Bachelor Girl: A Look at the Present and Recent Endeavors of the 90s Australian Pop Duo

Bachelor Girl burst onto the charts in 1998 with their hit song ‘Buses and Trains.’

And the first half of this year they’ll be touring the country with Simple Minds and ICEHOUSE for Series 2 of the Red Hot Summer Tour.

Way back in 1997, powerhouse vocalist Tania Doko joined talented keyboardist and songwriter James Roche, and were signed to Gotham Records.

‘Buses and Trains’, their first single from their debut album Waiting for the Day, became the most performed Australian composition on radio in the last 25 years, while their follow-up singles ‘Treat Me Good’ and ‘Lucky Me’ also charted within the ARIA top 50.

So where are Tania and James now and what have they been up to?

Memories: The stars of Bachelor Girl: Where are they now? Tania Doko [R] and James Roche seen here on the cover of their 1998 album 

In 2012, Tania (pictured with James in 1998) moved to Sweden where she continued to work as an artist, but also in production and artist mentorship

Tania Doko – lead singer 

In 2012, Tania moved to Sweden where she continued to work as an artist, but also in production and artist mentorship.

While in the ‘songwriting hub’ of Stockholm, she wrote hit records for music legends The Veronicas, Jessica Mauboy, Delta Goodrem, and Tina Arena. 

But the singer-songwriter also loaned her abilities to other artists near and far, writing for Kpop group Jus2, Aussie pop indie band Sheppard, and the UK group Steps. 

While in the ‘songwriting hub’ of Stockholm, she wrote hit records for music legends The Veronicas, Jessica Mauboy, Delta Goodrem, and Tina Arena. Tania pictured in 2023

While still in Sweden, James came to visit her in 2017 and the duo worked on new music, including the single ‘Speak’, which they released in 18 June 2018, 20 years to the day since ‘Buses and Trains.’ Pictured: Tania in 2023

She also worked as a vocal coach, and during the Covid-19 pandemic collaborated online with various Australian artists such as Kate Cebrano and Ricki-Lee Coulter.

While still in Sweden, James came to visit her in 2017 and the duo worked on new music, including the single ‘Speak’, which they released in 18 June 2018, 20 years to the day since ‘Buses and Trains.’

She married her Swedish husband Daniel and had a son, Leo, before moving her family back to Australia with her in 2021.

She married her Swedish husband Daniel and had a son, Leo, before moving her family back to Australia with her in 2021. Pictured: Tania in 2023

Since coming home, Tania continues to perform, both solo and with James as Bachelor Girl.

According to her website, Tania is ‘happily grounded back in Melbourne.’ 

‘There are more international releases for her songs in the pipeline, more fellow Aussie song making, and a solo album in the works bringing together her favourite Aussie and Swedish creatives,’ the website bio reports. 

After the band broke up in 2004, James moved to London and married musical theatre star Chelsea Plumley. While in the UK, he focused more on production, and worked extensively in composing music for film and television. Pictured at the end of 2023

James Roche – writer, keys, producer 

After the band broke up in 2004, James moved to London and married musical theatre star Chelsea Plumley.

While in the UK, he focused more on production, and worked extensively in composing music for film and television.

The musician moved back to Australia in 2008 and continued to his work in music production for artists such as Anthony Callea and Damien Leith.

James and Tania on tour in Tamworth in 2019

James continued to produce music for Australian television networks, as well as production work for music-themed shows such as Australian Idol. 

‘After some years as an artist I am focusing on production and composition work and software development as my core activity,’ James says on his website.

But like Tania, he is also focused on artist development and mentorship, helping the next generation of Aussie musicians come into their own. 

James and Tania have recently reunited and have been busy touring as Bachelor Girl, with several dates all across the country in the coming months.

James and Tania have recently reunited and have been busy touring as Bachelor Girl, with several dates all across the country in the coming months

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