Irish alt-rocker Ria Rua unpacks the fury and symbolism behind her debut album ‘S C A P E G.O.A.T.’ – a blistering record that confronts misogyny, conformity, and patriarchal power head-on – discussing protest as personal truth, media hypocrisy and scapegoating, ADHD as both chaos and creative fuel, and why she refuses to surrender creative control or soften her voice for anyone.

Stream: ‘S C A P E G.O.A.T.’ – Ria Rua

Ria Rua is pissed.

And the way she’s using her voice to extinguish inequality is like sucking the oxygen from a dumpster fire.

On her debut album, S C A P E G.O.A.T. (out February 27), the Irish alt-rocker takes on big, burly themes like conformity, misogyny and patriarchal oppression. The opening track is an outright challenge to listeners: “Now that I have your attention / It’s time to question your life.”

But her outspokenness isn’t confined to these 10 tracks – it’s been a lifetime of questioning disparity with an enviable mix of resolve and audacity.

S C A P E G.O.A.T. - Ria Rua — S C A P E G.O.A.T. – Ria Rua

“The world we live in is desperate for a bit of truth for a change, and to paraphrase Orwell, ‘when lies are popular, telling the truth is a revolutionary act,’” she says. “I think all I can do is tell my truth and hope it connects with the people out there. I hope anyone who feels powerless listens to this album and finds the courage to take control of their life – to make hard choices that improve their lives, whatever that may be.”

Growing up in rural Meath, Ireland – home to the storied Hill of Tara – Ria has carved a distinct path from percussion ensembles and marching bands to industrial alt-rock. Where the Hill of Tara holds ancient stories, Ria tells modern ones about ADHD, bisexuality and creating a sense of belonging for young neurodivergent and queer women often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

The album, which she co-produced with Just Chris, and was mixed by Grammy-winner Ruadhri Cushnan (George Michael, Mumford & Sons, Ed Sheeran), changes that. Early releases, “Ass Movin” and “It’s a Hit” channel personal anger into a useful force.

“I grew up very confused about the world, I really never settled in. It was all very shocking to me. Kinda like I just woke up and I was in a crazy episode of Star Trek Next Generation, and I had to just figure it out and get on with it,” she says. “I feel upset everyday about this world I live in. I watch as it burns but I have to work to pay rent and bills and repair this broken heart with the only thing I have to stop it bleeding out.”

With the release of her debut album and an upcoming tour, Atwood Magazine caught up with Ria Rua for a candid conversation about her music, her story and why she won’t hold back.

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:: stream/purchase S C A P E G.O.A.T. here ::

:: connect with Ria Rua here ::

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Stream: “Ass Movin’” – Ria Rua

A CONVERSATION WITH RIA RUA

Atwood Magazine: You open the album with “Now that I have your attention, it’s time to question your life,” which immediately sets the tone for the record as a challenge to not be complicit. What was the goal? Do you remember the moment that inspired those lyrics?

Ria Rua: Hell yeah! I am so mad about the world right now. This song speaks truth to power. Like how can those people live with themselves? I don’t want to live in a world that it’s acceptable to see people being murdered on the streets, imprisoned (Trump’s America, f**k you Trump) or not believed for their trauma (the 1000s of women who came forward against Epstein, how the hell do you expect women to feel safe enough to come forward in the future if this is the system we live in). It only seems to matter to people when they are losing power or losing money. It is sickening. This song, like every song I write, it’s through the lens of personal events.

There is so much packed into “You’ll Only Like Me When I’m Dead,” especially the back-and-forth between “I like you” and “kill.” Is that based on a personal experience or is it just artistic license?

Ria Rua: “You’ll Only Like Me When I’m Dead” is about the media’s treatment of Sinead O’Connor. I found it really hard to wrap my head around the treatment of her when she was alive vs when she passed. The difference really upset me. They treated her like a “mad woman” from early on. But she was telling her truth and the truth about the church. I felt a strong connection to being labeled crazy, mad or sick, and I was thinking of my own death and how those people will show up at my funeral with the same public change of heart.

You’ve called it a “protest album” – tackling big themes like power, patriarchy, conformity and identity. Do you think music can change the status quo or is it more of a conversation-starter?

Ria Rua: The world we live in is desperate for a bit of truth for a change, and to paraphrase Orwell, “when lies are popular, telling the truth is a revolutionary act”.

I think all I can do is tell my truth and hope it connects with the people out there. I have been put in many boxes in my life, mainly ones I didn’t want any part of. Luckily, I got out. I hope that anyone who feels powerless listens to this album and gets courage to take control of their life – to make hard choices which make their lives better, whatever that may be (but also I know it is not always possible).

Who are you hoping feels seen or empowered by it?

Ria Rua: Who I’m trying the hardest to reach is people who are interested in making the world a better place for everyone. At the heart of my critiques and anger is optimism that things can change for the better. F**k the billionaires!

You have a very strong sense of identity. Where does that come from and how do you protect it?

Ria Rua: Ah. Well, that’s a big question. First, I learned the hard way that people will try and make you conform to their worldview and beliefs, and if you’re not careful your whole life will be spent living an extension of theirs.

But because I had to fight hard to be free of a lot of things, I appreciate my freedom a lot. And I won’t so easily give it away.

And it is a lot more fun being you instead of trying to please everyone else.

The term scapegoat carries a double meaning – as a fall guy and a biblical symbol. What drew you to that word, and how do those two meanings shape the album, for you?

Ria Rua: Yes, it has two meanings to me… The first being a fall guy. One of the truths of power is that it’s easier to scapegoat a powerless person than fix the problems that hurt the majority, but help the hyper wealthy. Scapegoats allow those in power avoid accountability for their own behavior. I feel like we are in a critical point in time where either someone finds a way to hold those in power accountable, or we’re done for.

There is another meaning to the title but it’s for me x

The goat’s name is Snowy, by the way.

As for religious connotations… No, it wasn’t on my mind until random religious people started sending me hate mail about the goat, calling me satanic, etc.

Which lyric do you get excited to sing live?

Ria Rua: That’s probably the line, “How do I – legally – dump you into a ditch” from my song “Bitchshemian Rhapody.” It makes me feel empowered and it makes people smile. ☺

Which song gets the strongest reaction from fans?

Ria Rua: Probably “Ass Movin’.” I switch things up and play drums for that live, at the front of the stage. People definitely are surprised. That song also has a big ending and when it ends there’s usually a second or two of WTF was that crazy song!

The other one that gets a big response is “I Love That For You.” That song is very personal, but lyrically a lot of people tend to see themselves in it. So, the reaction can be very intense.

You co-produced the album. How important was it for you to have that level of control over how these songs actually sound?

Ria Rua: Well, when I started making music, I produced it all myself. The co- part was about me giving up a bit of control to someone I trust, so I can focus more on the emotional and creative side.

It’s also worth noting that the only real control I have is over my music – what it’s about and how it sounds – and I have no intention of casually giving that up. My production is very full on and jam packed so I really benefited from a co-producer that could organize my thoughts, and Just Chris does that so well.

I think everything someone does sends a message, and I feel that’s especially true for you – the symbolism, strong word choices, right down to your logo (bloody, broken heart with a bandage). It seems very intentional. How do you think about symbolism as part of your overall storytelling? What message do you want people to take away or do you want to leave it up to interpretation?

Ria Rua: My music and imagery very much starts with a direct, sometimes even unconscious series of connections… feelings, things that happen to me, hopes, fears, etc., all come spilling out and a lot of times I pick through these things and figure out what I’m talking about… music and art are tools I use to process the world around me.

I’m not one for metaphors or talking in parables, but I do think visual imagery can make things clear in ways words can’t. Words fail, see image, etc. So, to me, visuals are a deliberate attempt to distill complex truths into easy to comprehend images.

The RR bandage is directly linked to my life… it’s a way to repair the broken heart created by a world that’s seemingly gone mad.

I grew up very confused about the world, I really never settled in. It was all very shocking to me. Kinda like I just woke up and I was in a crazy episode of star trek next generation and I had to just figure it out and get on with it.

So, to answer your question, there would never be Ria Rua without symbolism, because at the end of the day I am hurt. I feel upset everyday about this world I live in. I watch as it burns but I have to work to pay rent and bills and repair this broken heart with the only thing I have to stop it bleeding out.

Other artists have described ADHD as both a curse and a superpower – which one is it for you? Can you use it to your advantage?

Ria Rua: I would tell you every day is a different day with having ADHD and that is truly exciting and what do ADHD people love the most? Excitement hahaha! For music it is amazing! And also for random ideas? The besttttt, but for everyday living not so great, I need a lot of help lol. Thankfully I have amazing people around me.

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