“…we are pushing a few boundaries with this album that we felt we have not in the past, and that is what you really must do as a musician first, and that is to keep creative, because once you decide you’re not doing this or that and stop growing and creating, you lose the spark.”
From Release: The Superjesus return with brand new single LIGHTS OUT, the follow up to recent airplay hit Money (We’re Only In It For Love). The driving, melodic track – written by Sarah McLeod and Stuart Rudd and produced by drummer Murray Sheridan – provides the perfect backdrop for McLeod’s distinctive vocal.
We had Ruddy answer some questions for us about the return of The Superjesus, new music, touring, and much more…
Welcome to May The Rock Be With You, Ruddy, and thanks for your time.
Thanks for having me on board!
The most exciting thing is that you guys are back, so let’s start with the lineup changes, a couple of new members recently joined The Superjesus, tell us why you felt this change was needed in the band?
Thank you, we are truly excited to be back out and touring again this year, and as you mentioned we are blessed to have fresh talent in the band.
The thing was, it was becoming more obvious that the chemistry wasn’t meeting its full potential, and it is one of the hardest things to do in any band, to find the right chemistry, but we felt to move forward, that what was needed, and take that risk.
When getting new people, does it in a way feel like starting over again or was it a seamless feeling for you?
A bit of both really, but luckily for us the feel of the band and music was at a peak, and that made it seamless.
Along with new members equals new music and with singles ‘Money (We’re Only In It For Love) and more recently with ‘Light’s Out’ your first new music in a long time, why was now the right time for new music from The Superjesus?
We had recorded 2 EPs since but felt that an album was well within our grasp. Sarah Mcleod and I had started to formulate ideas, and with that came a new song writing partnership that felt great, as well as having the D&A of the last 20 plus years, and we feel that now is as good as anytime to write music. I mean, that’s just what we do .
How if in any way has the creative process changed for the band over the years?
It’s still pretty much the same, formulating ideas and song ideas and going back and forth until it is a happy medium, and we can create a song to present to the guys.
Anything you can tell us about maybe a forthcoming album that no one else knows yet?
Well, we are pushing a few boundaries with this album that we felt we have not in the past, and that is what you really must do as a musician first, and that is to keep creative, because once you decide you’re not doing this or that and stop growing and creating, you lose the spark.
Along with new music comes a tour which kicks off very soon, tell us how you foresee a Superjesus shaping up in 2023?
The LIGHTS OUT tour will take us thru till DEC, and then we plan or re-entering the studio to record more songs. So, this year is about touring and song writing, and to us that is a perfect scenario.
Now let’s talk anniversaries, Sumo turned 25 earlier this year, let’s jump back to 1998, what’s your best memory about releasing your debut album?
It was incredibly exciting, we were touring New Zealand when I first heard the mix, ill never forget it .
Recording at the Triclops studio in Atlanta, was a real treat for us, as it was where so many of the bands we were listening to had recorded. HOLE, SMASHING PUMPKINS etc to name a few had recorded. It was a magical time, and to think we had not long before been hustling for gigs up and down Rundle Street in Adelaide, it was a real pinch yourself moment.
Let’s keep looking back, as over your career it can be very easy to say what can change over time but what for you is the one thing that has always remained the same for you in The Superjesus?
The love of what we do, and the music. Mcleod and myself have never not loved it, and that’s why we are still here today .
Over the years you’ve shared the same stage as many huge bands but I do have to ask though, what was it like opening for KISS?
It was a real moment for me, growing up a HUGE KISS fan, it felt like the circle was complete in some way. KISS was the first live concert I went too, the first album I ever got was KISS, and was the band that got me into music to start with. I felt like I was 12 years old again, for real!!
Lastly let’s look ahead to the future, by the end of 2023, The Superjesus will…
Touring and releasing music and remaining to stay on course!
Essential information
From: Adelaide, Australia
Band members: Sarah McLeod, Stuart Rudd, Murray Sheridan, Cam Blokland
Website: http://www.thesuperjesus.com
Latest Release: Lights Out (Out Now)
THE SUPERJESUS – LIGHTS OUT TOUR 2023
SAT 26 AUG – WALLABY HOTEL – MUDGEERABE, QLD Tickets HERE
SUN 27 AUG – THE ZOO – BRISBANE, QLD Tickets HERE
FRI 15 SEP – CROXTON BANDROOM – THORNBURY, VIC Tickets HERE
SAT 16 SEP – BARWON CLUB HOTEL – GEELONG, VIC Tickets HERE
FRI 22 SEP – BRIDGWAY HOTEL – POORAKA, SA Tickets HERE
SAT 07 OCT – LAURIETON EX-SERVICES – LAURIETON, NSW Tickets HERE
FRI 13 OCT – TILLY’S – WAGGA WAGGA, NSW Tickets HERE
SAT 14 OCT – THE VICTORIA HOTEL – BATHURST, NSW Tickets HERE
FRI 17 NOV – VOLTA – BALLARAT, VIC Tickets HERE
SAT 18 NOV – GOLDEN VINE HOTEL – BENDIGO, VIC Tickets HERE
FRI 06 OCT – C. EX COFFS HARBOUR – COFFS HARBOUR, NSW Tickets HERE
FRI 08 DEC – PORT BEACH BREWERY – FREMANTLE, WA Tickets HERE
SAT 09 DEC – RAVENSWOOD HOTEL – RAVENSWOOD, WA Tickets HERE
SUN 10 DEC – ALBIES BAR – BUSSELTON, WA Tickets HERE
