Rubens is the collective project of Glasgow based Mark Flanagan (previous solo work under the ~ism guise) and Ayrshire based Gordon MacDermid. With an emphasis on fun filled electronic melodies and a blend of electro and acoustic drum beats, the Rubens sound is primarily about putting a smile on your face while getting the head nodding. With a shared love of all things electronic and braindance with key influences including the likes of Boards of Canada, Autechre, RDJ, Arovane, Caribou/Manitoba through to Depeche Mode, Neu!, Black Dog, Eno, Bowie and Talking Heads to name but just a few.

The debut album from Rubens, 'Carnivalesque' is out now on Herb Recordings, and can be purchased from the likes of Boomkat, Piccadilly Records, Rough Trade and good local independents. A limited edition 7" double-A promo single(Puggies/Vertical Hold)and a 12" remix ep (Breaking Into Smile - feat. remixes by The Black Dog, Dextro and Kirk Degiorgio)are also available from the same outlets.

Aside from original material, Rubens have also turned their hand to some remix and collaboration projects with some well received results including work with fellow Scottish electronic artists Dextro (Jumblefunk/Border Community/16K Records), Mosca (Retropublik/Herb Recordings) and similarly melodic flavoured collabs with South London's New City 16 (Retropublik).

With a live set (with a live drummer and guitarist involved), the Rubens workshop has taken to the stage at various gigs around Glasgow, with plans for more in the near future. Stay tuned here for more noises along these lines...

Meantime - visit the MySpace site at myspace.com/rubensuk for all the latest info and snash on the band.