They formed in 2004 when Californian Ryan McPhun moved to Auckland and started playing in several bands such as the Brunettes, the Tokey Tones, and the Reduction Agents.

The Ruby Suns are signed to Lil' Chief Records in New Zealand and Memphis Industries in Britain.

In early 2007, the band embarked on their first European tour in support of their self-titled debut album.

[1] In August 2008, The Ruby Suns contributed their track "There Are Birds" to an indie compilation album Indiecater Vol.

McPhun had moved to Oslo, Norway by the time he recorded the band's fifth album, Sprite Fountain, which was released on 9 June 2017.