Minuit frontwoman Ruth Carr: 'Female musicians being forgotten is a pet peeve'
Charismatic singer Ruth Carr led local electro-pop trio Minuit to glory in the 2000s - now she's hitting the stage one last time.
After forming in Nelson in the late '90s, Kiwi dance outfit Minuit – French for ‘midnight’ - called it quits in 2012.
As singer Ruth Carr hits the gym to prepare for three reunion shows this winter, she's viewing the Minuit tour as a way to show gratitude for fans and also stand up for female musicians of the 2000s whose legacies often get eclipsed by male collaborators.
"That has always been a pet peeve of mine," she tells Music 101
Minuit in 2025 (left to right - Paul Dodge, Ruth Carr and Ryan Beehre)
Supplied
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In Minuit's music, synth sounds, sub bass and break beats Dodge created with fellow multi-instrumentalist and producer Ryan Beehre act as a heady bed for Carr’s distinctive Nina Simone-inspired vocals.
Over the years the band released seven albums, including the gold-selling The 88 (2003) and Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death.com (2009) which spawned their hit 'Aotearoa'.
Minuit songs featured on many television shows at this time, too, including the local comedy Outrageous Fortune, and a 2010 episode of the American medical drama Grey's Anatomy.
“I can't remember how much we got, but of course me and Paul immediately blew it. It was different to see this totally international programme, really highly respected, featuring all these amazing artists, and then all of a sudden your little tune would pop up. It was quite surreal.”
Before committing to play Minuit reunion shows in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, Carr had to get go-ahead from her son, who she says is not a fan of her singing
‘What do you think if me and Dad [Carr’s partner and Minuit bandmate Paul Dodge] do some gigs?’ He was like, 'Go on', so I was like ‘Okay, sweet!’
Frontwoman of electropop group Minuit, Ruth Carr
Ishna Jacobs
Now is a good time for one last Minuit tour, Carr says, because her body isn't getting any younger.
"In another 10 years I'll be 62, and I think I would probably will pop a hip on stage."
Although she was once kept fit by frequent performing, Carr says she's a "quite a lazy person" these days. To pull off 90 minutes of singing and dancing onstage, she's started working out - an adventure in itself.
"The gym is a whole new world for me."
Paul Dodge, Ruth Carr and Ryan Beehre onstage.
Georgia Schofield Photography
