My name is James Roden. I am the lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter for The City Lights. There seem to be a million bands with a similar name at the moment but we are The City Lights – a three piece rock band from Sydney. We released our debut album “Escape From Tomorrow Today” as a four piece in May 2004 on Ivy League Records in Australia (Triple J, 4ZZZ, 3PBS album of the week) and on Bittersweet Records in Spain and followed it up in August 2007 with “El Sol” as a six piece on the same labels. We have had members of Rocket Science, Peabody, Sidewinder, Youth Group & The Drums all been essential members of the band.
We have finally finished a brand new album called “I Just Got To Believe” which is to be released very soon on 14th September 2012. For this album we recorded with producer Tim Kevin as a power trio featuring me – James Roden – (guitar, vocals), Harry Roden (bass) and Graeme Trewin (drums) laying down 10 punchy, powerful, rock songs that says what it needs to say in 25 minutes.
Your new record is being released in September, what can listeners expect?
Good guitar, bass and drum sounds, good lyrics, no extended hippy solos and loads of fun. It’s direct. It’s easy to understand but it’s hard to do. No overthinking.
What aspects led you to decide it’s your best work to date?
Our new album is called ‘I Just Got To Believe’. It’s our best yet cause it rocks the whole ten tracks. All killer / no filler. I think we have decided this because we are still happy to listen to it and not pick holes in it ourselves. We edited the songs and re-worked lyrics until we were happy before recording them in one or two takes. We re-mixed it until it sounded right. But underlying it all were really good first or second takes of the songs, so that the songs have lots of energy left in them.
The band began an album in 2010, but then dismissed it. Why was that?
We thought we could work things out in the studio ie finish parts or vocal takes. But it didn’t work and so we were left with 9 unfinished ideas. Just one song survived in full from that session – track 3 “Without People You’re Nothing”. All the other songs were almost finished so it’s not like we scrapped a whole lot of songs. We just scrapped early versions of them. It wasn’t anyone’s fault – we just weren’t ready.
What is your music the best soundtrack for?
A really excellent film about a rockin’ band that makes soundtracks for films about rock bands who record for films. Or if not, a fun car trip to the beach.
You released your first EP in 2004 – what have been some major highlights since forming?
Touring Spain twice has been a real joy. Putting out three albums, an EP and a single has been a highlight. Playing and meeting some true greats – Rocket Science, Supergrass, The Smithereens, You Am I, The Mess Hall, Magic Dirt, The Vines, Jet, Peabody, The Cops, Youth Group, 78 Saab, Even….I could go on. Getting to continuously meet new people that you would not otherwise meet like The Slow Push tour coming up. It’s not always easy playing in bands but it’s rarely dull.
Are there any ‘must-dos’ The City Lights are hoping to add to their list?
I really want to go back to Spain and this time tour other European countries like France, Italy, Germany etc. That would be a dream. Another impossible dream would be to work with Harry Vanda & George Young as I love The Easybeats and their production work for ACDC. Why? Because both bands are insanely great and sound amazing. I want the secret.
Who/What are the band’s main influences?
My friends and I were all obsessed with music – anything with power like 60s beat, garage & soul, 70s mod, punk and ska, 50s rock and roll, 80s hardcore & its 60s revival. We would jump genres looking for thrills and we were all lucky to have big brothers and good friends who filtered the good stuff for us.
If you could play any venue/festival where would it be?
Either Meredith or Golden Plains. I had a ball seeing Wild Flag amongst loads of others at Golden Plains this year and am heading to Meredith to see Turbonegro, The Sunnyboys, Primal Scream and Spirtualized in December. (If I get tickets). Perfect physical size. One stage so experiences are shared. Relatively few and nice people. Great location. Excellent atmosphere. Incredible bands. Top fun.
How do you like your music? On digital, CD, or vinyl (maybe even cassette)?
Vinyl is the best. It sounds better. CDs are a good compromise as they are good for taking in the car etc. Not a huge fan of digital and don’t understand why cassettes are having a revival.
What’s in store for the rest of 2012? What other gigs can we catch you at next?
We are launching our new (and third) album in Brisbane on Saturday 22nd September at Beetle Bar with The Slow Push followed by Melbourne on 10th November at The Old Bar with The Bowers. The gigs are going to be loads of fun. Then we have an exciting tour planned early next year.
You can follow our news here: www.facebook.com/thecitylightsaustralia
