Ruban Nielson is a New Zealand musician, singer and songwriter, best known for being the frontman of the psychedelic rock band Unknown Mortal Orchestra. One of the most acclaimed New Zealand musicians of his generation, he has won two Aotearoa music awards and an APRA Silver Scroll, over the course of his band's five studio albums and one extended play.
Born in Darwin, Australia, to a Hawaiian mother and a Maori father, Nielson was raised in Orewa, Auckland in a working-class musical family. After support from his teachers at Orewa College, Nielson attended Elam, Auckland's most eminent Fine Arts school. He graduated in 2002 as a recipient Sir James Wallace art award, one year after forming The Mint Chicks with Paul Roper, Michael Logie and his brother Kody Nielson. The four members met at Orewa College, although the band started moving between Portland, Oregon, where Nielson would later be based, and Auckland. The band, known for its nihilistic ideology, disorderly behaviour, neo-punk elements and groundbreaking discography, broke up following Ruban's departure. Nielson subsequently attempted to quit music, but he found himself increasingly passionate about it, and formed a more experimental and psychedelic band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, with musician Jake Portrait. His brother Kody also has performed drums on almost every Unknown Mortal Orchestra album.
Nielson achieved critical acclaim and success worldwide with the band's self-titled debut album Unknown Mortal Orchestra, released in 2011. The album won the Taite music prize the following year. Further success came with II, released in 2013, and the group began selling out shows across North America. Nielson's global breakthrough album is considered to be the multi-award winning third effort Multi-Love, which made it high onto lists by The Guardian, NME and Consequence of Sound for the best albums of 2015. Singles "Multi-Love" and "Can't Keep Checking My Phone" were both A-listed at BBC's 6 Music. The album was considered to be, by far, Nielson's most personal; thematically, it was centered on a year-long polyamorous relationship he and his wife had with a younger woman from Tokyo, and the feelings of experimentation and euphoria, and the romantic turmoil of its end after the woman's visa expired. Two more acclaimed albums, Sex + Food, and the instrumental IC-01 Hanoi, followed in 2018.
Nielson continues to live in the United States with his family. He has become a symbol of the rejuvenation of psychedelic music in Australasia, alongside the likes of Tame Impala, Connan Mockasin, LEISURE and Pond. NME has summed up Nielson as a master in creating "works of warm, fuzzy beauty." Nielson remains humble and jocular, saying in response to being described as a musical provocateur; "No, I don't purposefully go out to try and do that......but it is really fun."
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Some of their strengths
Ruban Nielson has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Generous, Creative, Intuitive, Kind, Imaginative, and Brave.
Soulful and Understanding
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Ruban Nielson is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who sees life as a journey not a destination.
Soulful and Intuitive
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Ruban Nielson well know them as someone who can be graceful, romantic, and reserved, like gentle rain.
Inventive and Clever
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Ruban Nielson as someone who is flexible, intelligent, and quick-witted.
A person who likes to be creative, and to be recognized for their artistic talents. Who possesses intelligence, mental discipline, and ambition, and who does well in relationships and partnerships.
Social and Intuitive
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Ruban Nielson is someone who values forming deep friendships and relationships, and who has strong intuition and reasoning skills .
They are also someone who is creative, expressive, and insightful, and who has a pioneering spirit with self-determination and natural artistic expression.
Creative and Imaginative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Ruban Nielson tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.
Some of Ruban Nielson's challenges
While Ruban Nielson has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Ruban Nielson can be Indecisive, Emotional, Unrealistic, Short-tempered, Impulsive, Standoffish, and Unfocused.
Indecisive and Unrealistic
One of Ruban Nielson's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.
Ruban Nielson must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive, and can be excessive and unrealistic.
Unfocused and Indecisive
Ruban Nielson is someone who can be scattered, restless, and insensitive, be distracted by fluctuating professional interests, be a workaholic, and who can be arrogant and have difficulty accepting advice.
Lethargic and Unrealistic
Finally, Ruban Nielson also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.
