Who Is Ruban Nielson? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Ruban Nielson is 45 years old. He was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and gained fame as the frontman of the critically acclaimed band Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Known for his eclectic style, Nielson's work often merges psychedelic rock with lo-fi aesthetics, resulting in a sound that is both innovative and timeless. His journey through the music industry is detailed in several interviews and articles, highlighting his evolution as an artist and musician.
| Occupation | Songwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1980 |
| Age | 45 Years |
| Birth Place | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Australia |
Popularity
Ruban Nielson's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Ruban Nielson stands at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall, with a lean build that complements his energetic stage presence. While exact weight details are not publicly disclosed, his active lifestyle and artistic commitment contribute to his overall health and appearance. Nielson’s body stats reflect his dedication to both music and personal well-being.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Ruban Nielson has maintained a relatively private personal life. As of 2025, he reportedly is in a happy relationship, though details about his girlfriend have been kept under wraps. Previous sources indicate that he values his family life and often draws inspiration from personal experiences for his music. Nielson is known to be close to his family, and his upbringing in New Zealand has significantly influenced his artistic expressions.
Born in Darwin, Australia, to a Hawaiian mother and a Māori father, Nielson was raised in Orewa, Auckland in a musical family. Nielson attended Elam, and graduated in 2002 as a recipient of the Sir James Wallace art award, one year after forming The Mint Chicks with Paul Roper, Michael Logie and his brother Kody Nielson.
The four members met at Orewa College, although the band started moving between Portland, Oregon, where Nielson would later be based, and Auckland. The band, known for its nihilistic ideology, disorderly behaviour and neo-punk elements, broke up following Ruban's departure.
Nielson subsequently formed a more experimental and psychedelic band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, with musician Jake Portrait. His brother Kody also has performed drums on almost every Unknown Mortal Orchestra album.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Ruban Nielson's net worth is estimated to be in the range of $3 million to $5 million. His earnings are derived from multiple sources, including album sales, streaming revenue, and live performances. Nielson's success with Unknown Mortal Orchestra has played a major role in his financial stability, allowing him to invest in various projects and ventures.
Career, Business and Investments
Ruban Nielson's career has been marked by innovation and artistic exploration. He formed Unknown Mortal Orchestra in 2010, which gained immediate critical acclaim. The band has released several albums, with hits that resonate with diverse audiences. Besides music, Nielson has ventured into production and collaborations with other artists, expanding his influence in the industry. Additionally, he may be exploring sustainable business investments reflecting his interests in eco-friendly initiatives.
Nielson left The Mint Chicks in the beginning of 2010, citing a loss of interest in the group's music. Following an incident during one of the band's live performances and Nielson's subsequent departure, The Mint Chicks broke up. Nielson had already returned to Portland, Oregon, where he began working at a film production company as an illustrator.
He quickly found himself wanting to write and record music again and began searching for "psychedelic records with lost tunes" for inspiration. Nielson had become very specific about what type of record he wanted to find for inspiration and, with that specificity, began making that record himself instead.
Once he had finished writing and recording the first song, Nielson uploaded it anonymously on May 17, 2010, onto Bandcamp under the name "Ffunny Ffrends". Within a day, the song had received significant coverage from independent music blogs such as Pitchfork.
Social Network
Ruban Nielson is active on social media platforms, where he engages with fans and shares glimpses of his musical journey. He can be found on Instagram and Twitter, where he posts updates about his projects, personal musings, and interactions with his creative community. His presence on social media allows fans to connect with him beyond music, providing a more intimate look at his life as an artist.
"His stories of Elam when I was a kid really stoked my desire to be there. He helped me get into Elam and negotiate what was originally a kind of ‘probational situation’ with my acceptance.
Being at Elam really fulfilled a childhood dream and people like Nuala Gregory, Peter Shand, Jim Speers, Leigh Martin, Judy Millar and Denys Watkins as well as many others all had a huge impact on the way I see the world and creativity.”
Education
Ruban Nielson's formal education details are limited, but he has expressed that much of his music knowledge comes from hands-on experiences and self-learning. Growing up in a musically inclined environment, he developed a passion for music at a young age, which has shaped his approach to songwriting and performance.
In summary, Ruban Nielson continues to be a luminary in the music world as of 2025. His evolving career, personal life, and artistic contributions keep fans and followers intrigued as they look forward to what the future holds for this talented musician.
Ruban Nielson (born 20 February 1980) is a New Zealand musician, singer and songwriter, and the frontman of the psychedelic rock band Unknown Mortal Orchestra. He has won two Aotearoa Music Awards and an APRA Silver Scroll, over the course of his band's five studio albums and one extended play.
