With the strident cry of “2-3-4” that heralds new single ‘Love Is A War’, Rogue Traders are back - back with new single, a new album and, of course, a brand new singer.
As the opening riff of ‘Love Is A War’ comes crashing in, its heady mix of pulsing beats, driving guitars and catchy melodies dragging the song in hyperactive fashion towards its exultant chorus, it’s obvious that the band has not suffered for this change in personnel. Instead, Rogue Traders have continued their never-ending evolution, producing a new collection of music that marks a move back to the group’s club roots, yet loses none of the pop smarts that have seen the band sell over 1 million records worldwide.
The third chapter in the band’s rich history has begun - a history that has seen Rogue Traders evolve from ARIA Award-winning DJs/producers to chart-topping pop stars and beyond - and the future looks bright. With the as-yet-untitled 4th album in the can, the band’s lynchpin James Ash has a spring in his step and an enthusiasm in his voice that belies the excitement and determination of a man with musical opportunity lying wide open before him. “I can’t quite believe it’s all happening again - it’s really exciting! The future is open, and there’s a huge energy and hunger for it!”
The new singer in question is Ms. Mindi Jackson, a tall, lithe bundle of energy, who brings her own vocal and visual talents to the band’s make-up, and sounds as effortless tearing through the new numbers, many of which she co-wrote with Ash, as she does wrapping her vocal interpretation around Rogues classics such as ‘Voodoo Child’ and ‘Don’t You Wanna Feel’.
When former singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte departed to pursue her own solo journey, James Ash launched straight back into the familiar world of DJing in clubs as he started to write new Rogues material and consider the band’s next step.
“It was very edifying to return to the world of dance music, and this defined what the next [Rogue Traders] record would be like... Better In The Dark was more electo-rock; the essence of this record is more dance-based. At its heart, it’s still pop music, [but] with a dance music edge”.
Luckily, MySpace soon provided him with a talented new vocalist. “Nothing really stopped when Nat left,” says James. “I continued to write music, and looked around for a new singer, and didn’t settle until I found the right one. Mindi was that right singer.” For her part, Mindi couldn’t believe her luck, and describes hearing from James as a “massive shock”.
The new songs flowed, emerging from a songwriting process that James describes as being “less calculated and less self-conscious with a looser feel than previous work.” An early collaboration between James and Mindi - ‘Love Is A War’ - soon presented itself as the first single. Taking as its subject matter the battle of the sexes that James saw played out on club dance floors every night, ‘Love Is A War’ is a powerful statement of musical intent. It flies along with the aforementioned driving beats and brain-lock melodies, surging through verses and choruses, before grinding to a halt and sliding into a rap that then marches the song back up to a climactic ending. The sound is unmistakably that of the Rogues, but the track nevertheless explores new territory and points the way to an album that has moved on from former glories. ‘Can you hear all the drums exploding?’ asks the opening line, a reference perhaps to the band’s progression from a certain previous album and the song from which that album’s title was taken...
Rogue Traders have released three previous albums - We Know What You’re Up To, Here Come The Drums, and Better In The Dark - yielding numerous hit singles, an ARIA Award, multiple APRA Awards and an MTV Award.
‘Love Is A War’ will be released digitally on Christmas Day, in a package that also contains b-sides and remixes. The 4th Rogue Traders album will follow in March 2010.
Five facts about Mindi Jackson:
• Her grandfather was a lead tenor with the Australian Opera
• She started singing when she was 5
• Her favourite albums include Fleetwood Mac - Rumours, Prince - Purple Rain, and Divinyls - Desperate
• She was once struck by appendicitis onstage in the middle of a gig
• She has an obsession with yellow shoes
How are you? I am leaving Brisbane today and flying to Melbourne so that I may participate in the Dream Inc Workshops. I look forward to seeing you there and learning more about singing, song-writing and music performance.
this is for james ash...... its daniel (symphonix) from monkey bar.... top dj man, it was awesome playing with u dude, hopefully i bump into u again behind the decks =P take care man and all the best =)
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