Rogue-boys & Rogue-ettes!

How you doing? Your faithful pal James here, with a little update on where we are and what we expect to happen over the next few weeks...

As some of you may have heard - our original guitarist Tim Henwood has returned to the Rogue's and we couldn't be happier to welcome him back! 

On the song front we are down to choosing between two songs for our 1st single...

The one we expect to be single #1 has been delayed from immediate consideration because of us having to wait for something quite exciting to occur first... (I know - damn confusing - but all WILL become clear in time.... And no, it's nothing to do with clearing samples) Once this event occurs, nothing should be holding us back from moving IMMEDIATELY... Realistically, though, I think we are looking at a radio release in October now.

Of course, in the meantime, there are a million things we have to do... Such as:

Looking closely at directors to helm our first new clip>

Putting together PAGES of references for band styling and artwork (our look will be *different*!)>

Locking down the final tracklisting for the album - including a new of track re-writes and major adjustments>

Getting as fit as we can (Hell, no-one's going outside during this Melbourne winter!)>

Plus the small matter of finding our new drummer.....


Anyway - more soon...

J


"Can you hear all the drums exploding......?"



ps - as a complete aside - looks like a mate of mine is about to be get very famous

Hi Everyone,

James here.

Man, I've been dying to share this news with you...

No doubt to many of you it must seem like an eternity since we had any concrete Rogue Traders' news. Where have we gone? Is it over? Will there be another record? Will there be another singer....

Behind the scenes, things have been extremely busy - but we have been taking our time to make the right decisions.

Since June 2008 we have been busy doing two things:

Writing new material

&

Looking for someone very special to join the Rogue Traders as lead singer.


The writing of the new material I have detailed quite closely on my blogs already - but the search for the new singer? Well, that has been kept, as I'm sure you can appreciate, very quiet.

I guess from the start our criteria was very simple - a unique and special talent who was completely different from Nat. Nat brought so many amazing qualities to the band during her time with us, but our new singer needed to be their own person entirely. Someone who could place their own stamp on the songs we have already recorded - and someone who would make the new songs their own.

We were constantly amazed (and humbled) by how many talented people came forward and offered to work with us. We were also constantly amazed at the legions who professed to be 'just like Nat' - as if that was exactly what we were looking for again...

Also, in truth, we kind of wanted to find someone ourselves - someone who didn't come looking for us... someone who didn't expect to be found.

We looked everywhere. Where you would expect, and where you certainly wouldn't. We visited bands in pubs, and heard singers from all over the world. It took a very long time.

This last year has also been an incredibly tough one for me personally - for reasons I may go into a later time - and there were certainly moments where I wondered if we would ever find the right person.

But naturally, once we found the right person - we knew instantly.


Well, let me now proudly - and publicly state for the record -

THE ROGUE TRADERS HAVE FOUND THEIR NEW LEAD SINGER



Not only that - but yesterday we got together in the studio for the first time and began putting down some vocals. The first big step in the very long road to come.

How does it feel? It feels brilliant! I expect that when many of you hear our new songs for the first time there is bound to be a period of slight adjustment - but I promise you, the songs are sounding amazing and it still feels undeniably like the Rogue Traders. Though our singer may have a different quality, you won't mistake our music for anyone else! If anything, it just feels fresher than anytime since we started this band.

To say that there is a new lease of life in this band is an understatement. We are ready to go further than ever!


Naturally, you now have a million more questions for me - and the burning one, of course, is WHO... Well, that will have to wait for the time being.

In the meantime, rest assured that it won't be long before you hear the Rogue's back on your radio and see them back on stage. Something I have been literally dreaming about.

To all the friends and fans alike who have supported me through this amazing, but shatteringly hard journey - Thank You. I know this sounds cliched and possibly insincere, but there were many times where I thought it simply wasn't worth it. You lot got me through.

And you know what - it was worth it

Just you wait and see....

Alright guys!

James here with a long-promised update on all things Rogue for you.

I think last time I posted about how the new record has been coming
together was way back last year (even though it feels just like a
couple of days).

I'm delighted to say we've made loads of progress and as I'm typing this I'm glancing across at my excel spreadsheet (which I use to track the developing of all the songs and the record) - and we now have exactly forty potential ideas for this record - more material than we've ever had for an album before.

Naturally, there's some shite in there, too - but I'm really delighted there is
such a pool of music to draw from as it allows us to put together a
suite of songs that work together, as well as individually.

One thing that we have been trying to concentrate on is to make sure the
lyrics are the best they can be, and that each song has a very definite
theme and idea.

Some of the stuff on the record we explore includes:

Musical Snobbery (Would You Raise Your Hands?)
The perils of celebrity (So Lonely)
Getting lost in the city til it takes you over (Skyline)
Sex as a cure (Ease Your Mind)
Can the US save the world when the world needs them most? (America)
Messed up clubbers wearing Ed Hardy (Trash People)
The promise of childhood (Tiny Dancer)
My personal infatuation with Blondie (Girl in Gold)


The vibe for this album has definitely emerged! It's fun, direct, energetic
and quite bloody mad. I've been really impressed by the new Prodigy
album, and the thing that really struck me from listening to that was
how it just totally delivers to the fans and stays completely true to
what their band is. That has been absolutely my approach - a tearing
pop record that barely gives you time to catch your breath. Basically
doing what we do best.

If there's enough interest I'm thinking
about doing a video blog where I might play you guys little tiny
snippets of some of the tracks. I've even thought about doing a cheeky
'change the channel part 2' kind of track previewing little ten second
grabs of the songs - and posting it up here.

Another thing with this record is when I ask people what their favourites from each album are, they inevitably say:

WKWYUT: Stay?
HCTD: In Love Again
BITD: What You're On

Basically - the songs with the most 'heart'. Well, we've really noticed that, and really are trying to give this record more moments of sweetness and
melancholy (but not weepy ballads, naturally). We're even thinking of
re-recording Stay because it's one of our favourite songs and we'd love
to re-introduce to a new generation of people.

I still think
there's about another five songs or so to write yet - just to make sure
the record is as good as it can possibly be. But for now, the writing
has stopped...

In a few weeks, I'll make a bit of an
announcement, but I have privately begun working on producing another
album for another band. I was hoping that I could make that
announcement now, but the timing still ain't quite right...

Either way - it's a terrifically exciting opportunity for me, and will give me
a two month working break from Rogue Traders before we re-convene in
early may to finish the last bit of writing and start the actual
recording.

I know you guys have loads more (obvious) questions - which, believe me, I am absolutely aware of

All in good time...

For now - GET EXCITED!!

Phase 3 is nearly ready to be unleashed!!!!!!

J

Hi Everyone!

I know I speak on behalf of everyone by extending a
massive CONGRATULATIONS to the lovely Nat on all her amazing success,
culminating tonight with the #1 debut of her album 1000 Stars.

I don't need to tell you how amazing that girl is - or how hard she has worked for everything she's got.

Over
the last few years, I got to spend an enormous amount of time with Nat
and got to know her like a sister. I know how much this means to her -
and how much she appreciates the support of all her fans.

I'm
proud of everything we achieved together in the Rogue Traders - it was
amazing time that I shall never forget. I'm also so proud to watch her
career continue to blossom in exciting, amazing new ways.

Well done Beryl - the star was shining on you

Bob x

Hey Guys!

If you guys are out in Melbourne or Sydney over the next couple of months - here's a look at some of my dj gigs coming up:


NYE - 31 Dec
Universal Nightclub - Bendigo
131 McRae Street
Bendigo VIC 3550


NYD - 1 Jan
Summadayze - Melbourne
Sidney Myer Music Bowl


SAT - 3rd Jan
Fusion @ Crown - Melbourne
Fusion Nightclub, Crown Casino, Southbank


SUN - 18th Jan
Filthy Pink @ Star Bar - Melbourne
Clarendon Street, Sth. Melbourne


FRI - 23rd Jan
Motel
(Park St?) South Melbourne


SUN - 25th Jan
Home - Sydney
Australia Day Eve Party
Darling Harbour


THU - 5th Feb
Good Vibrations Festival - Melbourne




A few more to slip in there soon - Hold tight Adelaide & QLD...

Cheers for now!

J

Hey Guys,

Much to all your confusion, I'm sure you've seen the last couple of blogs have been empty except for their titles.

All is good now (migrated from Safari to Firefox) - and these posts actually have words in them now, which is quite cool.

Of particular interest is the stuff about our search for a new singer...

Still not too late - go have a look at the post...

Cheers for now!

J

Hi everyone,

As I'm sure most of you know by know - the wonderful Natalie Bassingthwaighte has left the Rogue Traders to pursue her solo career.

Naturally, that means we need a new singer!

I just thought I'd make another general post for those people who might have come looking to our site or forums with a view to auditioning as a new singer for the band.

We have set up a thread especially on our forums at

http://forums.roguetraders.com.au/index.php?showtopic=4574

As you can probably imagine, we have been inundated with requests, so there will be no open auditions - however, the best thing any aspiring singer can do is add a link to their Myspace in this thread - and make sure that Myspace has a recording of you singing at least one song - and a bunch of pictures.

I promise to look at every single one - I do not have time to provide feedback to everyone but I will reply to any persons of interest myself.

I hope this makes things clearer for those who are desperate to be heard - there is a way!

Cheers for now!

J

Hey Guys!

Well after a good few weeks of writing in the studio, I thought I'd drop back in the forum and give you the first of many updates to come over the writing of this next record.

In truth, it was a little hard to get going. Frankly, it normally is. A million thoughts, doubts and ideas are bouncing around inside your brain, and at times it just feels like an insurmountable task. Normally at the end of a record I always scratch my head and ask how the hell that actually happened - and then normally make some kind of oath that I'll never do it again...

But of course, naturally, here we are again...!

It was also strange writing a record without a really clear idea of what our new singer would sound like - although to be honest it's not quite as hard as you might think. At the end of the day a good song is a good song - and a good singer will only make it better. But still, it has been a little odd.

I do have a good idea as to how I'd like them to sound, but I just know that fate will surprise me here no matter how I plan and I kinda like that.

Talking of singers, our search is progressing well! I'd love to tell you all the nitty gritty as to what's been happening here - and there will be a time and place for that eventually - but for now we've had to keep things really super-quiet. We have started narrowing the field, though - which is damn exciting. As I mentioned elsewhere, certain papers have reported (incorrectly) as to who our new singer is, and that's really made me want to keep a super-tight lid on things. But trust me, when the time is right, you guys will be the first to know - and it'll be my pleasure to introduce you to each other wink.gif

Anyway, back to the record.

Well where do we stand? At the moment there about 14 songs/bits of songs/ideas sitting on the harddrive. Some of them have mysterious names like Energiser, Bodies, Ant Music and Hurts Good. You get the idea. However, I'm starting to see a pattern emerge in the work, and sense something exciting emerging.

As I've mentioned before I think this next album will need to be the best that the Rogue's have done. No pressure then. And as always, getting it right is a balancing act of taking what people love about you - and moving it forward. I've never wanted to make the same record twice, and for some time there I was just making tunes that sounded exactly like the old ones - so I threw them out. That's the price you pay for love.

I reckon my saviour here has been dance music.

Basically, no matter what I achieve musically or professionally, I still see myself as that guy playing records to people in a club. Believe me, it's been a crucial part of me developing an understanding as to what people respond to musically. When a song gets played on the radio, the radio station can't see you switching over - but when you're DJing and you a play a song the crowd don't like - the reaction is immediate - and that is VALUABLE. You get a clear understanding as to what works and what doesn't.

Since the end of our last tour I've been DJing again loads around the country and it has been an absolute blast. Reconnecting with dance music has helped me reconnect with my roots in Rogue Traders, and given me that solid understanding that every producer needs.

It's also been fun travelling light (normally when we tour as a band there's about fifteen of us - for now, when I DJ, it's just me and a bag!).

Anyway, the point is - my vibe is there and I have a clear picture at last as to how to take the Rogue Traders forward with this next record. And that to me is priceless.

And that vibe is starting to emerge within the music Melinda and I are writing at the moment.

Now, the plan is to knock out two demos a week til the end of the year and have a pool of close to thirty to choose from. Then we'll take a close look at what we see and make a judgement call as to whether we have a quality album in there. If we're not 100% sure it'll be back to writing more demos until we get it just right.

As it is though, I reckon there's at least three tracks in there already I can hear on the next album - and I'd like to think every one of them would please (and surprise) Rogue's fans.

Time now to go to bed and start dreaming up more songs (the other night I had a moment where I recorded a melody in the dark after waking up with it in my head - something I did with a little song called Way To Go once...).

I'm back on the forums quite a bit now - so please feel free to drop in and say hi!

If I have the time I'll do my best to answer some questions in the Ask The Rogues section, too.

In the meantime - keep rocking and hold tight. It won't be as long as you think....

And if you're lucky - find your true love on the couch...

Love J

Hey Guys,

James here back, at last, with an update.

I know you guys have been desperate to hear more news - I know you all have loads of questions - but to be honest, I really needed to let the news of Nat's departure settle before I came back online.

So now, the dust has settled and we have all absorbed the fact that the Rogue's have begun a new chapter. That of course beggars the question, what about our current album, Better In The Dark?

Well as you know, I have always done my best to be as honest and straightforward as I can with you guys - and I plan to continue doing that - even when it's bad news. So let's get that out the way first:

Sadly, there will not be a fourth single off Better In The Dark. Believe me, this was not a decision that I had anything to do with. I am deeply disappointed, but this is the situation we find ourselves in. Just so you know, it was always going to be On Your Way To The Disco - not that that makes things any easier. Secretly, I always felt that OYWTTD could have ended up being the biggest track off the album - I just wish we had put the bugger out earlier.

As many of you know, there is an active competition to appear in the next Rogue's video clip. Obviously this will not be going ahead - However, there WILL still be a winner. And whoever that is will now get spoiled by me personally in a special Rogue Traders experience. I want to say sorry to everyone that was looking forward to the chance to appear in one of our clips - you may just have to wait a little longer...

I know lots of you guys would have loved to have seen a Rogue's DVD too. It's something I'd love to see happen at some point. Yes, we do actually have quite extensive filmed footage of many of our shows - but the problem is - very little of it is broadcast quality, and certainly not enough for a DVD. The best stuff we got down was the Live At The Chapel show, which we presented with the BITD album. There was talk of us filming one of our shows during the BITD tour - but in the end the budget just wasn't there for it. It remains a strong ambition of mine to do a proper Rogue's DVD in the future - personally I'd love to include an amazing live show - heaps of outtakes - and every single music video we've done. Hold tight guys - I want this to happen too.

So what happens now?

Well, the plans for Phase 3 are underway!

Firstly, in a couple of months we will retire to our little bolt-hole of a studio and start writing songs. Unlike BITD, which was largely written over the course of about three months - I am allowing myself much more time this record. You never know how long it will take to come up with the goods, but this time the record will be ready when it's ready.

Of course, we will have to find a new singer, too! But to be honest, I'm not even looking yet. That time will come but not just yet. At the moment, all the pieces are slowly falling into place, and it's imperative that the process happens naturally and isn't forced.

I know most people will not expect the Rogue's to be successful again - and to be honest I actually like being the underdog. Yes, the odds may be stacked against us - but if there's one thing I have learnt, it begins and ends with the songs. As I've become fond of saying recently, the next album will be Outstanding, because it will HAVE to be Outstanding.

Anyway, all things being equal - I fully expect us to have a new album out sometime in 2009.

As is always the case, I have no idea yet what it will sound like (that's part of the surprise - even for me!) - but I do feel the record will probably be dancier and less rock. I've been DJing around the country loads recently, and have a bunch of remixes on my plate which are getting me very excited. The dancefloor is calling. But who knows?

I'll also be back on the forum a little more now - and as and when there are developments, I'll be right here to tell you about them straight away. Exciting times are coming - and I love a challenge and the opportunity to prove people wrong!

With a fair wind, Phase 3 of the Rogue's could be our largest yet! At last, we may be given the opportunity to take our music right across the world. I'd love to do Glastonbury in the UK - Letterman in the US - a proper World Tour...

To finish up - my biggest ambition has always been to have a number one record for the Rogue Traders.

We haven't yet done it.

Let's bring it on.

J

Hi Everyone,

James here!

Firstly, we all just wanted to extend an enormous thank you to everyone for coming out in droves around the country and supporting our Better In The Dark tour. It really was very humbling for us to arrive in places we've never played before, then peak out from behind the curtain and see full-houses waiting for us. It was a supreme effort on the part of our fans – and definitely something we will always remember.

We have so many great memories from this tour – like the time all the lights *literally* went out during a performance of 'Better In The Dark' in Rockhampton! I think some people might have actually thought it was part of the show…

These last twelve months have been incredibly jam-packed – a new album going platinum, three singles, constant travel and then capping it all off with a national tour. And with that, our thoughts now turn to the future.

As I'm sure every single one of you already knows, this tour was always expected to be our last tour for some time, as we knew Nat was going to work on solo and other commitments, which could take some years to complete.

Because of this, sadly, after a great deal of consideration we've come to the conclusion that as Nat's career choices are taking her in new and exciting directions, she won't be able to be a part of the Rogue Traders.

We know this news will be deeply disappointing to many of you. I'm sure you can appreciate it was an extremely difficult conclusion to reach. It's hard to express in a few sentences the feelings that come with such a decision.

Above all, Nat and I both want you to know that we part company as best friends, with a deep love and respect for each other and what we have achieved over the last three and a half years.

But this is far from the end for the Rogue's.

Rogue Traders has always been a project in transition: Beginning as a DJ duo - transforming into an international pop act. With Phase 2 coming to a close, Phase 3 of Rogue Traders is about to begin, and most literally won't see it coming…

But no matter what happens in the future, nothing can diminish the bond we have forged bringing our music to the world. We stand extremely proud. Above all, we'd like to thank you for accepting us and our music – it's been our unique honour.

Love James