James Ash Goes Rouge With Malibu Shadows
James Ash, the man behind Aussie band Rogue Traders continues his post Rouge releases with the beautiful ‘Malibu Shadows’, a song created with a desire for lockdowns to be overdesire for lockdowns to be over and the wish for that freedom everyone was longing for, we spoke to James about the new song, the challenges of having his boss John Course do a remix and how terrible his first show went.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, how would you describe your sound?
Over the years I’ve made electronic in virtually every style - but my heart and soul is in House Music - and that is what I want to represent. The sound, the community, the inclusivity, the love - the vibe!
Tell us about your new song ‘Malibu Shadows’?
Like lots of producers, Malibu Shadows was written in lockdown about yearning for that brighter day to come - a real evergreen theme in House Music. It also talks about the darker side of fame, and how even somewhere as exotic and celebrated as Malibu has it’s shadows.
What does the song mean to you?
To me, it’s a love-letter to the power of house music. It’s about knowing the brighter day is always coming. House music has always been about expressing that, and I’m just paying it forward to another generation.
“The song also talks about the darker side of fame, and how even somewhere as exotic and celebrated as Malibu has it’s shadows.”
The video for the song is beautiful, full of iconic vistas as well as an endlessly beautiful roll of palm trees. Who came up with the concept for the video? Any memorable moments during the making of it?
It all came together super naturally, and compared to some projects I’ve worked on, the whole thing flowed really easily from concept to delivery.
Malibu Shores is split into a two-part release for the remixes. Is there a different vibe between the two?
Not really, it’s more that we had such a strong remix package that we knew we had to give each mix it’s time to shine and room to breathe. Otherwise people might never get down to that last mix and hear the mix that’s perfect for them to play out.
Malibu Shadows Part 1 contains remixes by Alaia & Gallo and Mind Electric, Part 2 showcases Marcus Knight, Original and John Course, how do you feel about people remixing your songs? Do you have a favourite?
I used to be incredibly protective of my work, but I have done a total 180 on that. I love allowing other artists to re-interpret and make something that represents them. I have been a big fan of Alaia & Gallo for some time - so that’s probably my fave remix, but it’s a hard choice.
Do you ever have a moment when you’re listening to the remixes and think, wish I’d thought of that?
Hahah! Yes, all the time. Often as producers we keep stuff that the track might not actually need - it can be kind of indulgent. That’s one of the great things about remixing other work, you just don’t have the same emotional attachment - so it’s often easier to just be objective and make the right choices.
What’s the feeling when your label boss, John Course does a remix of your song? Can you be honest with your feedback? Is there pressure to be enthusiastic?
That’s a great question! The answer is, absolutely I can be honest. John is a legend in this country for good reason. He’s not just one of the leading lights of our scene for nearly 30 years - he’s also an incredibly intuitive producer. He took his mix into a space I never would have considered - deep DEEP house. There was truly little for me to comment on - but if I had, he would have been all over it.
What's your Favourite thing about going solo and not being part of an iconic Aussie band?
Well it’s just enormously fulfilling to be able to craft your vision and see it through to fruition. To represent my soul completely in something. I can express my love of House and DJing in a way that doesn’t have to inform anything else I’ve done in my career.
What's the worst part about going solo and not being part of an iconic Aussie band?
Well I am super lucky because there are no down-sides. I mean, I get to be part of my band - and also get to do my own records. I get to do both. That said, there are so many amazing fulfilling experiences I’ve shared in my band that have been so much richer for being shared with those I love.
Do you prefer the production side of music or the artist/DJ side?
They are both two sides of the same coin. When I’m producing, I’m thinking about the dance floor and how what I am working on might work. When I’m DJing I’m thinking about how I need to tweak my records to better fit the vibe of today’s floors...
“One of the great things about learning to DJ in clubs is, when you fuck up - you rarely repeat the mistake.”
Where was your first solo gig? Was it a success or flop?
First gig was a total flop! I got pulled from the decks after three records, and the owner told me straight up I was fucking terrible. Luckily, I got to go back during the week and practise my arse off. Second gig, I did two hours... One of the great things about learning to DJ in clubs is, when you fuck up - you rarely repeat the mistake.
Living or Dead, who would your ultimate Collab Partner be?
Two people:
Phil Oakey - of The Human League
Dominique Jackson - Ms Elektra Abundance from Pose
What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
Jeez that’s a tough one - truly impossible to answer. If I had to pick one it’d be playing Shepherd’s Bush Empire back in London and seeing my entire family in the crowd at last. Was surreal! Nothing like bringing it back to your birth country for it to become real.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Absolutely 100% my wife, Melinda. She and I co-wrote many hit records over the years, but I am the one that people saw. Going right back to the beginning for me, she was the one who first drove me down to Vicious Vinyl and made me play my record to Andy Van back in ’93.... Truly, I am nothing without her.
What's next for you? What can we expect with 2022 approaching?
Records!! And lots of them!! I am super excited to say there are two more singles lined up after Malibu Shadows, plus some remixes. I also have a brand new project launching early 2022 that I am super excited about! I always like to think my best records are always still to come, but truly I haven’t been this excited about music in a long long time.
Interview by Michelle Symes
November 2021