Lawrence Arabia is the musical guise of New Zealand artist James Milne. Travelling Shoes is the first track that features on Volume 1 of the RUBY album. James recently answered a few questions for us..

What is the inspiration behind the song? What is it all about?

It's about that magical time between adolescence and adulthood when you're discovering your identity and place in the world, expressing yourself outrageously and making plans for escape.

Who did you work with on the song?

Connan Mockasin, Elroy Finn and I recorded the original instrumental, then there's a string section with Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, Rachel Wells and Andrew Keoghan, plus Hayden Eastmond-Mein's singing unison vocals with me on the chorus.

Does it have a video? What is that about?

We filmed some live footage up at Whangateau Hall in Rodney District and the video's going to be cut from that.

What other New Zealand Artists do you live up to?

Chris Knox, the Finns, the Clean, the Front Lawn. Emily Perkins, Sam Hunt, Taika Waititi, Fiona Connor, Phoenix Foundation, Connan Mockasin, the Lil' Chief crew – Scott Mannion, Jonathan Bree.

What instruments do you play?

In descending order of proficiency – guitar, bass, piano, drums, banjo, recorder.

What do you consider when you are getting dressed to perform (clothes / makeup / hair do etc)?

Pretty much doing anything to guard against being perceived as a dork. My anti style hero is Mr G from Summer Heights High, who someone in an audience was once overheard chillingly comparing my appearance to. That really got me down. So I always try to not look like Mr G.

http://www.lawrencearabia.com/

Lia is our final contributor to the RUBY store playlists for this season. While studying Fine Arts at the University of Auckland, Lia walked into the 95bFM offices and found her musical outlet - sharing tunes with anyone who would listen. She's spent the past four years interviewing artists, producing and hosting shows on the radio station and is now behind the wheel of the Monday afternoon Drive show. Each week she can be heard orchestrating an eclectic blend of tunes, chats and features.

During the day Lia is usually found buried in books, but at night has a fitting soundtrack to accompany her while she's immersed in darkness working on her photography practice or djing at bars, events and house parties around the city.

Playlist #1 - Booty - Loot, swag, treasure, a person's buttocks.

Playlist track listing...

Playlist #2 - Pop - Explode, burst, go off, popular music.

*Have you ever grooved in front of the mirror pretending to be your favourite star? Have you ever danced so hard you sweated until your clothes came off? With somebody who loves you? This compliation brings together popular music throughout the ages that is both explosive and heartfelt. Enjoy and lip synch along, c'mon you know you want to.

Playlist track listing...

The third RUBY store music contributor is Hannah Sarney. Hannah has spent the past six years hosting and producing shows on Auckland radio station 95bFM and is currently settled into the Saturday night request show. Throughout the years she's always tried to slip in enough swoon tunes to make the whole city weak at their knees. She's also taken this endeavour outside of the studio by moonlighting as a press-play-in-tunes DJ at a few of her favourite bars (and weddings) around Auckland.

In her 'real job' she is a producer for one of New Zealand's leading news websites. She's in charge of sorting through and editing down the daily death, destruction and intolerance that amounts to 'world news'. It also involves countless hours spent swivelling in an office chair with headphones glued to her ears. It is music that helps to remind her that the world still has some goodness in it - or at least some hopeful/hopeless romance.

Playlist #1 - Swoon 1 - Heart-ache, heart-break and heart-shakes.

Have you ever caught sight of someone and felt your stomach flutter? Have they made yoru chest pound, your cheeks turn pink, or your knees feel weak? Have you caught yourself drifting off in a warm haze of thoughts about the two of you together? Have you ever desperately wanted to pull them aside and gush about how much you adore them? Has that resulted in you onlybeing able to muster a sheepish smile? Have you ever fallen in love?

This is a two-part collection of songs that capture those joyous/crushed feelings in your heart and say everything you've never quite had the courage to say yourself.

Playlist track listing...

Playlist #2 - Swoon 2