On His Own
No longer part of a band, Gavin Rossdale tells HIZREEN KAMAL what it’s like being a solo act.
MORE popularly known as pop singer Gwen Stefani’s other half, songwriter Gavin Rossdale is ready to get out there and play music again with the release of his all-new solo rock album Wanderlust.
This album marks his most recent work since the dissolution of both of his former bands - the multi-platinum selling alternative rock act of the 1990s, Bush, which he fronted, and the less successful, Institute.
From the mid-90s, Rossdale was seeing much of the world from the stage, arenas and even stadiums, as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for Bush.
Right from its 1994 debut, Sixteen Stone, Bush connected powerfully with post-Grunge America through a series of infectious hit songs, like Everything’s Zen, Little Things, Comedown, Glycerine, Machinehead, Swallowed and The Chemicals Between Us.
Having lived most of his life in the spotlight with others (releasing five albums with Bush, and one with Institute), this is the first time the 42-year-old is standing on his own.
“It’s a very strange thing. I have always been a band person. I did offer this record to Bush initially, but somehow it didn’t work out. Since I have always enjoyed making music, I went on to release Wanderlust as a solo album instead.
“The album is significant for me. It’s a big step making it out there on my own, but I am ready to take it,” he said in a recent phone interview from London.
With 13 tracks to the album, almost every song is about the tenderness of human relationships.
Besides referring to his roots with Bush, Wanderlust is also a reflection of his life. With a rock-strong marriage and his second child on the way, Rossdale said the tracks touch on love, war and daily struggles.
While the music in the album is more atmospheric and cinematic compared to the previous albums with Bush, Wanderlust is considered by many, as the most personal set of songs Rossdale has delivered to date.
For the album, he worked with legendary producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Aerosmith) in his home studio in Maui.
“When I met Bob, I knew he was the guy. He is someone with perspective.”
Wanderlust combines a mix of genres and styles - from the anthemic, guitar-driven rock of the first single, Love Remains The Same and Can’t Stop The World to the heavier sounds of Another Night In The Hills and Frontline.
Rossdale also collaborated with some high profile names in the music business. They include drummer Josh Freese (The Vandals, A Perfect Circle), guitarist Chris Traynor (Helmet, Bush), and keyboardist Jamie Muhoberac (session keyboardist credited with working with bands from Fleetwood Mac to Avenged Sevenfold).
Rossdale, who penned the songs in Wanderlust, is planning a series of tours later this year.
“But for now, I am performing at some shows across the US and Europe, and I have been getting a positive reaction for this album,” said Rossdale who enjoys playing dad to his two-year-old son, Kingston.
On the possibility of stopping over in Malaysia, Rossdale hopes that if it happens he could visit his stepmother who lives in Penang.
“I hope we can swing by Kuala Lumpur as I really want to perform in a concert here so that she will be able to come. When I was in Malaysia last year with Gwen who was on The Great Escape Tour, we stayed in Kuala Lumpur for about five days. We hung out with my stepmother’s family members and relatives. It was great fun. Besides, I enjoy Malaysian cuisine, especially its spicy noodles.
“I wish we could have stayed longer, but it was hard to be in one place for too long because of the tour. But, I hope to come back again.”
Asked whether another album is in the works, Rossdale said there would definitely be more albums.
“I’m on a roll now.”
Rossdale, with that distinct and sexy voice, may not have sought out the limelight so much in the early 2000s, but Wanderlust suggests that he has what it takes to stand on his own as a rock star.
New Straits Times