Indie rock trio Roulettes have faced a series of tough life events since early 2020. The loss of loved ones, the deconstruction of the band, and the logistics of recording from three different geographical locations, have all posed challenges, but it is the will, emotion, and healing power of music itself which has compelled this band to emerge with a stunning new 5-song collection.
Rocket to You is dedicated to Andrew Brough, who died in February 2020. Andrew (Straitjacket Fits, and frontman for Bike), was Justin Mclean’s stepbrother, and a musical mentor for bassist Ben Grant and Justin in their first band Funhouse in Dunedin in the 1990s, producing recordings and giving invaluable advice that has stayed with them to this day.
The title track 'Rocket to You’ and ‘Ordinary Glories’ specifically grew out of the grieving of and drifting apart from loved ones. During the writing of these songs Justin’s mother, Vivienne, a well-known performer, and former piano teacher in Dunedin became increasingly unwell, and this loss is also reflected here.
“When you lose someone you love you look back and realise that all relationships are finite.” Says Justin. ”What seemed mundane and ordinary was in fact all too brief. Ordinary glories are the moments you spent together, never to be reclaimed, that are now memories to return to .“
A more upbeat offering, ‘Hullabaloo’ sports a killer guitar riff and sizzles with cracking energy; a song born out of annoyance, and irritation with those who talk, dictate, and explain (without saying actually anything) and never listen.
The 5 songs on Rocket to You were recorded in New Zealand where Justin resides, Vietnam, where Ben now calls home, and Australia. Justin and Ben called upon Ben’s brother Damon to record the highly accomplished drummer Davey Porter at Red Iris Studios in Melbourne just before lockdown in 2020. Damon added sax, percussion and Fender Rhodes from Melbourne also. Final mixes were completed during lockdown in April 2020.
Says Justin “I was surprised at how easy it was to work long-distance. Ben and I have a long-standing musical conversation and trust each other to head into interesting places without needing to communicate verbally.”
“This has been one of the fastest to complete releases we have ever done. Sadly, events of early 2020 partly motivated us to get it finished and released promptly.”
Rocket to you is now available from Bandcamp.
Listen to and watch the new video for new single 'Ordinary Glories':