The Story Behind Ruka
Ruka had to be my first release. More than just a song, it represents effort, persistence, and the beginning of a journey that changed my life.
When I started working on it, I was learning music production from scratch. At the same time, I was trying to understand how Ableton worked, while also struggling with one of the most difficult aspects of making music: arrangement. No matter what I tried, nothing sounded like an actual song. Every idea felt unfinished, and there were moments when I felt completely foolish for even trying.
Then, while browsing through Skillshare, I came across a tutorial by a creator whose name I unfortunately can't remember—though I believe they were Dutch. The class focused on arranging songs in Ableton and, more importantly, on how to think about structure and composition. For the first time, something clicked.
Suddenly, I was able to take an idea and shape it into something that resembled a real track. Piece by piece, Ruka began to come together. The excitement I felt in that moment is difficult to describe. After countless failed attempts, I had finally created something that sounded like music.
Finishing the composition, however, was only the beginning. I tried to mix and master the track myself, but quickly realized that my ears simply weren't ready for that challenge. I experimented, made mistakes, and eventually decided to seek help. The search wasn't easy—I worked with three or four different people before finding someone who truly understood the sound I was aiming for. When I finally found the right collaborator, everything fell into place.
Looking back, Ruka taught me much more than how to make a song. It taught me how to release music, how to set up my Spotify profile, and how to navigate the countless details that come with sharing your work with the world. In many ways, it was the song that started everything.
That is why Ruka remains my favorite track. It was the hardest song I have ever made. I'm sure more difficult challenges lie ahead, but none of them will ever be quite like this one, because this was the beginning—the moment that set everything in motion.
The song will always hold a special place in my heart because it reminds me where I started and proves that nothing is impossible. Every time I listen to it, I feel a sense of release and relief, as though I'm reliving the moment I overcame something that once seemed impossible.
Perhaps the song won't mean the same thing to you as it does to me, but I hope you'll enjoy it all the same. For me, Ruka will always be a reminder that every journey begins with uncertainty, persistence, and the courage to keep going.
You can listen to the track here, or on Spotify.
If you'd like to support me directly, you can purchase Ruka on Bandcamp.