Words by Christopher Kevin Au

Having just released his debut single, Ric Rufio’s resume is already stacked with some of the world’s biggest names.

As a backup singer and musician, he’s worked with local heroes like Daniel Johns, Nick Murphy and Kirin J Callinan, while he recently donned a schmick black suit to perform on Adele’s colossal Australian tour. No big deal, right? Now, Ric Rufio’s first original track has been revealed, earning a premiere from Richard Kingsmill on Triple J. It’s been uploaded to the Internet for your listening pleasure, so click play:

The aptly titled ‘So Wonderful’ shows Rufio’s clear appreciation for classic R&B, while electronic production hovers between more subtle beats and a chirpy, lively hook. It’s the first taste of his Rewind EP, and it’s looking ultra promising. Below, we chat to Rufio about his debut single, footy and his bold claims that he invented the Indian kebab:

Richard Kingsmill just premiered your debut single ‘So Wonderful’ on Triple J. Was it as nerve-racking as you imagined, and what has the reception been so far?

Yeah, I was actually pretty nervous about the interview to be honest – I mean, I’ve heard so many of them on Richard’s show over the years, so it was pretty wild that I was up next. As soon as it started though, it felt great and as soon as I finished my phone was lighting up with love from friends and tonnes of people in the industry sending some love.

You have been doing studio and live work with everyone from Daniel Johns to Nick Murphy. Why was now the right time to drop an original track?

I’ve found things like this always take longer than what you originally hoped. When I came back from the US/UK a year ago I started writing like a madman – I thought this single was ready last September, but then it needed some more edits. My manager Kurt has been great at helping me be patient and waiting for the right time get this stuff rolling.

The song has a heavy electronic presence on the production. Can we expect similar beats on other songs from your EP?

Yeah definitely, yet in saying that there are some slightly different vibes running through these new tracks, which are probably tied together by that 90s R&B inspired sense of vocals/melody.

You name classic R&B artists like Boyz II Men and Sade as influences. Are you a fan of more club-heavy R&B that gets played nowadays?

Totally, I love PARTYNEXTDOOR and Jeremih tracks in the club, but I probably gravitate more towards the chill vibes of artists like Frank Ocean, Solange and Majid Jordan.

One massive trend over the past few years has been recycling classic R&B or pop hooks into new songs. If you could reimagine one hook into your own track, what would it be and what would it sound like?

Probably something amazing like Tevin Cambell’s ‘Can We Talk?’ or Sade’s ‘No Ordinary Love.’

You recently sung on Adele’s massive Australian tour for ‘Skyfall’. What was it like performing at shows of that size? Do you have any neat stories from the shows?

Apart from how truly incredible it was singing with her on such a massive production, I was joking with the other singers that I would’ve made more money selling the free tickets they gave us than from how much I was actually paid for the gig. Jokes aside, it was an amazing experience that I’ll always cherish.

We hear that you are a big NRL fan. What do you think is the greatest Grand Final musical guest in history?

Easily Tina Turner in 1993 singing ‘Simply The Best’ with a topless guy in leather pants miming the sax solo. Also, I’d like to add that my childhood dream was to not only sing the anthem at a Grand Final Manly were playing in, but to rip open the shirt under the suit I would be wearing (like Clark Kent/Superman) to reveal a Manly jersey and yell ‘Go Manly!’ after the final note of my performance.

We also hear that you claim to be the inventor of the Indian kebab. Huge. Can you please run us through this please?

This claim is 100% correct. Long story short, I showed a certain Indian Home Diner in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs (on multiple occasions) how to make a kebab using their naan and chicken tikka as primary ingredients. Years later, they put up signs claiming to be the creators of the ‘Indian Kebab.’ I can’t go more detail right now, but I just want people to know that I’m not after the money, just some recognition and respect.

What’s on the cards for Ric Rufio for the rest of 2017?

Another single and an EP are coming, plus a whole bunch of shows/tours which haven’t yet been announced. It’s looking like it could be a fun year.