically Hip, The White Stripes… and a lot of really out there stuff too. I started piano lessons when I was 5, so classical music has always been a big part of my life too. There was never a time where I wasn’t interested in music.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

The National is one of my all time favourite bands, and I’d love to get to work with them someday. There are too many to list, really!

3.  What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

My main focus is The Shark in Your Water right now, but more things are brewing for sure.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Something you can drown in.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

On my recent tour with SYML, we played a sold out show in Montreal. It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever played to, and I also recently moved to Montreal, so it felt really great getting such an amazing response from this city. I was terrified but it was so much fun.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

You really just have to put in the time and work. I’ve been doing this for a decade and only now do I feel like it’s actually paying off. It’s hard not to give up, because the world can be really discouraging, so you have to truly be doing it for yourself before anyone else.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

I love Aurora, her voice is otherworldly. Also Julia Jacklin - I’m really looking forward to her new record.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Real Gone by Tom Waits, Set My Heart on Fire Immediately by Perfume Genius. The new Harry Styles album. I’ve also been listening to a lot of soundtracks - like Succession Season 3. And this movie I just saw called Pleasure, by a Swedish director - the soundtrack is crazy good.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I read a lot. I also like to cook, and so I’ll make these really elaborate fancy meals, usually just for my boyfriend and I to eat in my little kitchen. I love going for walks, so I’m glad the weather is improving.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Massive amounts of water, dark chocolate and peanut butter, comfy sweaters.