Dustin Ruth has been writing songs since he was fourteen. Born in California and raised in Washington, Dustin is a true West Coast native, growing up with the fresh, progressive sounds from bands who made their names in nearby NW cities Portland, OR and Seattle, WA (Elliot Smith, The Dandy Warhols, The Shins, The Decemberists, Death Cab). Dustin honed his skills playing in different bands for several years before signing his first major record deal with Tooth and Nail Records.