INTERVIEW: Bradley Rodgers
The multi-talented QLD-based Bradley Rodgers has many feathers in his proverbial cap - we picked his brain and got to know the man behind the decks.
The multi-talented QLD-based BRADLEY RODGERS has many feathers in his proverbial cap - he has a sweet line of hand-pressed tees and sweaters at Yorke, and he has just started his own Indie club night.
Progressing from his post as resident DJ at Never Land Bar on the Gold Coast to starting the No Hope night, Rodgers moving on to bigger things in the sunshine state.
We recently had the chance to pick his brain and getting a glimpse into the man behind.
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Bradley you have managed to achieve the dream, and have your finger in more than one pie, as if proving that you can really have it all. To what do you owe your ability to get more than one venture up and running?
Black coffee. Lots of it. Although I think the fact that I'm writing these answers at 1am, a week late, is a fair demonstration that I still haven't totally mastered it yet.
Your clothing label Yorke. includes hand-pressed tees and sweaters. What inspired your love of clothes?
I guess it goes hand in hand with with being into art and design. I would almost call myself a collector. I've always loved buying new tees and hats and discovering new labels and designers. My biggest problem is that I'm very fussy when it comes to the fits of tee shirts. Nothing would disappoint me more than finding a design you were really into, only to discover it's printed on a short, wide blank that's paper thin. So myself and 2 of my mates found a blank tee supplier that made cuts we all liked, taught ourselves how to screen print through YouTube videos and started making tee shirts.
What is the inspiration behind the designs on your clothing? Do you hit the drawing board from scratch, or adopt existing designs for your own purposes?
It's a little bit of everything. We have a nice mix between the three of us. We're trying to find a balance between the clean cut, classic gentleman (think 1960's New York barber shop or Mad Men on the weekends) and street / skate wear (think Supreme, Only etc.)
You've been a resident DJ at Never Land Bar on the Goldie for a few years now - what's the best thing about having worked at the one place for this length of time?
You make a lot of friends. Both patrons and artists. The management at Never Land has been the same since I started playing there so we have formed a pretty nice bond and definitely have a butt load of stories both awesome and embarrassing.
What motivated you to take the leap from DJ-ing to the more business-minded venture of conceiving the No Hope night?
It just seemed like a fun idea. I liked the concept of having ownership of my own night. When you’ve been playing at the same venue for so long it becomes harder and harder to continually be hassling your friends to come and party. I figured if I took one night a month and tailored it to be something that I know myself and my friends would be into then it could turn out to be pretty fun. So far it’s working!
No Hope is marketed as an Indie night - what are the limitations on the records the DJs can and can't spin? Any chance of an artist getting booted out of the club if they venture outside these boundaries (aka. Sia in Vegas)?
There is a massive emphasis on playing originals. Never Land, like most clubs can get pretty dancey when it comes to music (especially later in the night.) So when I imagined my night I really wanted to achieve a vibe that focusses on original indie pop and classics and not just dance remixes of indie songs. There is nothing quite like dropping The Strokes to a packed room and just watching everybody dance around stupidly. So far I haven’t had a Sia in Vegas moment. The guys that play seem to really get the concept and everybody seems to be enjoying it.
Is No Hope pitched at a particular target audience, a certain trend or age bracket?
Not really. Just people that want to have fun. I definitely wouldn't say it targets a commercial audience. I've still tried to create a night thats original and different for the area while at the same time I don't want to create a "you're not cool enough to be here" mentality. It's about celebrating the music that people listen to Monday to Friday and not being scared to play a song that's 5 years old. It's the kind of night where I'll be disappointed if everybody doesn't say "I haven't heard this song in ages" at least once. Almost a 'Triple J House Party' style, if you will.
Us pretentious Melbourne kids are under the impression that the QLD nightlife is a lot more boozed and raucous. (At the very least, once a year when Schoolies descends). Is this a fair assessment?
For the most part you'd be correct. It's a hard area. With the exception of Never Land and a few others there isn't many places trying to escape the stereotypes. If you're expecting fake boobs, fake tans and guys in tight shirts ordering bottle service, that's exactly what you'll find (especially in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.) Which I guess lends to the success of trying something different.
What aspect of your career are you most passionate about: the clothes, the DJ-ing or the managing of No Hope? If you had to let one go, which would you choose?
I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that. I will always consider myself a designer by career where as the DJing and music side of things i see more as a hobby. I’m sure it would feel like a more natural decision if it ever came time to make it but I would have to let the DJing go and keep running the Yorke and No Hope. (Plus I could still always sneak in a DJ set at my own night right?)
What is your favourite clothing store/brand of clothing?
Way too tough to answer. I guess I should say Yorke right?
More info on YORKE CLOTHING HERE
More info on NEVER LAND's NO HOPE parties HERE
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