Formed in Toronto in 1974, Rough Trade, the legendary Canadian art-rock/new wave outfit is the partnership of provocateur singer/songwriter Carole Pope and multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples (who met in 1968). Rough Trade’s signature electronic rock sound, rooted in influences as varied as Punk, Glam, Brel and Brill, coupled with lyrics and a stage show that pushed the boundaries of sexuality, sexual politics, and the status quo, was designed to make you think and dance at the same time. It was a formula that enshrined the band into the consciousness and playlists of fans the world over.
The seminal Canadian art-rock band achieved worldwide platinum success throughout their career as 3-time Juno (Female Vocalist), 3-time Casby, Genie Award-winning, Canadian Indie Hall Of Famers, the 4x Gold, Platinum, and Polaris Prize Nominees. Their Avoid Freud album cover is included in The Thierry Mugler catalogue for the Couturissime exhibit. Notorious for their provocative lyrics and shocking stage theatrics, Pope and Staples challenged the norms of rock and performance lyrically, musically and visually, surprising, pushing and shocking their fans and the media alike.
Their breakout album Avoid Freud was a clarion call to arms for a revolution that helped to pave the way for future Canadian female artists (gay and hetero) including Peaches, Tegan & Sara and k.d. Lang, while becoming a worldwide cult influence on artists from Madonna to Lady Gaga to David Bowie, the latter inviting Rough Trade, in 1983, to open the Canadian leg of the iconic Serious Moonlight Tour playing to capacity crowds as large as 60,000.
Rough Trade The Musical written by Pope and Kate Rigg starring Chilina Kennedy with music supervisor Debra Barsha is being workshopped in New York. A documentary on Carole’s life based on her autobiography Anti Diva is in development with the CBC produced by Michelle Mama and Gay Agenda. Pope has performed at World Pride, MOCCA, Fashion Cares 25, Largo, The Brooklyn Museum of Art, The AGO, ROM, NAC, Arts Wells, Luminato, Joe’s Pub, The Global Cabaret Festival, The Frostbite Festival, The Vancouver and Mariposa Folk Festivals, Riverfest Toronto, Los Angeles, Montreal, San Diego, San Francisco Pride Celebrations, the Michigan Womyn’s Festival and The Viper Room.
Rough Trade’s film credits include Love Lies Bleeding, The Trailer Park Boys Movie, Jump Darling, The Adjuster and the cult classic Cruising. Their songs have been covered by Dusty Springfield and Tim Curry. Pope has contributed music to film and television, including Transparent, Love or Whatever, The L Word, Ru Paul’s Drag Race, This Revolution, Queer As Folk, The Five Senses, and The Silencer. Staples work as a composer includes They Walk with You, The Autism Enigma, Mysterious Ruins, Devil’s Bargain, Smart Women’s Survival Guide, Mary Magdalene, The Baby Human, and One World and much more.
