In the entertainment industry warning signs are everywhere and often the clichés prove true. For example, many a promising career has been cut short when the showbiz adage ‘never work with children or animals’ has been ignored. Similarly, releasing the dreaded ‘second album’ and dance music albums in general are concepts that strike fear into the heart of even the most seasoned record company executives. Not surprising, as dance music artists whose albums have outsold their 12” can be counted on one hand. So on the eve of dance music trio Infusion’s second album, ‘Six Feet Above Yesterday’, are the odds stacked against its success? Those who know anything of Infusion would disagree, these comparatively minor issues paling in comparison to the wave of momentum Infusion are currently riding. While having signed to a major label in BMG will ensure Infusion’s album receives the publicity it deserves, BMG’s contribution will only add to an already solid foundation built on their scintillating live shows and masterful production skills.

While Jamie Steven’s is still coming to terms with the added workload that accompanies releasing an album on a major label, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I didn’t think that I’d be doing fifty interviews a week while on tour, so that whole thing is kind of new to me,” he admits from his hotel in Chicago less than a day after leaving Liverpool. “But it’s not a bad thing. It’s just the process that a major label goes through to release an album. It’s part of letting people know that it’s out there. We put so much work into our first album, but the label didn’t know how to release it which is fair enough as they didn’t have the experience. We didn’t know about the whole press strategy. So I’m prepared to do it as we’ve put a lot of work into our album and we want people to know that it’s there and to give it a listen.”

While perhaps not as commercially successful as it deserved to be, Infusion’s debut album ‘Phrases & Numbers’ was well received within the industry, receiving both ARIA and DMA nominations as well as producing two highly successful singles in Spike and Legacy. Over two years later, a period equivalent to a lifetime in the turbulent music industry, Infusion have gone from being Australia’s best kept secret to one of the worlds premier live acts. Few would disagree that it is their combination of artistic brilliance and willingness to put in the hard yards that has led to this enviable position. In a reasonably short period they have accumulated numerous international tours, 12” and remixes as well as the unique opportunity to be the first group to record a set of their own productions for Radio One’s Essential Mix.

So the second album should have been easy? Not when such high standards are set by the act themselves. “We wanted to write songs that have meaning and while at times being suggestive, also allow room for interpretation,” explains Stevens. “We’ve never really done empty songs but nothing particularly in a narrative or on a particular subject. So we thought that this time round it would be nice to write some actual songs.”

The most obvious of these being the album’s latest single, Better World. The chorus ‘You push us down on the way to make a better world’ an obvious reference to the lack of concern certain powerful countries show when ignoring the rights of others in pursuit of their own objectives. “Sure it can be viewed in direct relation to Iraq and the way the US stepped over an entire country,” agrees Stevens. “However, that’s only one interpretation. The way some people step over others on a smaller level is just as relevant. We like our lyrics to be open for interpretation, like our music.”

Adamant that ‘Six Feet Above Yesterday’ would be more than just a series of dancefloor hits, the urge to create something that would stand the test of time was a key element in the creative process. “While you get inspired by music that’s around you at the time, you have to be careful not to subconsciously jump on a bandwagon,” says Stevens. “It’s fine for a 12”, but we wanted the album to be something that you could listen to in twenty years. That’s the beauty of 12”. They’re designed for record boxes and a particular time and occasionally you get a timeless track. But really it’s just to sound good in clubs for a certain period of time and rarely to make a lasting impact. So we concentrated more on the music and songs and sounds, making a good solid album. We tried to expand the instruments we used to make it sound like us.”

This last point that Stevens touches on turns the conversation to a topic best summarized by track five on their album titled Love & Imitation. Influences are inevitable, even if only on a subconscious level and Love & Imitation will instantly conjure comparisons to New Order for many who hear it. “It wasn’t a conscience thing but yes, it does have a very New Order kind of feel,” admits Stevens. “It wasn’t until we were getting close to finishing that we thought ‘actually this is very New Order sounding’. While we were doing it we didn’t think about it at all as we never talk about what we want something to be like. It’s more a realization at the end. And then sometimes we get worried that it might be a bit overt.”

“I know producers who try and emulate other artists, and I can’t understand how you can get enjoyment out of being so calculating about it. The influences on the album come from music we love listening to on a day to day basis, so obviously it’s going to come through. Frank’s been listening to Japan’s albums every day for example. It’s always interesting to hear what other people hear in our music and the connections they make in the same way as two people looking at a painting can get something totally different out of it.”

Infusion’s new album ‘Six Feet Above Yesterday’ is out now through BMG. Infusion play Room680 with Evil 9 (UK) on Saturday 9th of October