Rosie Spotlight: A Chat to Daniel Ross

Over the years, some incredibly talented individuals have worked at Rosemount Hotel. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on one of these familiar faces: Daniel Ross! You might recognize him from mixing drinks behind our bar, rocking the stage with his band, The Wedges, or working at Hen House Rehearsal Studios. Get to know Dan better in the interview below…

Hey Dan, thanks for jumping on to tell us a bit more about yourself. We’ll start with the basics – What do you do? And what your favourite part about it?

Hey Ruby, I do a few things, for work I’m a bartender at the Rosie obviously, but I also work at a rehearsal studio called The Hen House and I’m also a musician, playing guitar and keyboard for heavy psych rock band The Wedges. I guess I’ll just say my favourite part about each.

My favourite part about working the bar at Rosie is running into people I haven’t seen in a while that I normally would never see and getting to catch up. Or just meeting new people, getting to talk to bands that come through there, I’ve met some people that I had already looked up to or heard of before working there which would send 17 year old me spinning. Can’t go wrong with a good chat with one of the regs as well. Shoutout to mad dog Mike.

Similar deal for The Hen House, is just a great opportunity to have chats with all kinds of different people, since they are all musos you get to learn a lot about the industry which helps with my passion. Getting access to the different studios is awesome as well. Have been able to pick up some new skills which I normally wouldn’t have.

Favourite part of playing in a band is watching the project as a whole grow over time. Wandering innocently into Indi Bar a couple years ago asking if they’ll put us on an open mic night to now recently hosting a mini festival at big ol’ Rosie which performed super well. We’ve met a lot of people which we now consider close friends and there’s a really solid community surrounding our scene which feels awesome to be a part of. Really feels like I’ve found my crowd which is something I am eternally grateful for. We are still very early in the journey but even making it this far is something I am proud of.

Sounds like you’re busy! Can you tell us what it is you love about being in Perth?

I love how it’s small enough where you sort of know everyone. If you go down to your local or some event there’s a pretty good chance you’ll see someone you know so usually guaranteed good times when you head out. There’s just heaps of moments of like “oh you know this person? I was in swim class with them” or something like that. Like I found out a good mate of mine lived around the corner from me the other day after I ran into him at a gig. Been catching up frequently since.

What’s the most memorable Rosemount Hotel event you’ve ever attended, and what made it stand out?

Definitely Spliffs N Riffs. Huge day of music running from 2pm – 11pm with 3 stages. I’d say it’s one of the bigger events I’ve seen put on there and it’s all the kind of music I get around heavily. All just heavy/psych rock music and it’s great. Perth typically isn’t the most ideal place to be if your in to heavy or experimental music, it’s a common thing for me to see my favourite bands doing Aus tours and by Aus they mean east coast so to have bands like Jack Harlon and the Dead Crows and Minami Deutch come through to play that gig was sick. Would highly recommend attending next year if you get the chance.

Spliffs n Riffs is always a good time. Now tell us – If you could invite any three people, living or dead, to a party, who would they be and why? 

Terence McKenna would be a funny dude to have around, he’d be good for the 4am kickons. I reckon he’d have some treats for me as well. Mid 2000’s Steve-O and Ozzy Osbourne in the same place would be mental.

What’s your favourite way to unwind after work?

IYKYK

Tell us a secret! What’s one thing about yourself that no one knows…

I was the one who ate the rest of the mint slices back in 07. My brother copped it for that.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Never done karaoke believe it or not but Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen would be my choice. Is that cheesy?

Absolutely not cheesy – any Queen song is a valid choice. Tell us your hidden talent or a hobby that might surprise people?

I can throat sing, usually confuses people rather than surprise though.

Badass! Throat sing Don’t Stop Me Now cover? One last question – If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

The Rosie buffalo chicken burger #plug

Check out Dan’s band The Wedges on Spotify, Instagram & Facebook.

Interview by Rosemount Hotel Marketing Coordinator, Ruby Dodwell.