ROGUE TRADERS
What happens when you team a rock 'n' roll drummer with a former 'Neighbours' star and two charming British expats? You get epic, electro-pop band Rogue Traders. The four-piece, hailing from Melbourne, are about to conquer Australia by bringing their latest release, 'Better in the Dark', to the masses with a regional tour.
By Brooke McMaster
James Ash, Cameron McGlinchey, Danny Spencer and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, fresh from her very successful TV venture hosting the hit series 'So You Think You Can Dance', will hit the road playing small and large regional centres, as well as capital cities, in their final endeavour promoting their third and latest album, 'Better in the Dark'. The Rogue Traders are aiming to build upon the global success of the band's second release 'Here Come the Drums'; released in 2005. The album sold 300,000 copies in Australia alone, and spent over 80 weeks in the ARIA top 100. It scored four ARIA Award nominations and spawned five top 10 airplay hits. 'Voodoo Child' debuted at #3 on the UK charts, where it stayed for five weeks.
Having arrived from England, the band's keyboardist and main driving force, James Ash, has been in Australia for almost 15 years. But his accent remains strong as we start to talk about the tour, the tunes and how the band fits rehearsal time in with most members of the band dealing with side projects. "When I first met Nat she was doing 'Neighbours' and 'Grease the Musical', and then she was recording our album. So I was used to her doing lots of different things. I also DJ around the country as well, and do production for other people, [so] we've become very skilful at trying to find the best times to get everyone together and work with each other," Ash says.
Although the band is traditionally known as a dance act, it is evident over the past two albums that a distinct shift of styles has occurred. "We were born out of dance music...and we're pop now," says Ash. Bassingthwaighte's introduction signalled a new era with the addition of new colours, a new sound and a camaraderie that is second to none. "When you are in a band, it's almost like being in a gang. I guess you can liken it to parachuting in formation. Parachuting itself is potentially a pretty terrifying exercise, but as long as you have done your safety checks and jump out of that plane with your mates, you haven't really got anything to worry about, do you?" he laughs. Make sure you catch the Rogue Traders this time around because they won't be touring for another two years due to Natalie's looming solo career. But, James assures me this will not be the end of the band, and they are currently working on album number four as we speak.
Twin Towns, Tweed Heads on May 25, Nambour Civic Centre on May 27, The Tivoli, Brisbane on May 28, Rumours, Toowoomba on May 29, Sugarland Tavern, Bundaberg on May 30, Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton on May 31, Magnums, Airlie Beach on June 1, Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns on June 5, Bombay Rock, Townsville on June 6 and Andergrove Tavern, Mackay on June 7 & 8.
'Better in the Dark' is out now through Sony/BMG. |
