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Rogue Traders - A UK duo carving up Australia
The Rogue Traders are English born, Australian influenced and a globally appealing duo. James Ash and Steve Davies have made a huge impact in Australia and overseas with hits like the INXS rework “One Of My Kind”.
Busy in the Studio, and looking forward to their New Years Eve gig at Sydney’s Mobile Home, the guys took some time out to chat to RA about their music, why they would rather work in Melbourne than Jamaica and even how they can eat 15 Muffins without putting on a single pound.
Firstly congratulations on your recent awards - Does this confirm that your move to Australia was an ingenious move?
RT: Thank you. But I think moving to Australia is always an ingenious move.
Do you think you could have achieved such success had you stayed in the UK?
Steve: Australia has been very good to both of us. We have been privileged to receive some great opportunities along the way. It's hard to say whether we would have achieved as much in the UK because the opportunities were not there to grasp, but if there were there no doubt we could have done something.
James: It's all about competition in the UK... Even your Nan's a DJ. I'd like to think we still would have got somewhere, but it just may have taken much longer than it did here (which was still close to ten years!).
Who's idea was it to move and why did you move?
Steve: For me the only way for me to collaborate with Jay was for me to keep coming over.
James:I originally came to Australia in 1982 for a year, then again in 1988 – then finally in '92 to complete my uni education - except I didn't get in! For two years running! In the end I'm glad I didn't cause it gave me time to concentrate on music.
As a duo, who obviously click so well in the studio, do you have any aspirations of collaborating with anyone else in the future? If so who?
Steve: Our first album was a collection of collaborations, but this time we want to concentrate on honing a cohesive record that sounds like it comes from one place - not from all over the place! In the future, there's loads of people I'd love to work with, but for now it's just us on this album.
James: In the studio we work with Isaac Moran who is our Guitarist. He is part of the band now and adds a lot of musicality to the project.
Authors often wake up at the crack of dawn to achieve their best creative writing thoughts, what time of day do you two do most of your work?
Steve: Creativity tends to ebb and flow throughout the day...for the most part its a empirical process of breaking things down. This enables you to work anytime.
James: I tend to work in short bursts. I can sit there in the studio all day doing FA and then just before pissing off home I try a quick idea and suddenly it's 2am! You can't force it - it comes when it's ready!
What are your favourite snacks that keep away the hunger bug during studio sessions?
Steve: We go out for a roll at our local deli..James has the same fucking boring roll and packet of crisp every day which suffices him till dinner. For me I have a sweet tooth I like cakes and biscuits. Nonny, Jay's mother-in-law bakes these low fat muffins which means I could eat 15 of them with out putting on weight..
James: I've never been asked that question before. Ahem, what Steve said!
If both of you are thirsty - who runs down to the shops to get the drinks? - Once there which beverages are chosen to assist in the late night creative process?
Steve: What an interesting line of questioning. This isn't building up to asking me whether my parents ever forced me to sleep in the shed, is it? ...well they didn't.
We tend to go together but sometimes I venture out. We like our energy
drinks like V or Red bull (apparently it gives you wings).
James: Unfortunately I can testify that after years of drinking red-bull Steve has never developed wings.
Do you each operate different equipment in the studio, or do you tend to mix and match?
Steve: For the most part Jay is in the driving seat. Apart from times when I am recording his vocal or if I am not able to express my thoughts clearly enough(which is most times), I take over. For the most part I listen, writing down things that I want changed and added.
James: It's like a rally-team. I'm Colin McRae, and Steve's the geezer with the map who stops us driving off a cliff, or something.
How important do you think vocals are when producing a record, and what affect can they have on a piece of music?
RT: First and foremost, we believe in songs. Vocals give shape and context to the music. When you listen to melody you are listening to a hidden story, lyrics enable us to find out what that story is saying. For us its only half the song without some kind of vocal.
You have received an abundance of airplay on commercial radio, is there a record you have produced, which hasn't seen the light if day on radio, that you believe to be an amazing piece of work?
Steve: We have certainly had records in the past that we expected to connect with everyone better than they did. It is pretty soul-destroying when you pour your energies into something and then it's ignored. For every tune like 'One of my Kind" there are five or six others you've never heard of.
James: There are about 3 of them. But that’s all in the past.
When performing as a duo DJ partnership, do you discuss set direction before the first record is played, or is it very much "as the night flows"? - Will you consult each other before playing a certain record on the night?
Before I go behind the decks I like to have a dance in the crowd. It sounds wanky but I pick up on the vibe of the crowd and keep this in mind before I go on. The first track depends also on the set of the previous DJ. Its at this time that we decide 1. Do we kick off with something that says "yes were fucking here" 2. Or flow from previous DJ. Its all about how the crowd is feeling. We trust what each over plays but sometimes if we cant read a crowd we confer.
Does the idea of a studio on your private beach in Jamaica appeal to you, or is the city lifestyle an inspiration to both yourselves and your music?
Steve: A tropical island would be too distracting for me. Would get no work done. You do need to have some contact with the City to write the stuff we do.
James: Absolutely. As a writer you need subject matter and inspiration from the people around you. Having said that, I would be willing to give the beach a try.
This New Year Eve you are performing at one of the worlds great New Years Eve parties, what can the crowd expect?
Steve: To be Punished!!!!!
James: Yes, they have been asking for it, after all.
Any new year resolutions in the pipeline?
Steve: Develop more bad habits.
James: Give up cakes and biscuits..I don't want to be the Barry White of dance music.
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Published / Monday, 08 December 2003
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