British pop/rocker Steve Rushton steps into the spotlight

By Etan Rosenbloom

You can only tell so much from Steve Rushton's rap sheet. Many of this English singer/songwriter's biggest accomplishments thus far are connected to major Disney projects: he's got the lead-off singles in box office hits Race To Witch Mountain and Jerry Bruckheimer's G-Force, sings the theme song to Disney Channel's The Suite Life on Deck , and is the only artist with two songs on the platinum-certified soundtrack to Hannah Montana: The Movie, in which he also has an acting cameo. But while his recent achievements might suggest a young talent being groomed for mega-success in the teeny-bopper market, 21-year old Rushton is a born rocker, and he's doing things his own way.

Raised in the sleepy south England town of Chertsey, Rushton found success as a teenager with his rock bands Mr. Cheerful and Son of Dork, the latter of which had two Top 10 singles and a gold selling album in the UK. He's since transplanted to Los Angeles, where he's putting the finishing touches on his as-of-yet untitled debut solo record, set for release in 2010.

Rushton's been aided along the way by the innovative business practices of his publisher, Ford Global Songs. Ford Global's writer-friendly business model dictates that it will only split the publishing on Rushton's songs once they've generated revenues or exposure significant enough to warrant a co-publishing deal. With Ford Global Songs at his side, Rushton's been plenty busy recently. He found the time to chat with Playback enthusiastically about his influences, his forthcoming album and the path he's taken to fulfill his creative vision.

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Playback: What has the transition been like, moving from Surrey to Los Angeles?

Steve Rushton: It's been easy for me. I've always dreamed of coming out here, and I've always wanted to live here. It's an ambition. When I came out here in July (of 2008) to film the Hannah Montana movie, that was my first time out here. I was only supposed to be here for five days and I managed to extend it to three weeks. When I had the chance to move in November, I was super excited. I love it. I love everything about it -- the food, the accents, the girls –– it's great!!!

Tell me a little bit about how you got into music.

When I was about seven, my mom got with my stepdad. My stepdad is an Elvis impersonator, and at the time I met him I was interested in music but not in being a musician. I thought I was going to be a bank manager, or at least that's what my mom thought I was gonna be. Anyways, when I met him I used to go watch him perform and I was like... "Wow, he's a rock star!" He bought me my first acoustic guitar and he taught me the basic open chords, and by the age of eight he was getting me up on stage with him and his Elvis band to perform songs like "Hound Dog" and "Blue Suede Shoes" on guitar. He used to get me to wear the red jacket like the rest of his band, and I saw all these elderly ladies in social clubs enjoying it. And that's how I got into music!

"Ready to Rock" from your forthcoming solo album definitely has that vintage Elvis feel.

Yeah, and actually that song is very special to me. I didn't actually write that song. I was given that song last July when I came over to America for the first time. It was for a movie (Jerry Bruckheimer's G-Force). At the age of twelve, I started my first band, Mr.Cheerful, and I started that group after hearing my sister listening to Green Day. I really got into Green Day, and they've been my favorite band ever since. My main influences are Elvis Presley and Billy Joe of Green Day. So when I heard the song "Ready to Rock," to me that song sounded like if Elvis Presley ever had a writing session with Billy Joe. That would be the song they would come up with.

Is it weird for you to go from that edgy rock background and influence to primarily an early teenage audience that might be into more fluffy pop?

No. I just love pop. I guess you can label things fluffy -- I definitely don't think that that's where I'm at. But if kids like it, even if I don't like it, I'm happy. At the end of the day, I got into music because I enjoy it. I'm just going to enjoy it, and no matter what age they are, that's great. Job done.

You're writing with big-time songwriters like Antonina Armato, Daniel James and Leah Haywood. Are these people you've been writing with since the Mr. Cheerful and Son of Dork days?

No, these are people that I was connected with when I started writing my first album out in Los Angeles. I just made good friends and I always go back to write projects with them. Just like any writer, I go insane if I'm not writing, you know?

Are they pretty open in collaborating with you and taking your ideas?

Yeah, they seem very receptive, and I've had a great time and met a lot of great people. I feel very fortunate to be able to be working and spinning in the same circles as a lot of these great guys. I'm loving it!

You're writing with them mostly for your solo album, right?

All for my solo album, yes.

Would you say that you've been able to put your own stamp on all these songs?

Absolutely. That's why I left Son of Dork, because I didn't feel like I was getting myself across enough. I wasn't writing any of the songs for that group. I was playing guitar for that group, I was playing bass, and I had to answer to a lot of people. And I like to do things my way, or like you said, "put my stamp on it." So I definitely feel like I got that now that I'm doing this solo project.

How would you say your solo material differs from the other music that's coming out of the Disney camp these days?

I would say that mine is a little more mature and a bit more edgy. I'm not scared of saying certain things, and I think I'm a bit more rough around the edges.

That's what I like to hear! So your publisher sent me your cover of ELO's "Strange Magic." It's such a nice unexpected little bit of spice to close out the album. How did you choose that song?

Me and John Lind, the A&R at Hollywood Records, discussed it and we had a couple of options. They were thinking about me doing "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by Sting and The Police, and that's cool, but I was like "if you want to get an English influence going, let me know what you think (of ‘Strange Magic')." And that's why we chose that song. I'm really pleased with the cover. It did come out really well.

So the album is completely done now?

It's close to closed. We could say that it is finished but if a smash comes along, I'm sure it would be included.

Oh good! Then I have some ideas for you to get working on.

::laughs:: Sure, let's get together and collaborate!!!

When's it coming out?

We haven't confirmed a date because we haven't officially put a close to the album.

What kind of reactions are you getting from people outside the project?

Definitely family and friends are loving where I'm going and enjoying where I've come from. It's nice to hear people's comments. It gives me something to think about. I've really had a positive reaction so far. It's great!

Do you have a working title yet?

Not yet. I didn't want to call it "Steve Rushton." I wasn't really keen about naming the album after a song title at first, but there're two songs on my album that have great titles: "Ready to Rock," and I told you how special that is to me, and then "Rock ‘Till Your Heart Stops." There could be a name coming after those two tracks. Who knows?

So how many songs have you heard off my record?

Just a couple of them. I heard "Ready to Rock", "Strange Magic", and "Is Anybody Out There?"

What do you think?

They are really strong. I'll be honest, I'm a metalhead myself, so this style of music isn't what I'd choose to listen to at first. But I'm drawn to big, dynamic, bold songs with singers that actually have passion and production that does justice to all the nuances of the song. That's definitely what you've got on the few songs I've heard. I also like that there is a lot of edge, which is something missing from the High School Musical and Hannah Montana projects that I've heard.

I'm not really too involved with the Disney thing. A lot of people say that I'm one of the Disney kids – I'm not! I was lucky enough to have my first shot of fame out here with Hannah Montana: The Movie, but I'm not in it that much. And I've had a couple of popular songs in Disney movies, but that's as far as it goes. It's just placements, you know what I mean? I don't want people to think that I am this bubblegum, manufactured thing. I am a real musician and I hope that comes across.

Would you say that Disney helped you along the way, or were they just there at the perfect time?

It's both. They have definitely helped me along the way and I'm over the moon with the exposure I'm getting off of it. It's been great. I've been happy to keep getting placements in these movies, doing it for a long, long time, because they are a great company and they have produced great movies and do great work. It's good to be affiliated with them.

What's your favorite showbiz project that you've been involved in?

It would definitely be the Hannah Montana movie. I'd never been in a movie before, so to be on set and on camera was a really great experience and opportunity. I actually wrote two songs for the soundtrack. It's a big buzz for me that I'm in it.

Would you say that you prefer performing or songwriting? Or is it all part of the same process for you?

It's all part of the same process, but I do love performing live. That's when I'm most at home. If I'm not performing for a long time, I get a little jittery. So I'd probably say performance is my favorite, but I like all of it. I like the writing of songs. I like recording in the studio. I find it all really exciting.

When you do live shows is it mostly stuff you've written with your previous bands with a little mix of the solo stuff?

Definitely the solo stuff, because I want to keep it fresh and let them know what I'm singing now.

Are you touring the United States sometime soon?

Yeah, hopefully soon. We are looking to pick up a support slot for an artist this fall, maybe at the end of this year or the start of next year. We just really wanted to concentrate on getting the right songs and getting the album close enough to be ready to tour. We didn't want to rush anything and be half-hearted in some things, you know? We had to do one thing at a time.

Who are you looking to tour with?

We are not really looking at anyone in particular. We were hoping to support Miley (Cyrus) this year, but that's not gonna come. I know we really haven't started looking at anyone properly this year. We're just thinking about it. There were a couple we would love to have but I don't think they're right for my audience, you know?

I'm guessing Green Day is one of those bands.

I would love to, yes. I'd love to support someone like Pink as well. Or Lady Gaga -- maybe that might be too crazy!!!

You might be overshadowed by her wardrobe.

Exactly! I don't know you should see some YouTube videos of me at Disneyland. My wardrobe on the final night there was pretty crazy.

Is Disneyland mostly where you've been performing up until now?

Yes. After working on the album, that was the only chance I had to play live, so I played all summer at Disneyland. The majority of my performances in the States so far have been at Disneyland.

Final question, Steve: can you speak to the rumors of your relationship with Miley Cyrus?

I don't know what rumors you're talking about.

Come on, it's a bullet point in your press packet! It says "There are rumors of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship between Steven and Miley Cyrus."

Loved that they put that in there. Good job!

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