Gravy on BayFM: Beats ’n’ Business, Big Moments and Keeping It Local

Our co-founder Dave “Gravy” Keam dropped by local legend Phil Daly’s Beats ’n’ Business on Byron Bay’s BayFM 99.9 earlier this month, and it felt about as on-brand as it gets. Local radio, local voices, and a proper chat about what’s been a pretty wild few weeks for Rallee.

The interview landed just days after the Australian Open wrapped up, and if you followed along, you’ll know it was one we won’t forget in a hurry. A mix of pinch-yourself moments, late nights, a few tense calls, and a lot of gratitude for how far things have come in a short space of time.

From Centre Court to Community Radio

Phil kicked things off by asking about the Australian Open, and for good reason. Watching John Peers and Olivia Gadecki win the mixed doubles was huge. First Australians to do it since ’89, and doing it in Rallee gear. For a brand that’s only been properly in market a little over a year, that’s not something we take lightly.

Gravy spoke about how surreal it was just seeing our logo out there, let alone on players lifting a trophy. Anyone who’s ever tried to build something from scratch will get it. Getting to the first round is hard enough. Winning it all is another thing entirely.

Then came one of the most emotional moments of the summer. Sitting in the crowd watching Ash Barty and Pat Rafter walk out for an exhibition match on centre court, both wearing Rallee, alongside Federer, Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt. It’s one thing to dream about moments like that. It’s another to actually live them. Gravy didn’t sugarcoat it. It hit hard, in the best possible way.

The Australian Open That Changed Everything

Ash joining Rallee as an ambassador and investor was the announcement that tipped everything into overdrive. What people didn’t see was how it all came together. Ash reached out to Pat back in November, told him she loved what we were building and asked if she could be involved. Pat passed it on, and the answer came back pretty quickly.

What followed was a crash course in keeping things quiet. Embargos, press lined up, and a Saturday night where orders started flying in before we were allowed to say a word. Phones buzzing, mates texting screenshots, and a lot of deep breaths while we waited for the story to break properly.

 

Gravy also spoke candidly about Dane Sweeney’s run at the Open. The excitement of seeing him qualify and knock off big names, followed by the very real tension of a call from Lululemon mid-tournament. That’s the reality of the space we’re in. Big brands, big offers, and tough conversations. No ego, just honesty about what’s best for everyone involved.

Keeping It Coastal, Keeping It Honest

A big part of the chat focused on why Rallee exists in the first place. Down at the Byron courts, no one’s wearing traditional tennis kits. It’s Volcom, Rip Curl, Thrills. Surf brands, skate brands, coastal uniforms. That gap between how people actually live and what they’re meant to wear on court is where Rallee sits.

Being based in Byron shapes everything we do. Ethics, sustainability, and accountability aren’t buzzwords here. They’re expectations. Gravy talked about working with production partners who have strict ethics teams, and the challenges that come with doing things properly. Turning down fabrics. Waiting longer. Making calls that are harder but feel right.

He also touched on how hands-on we still are. James and Gravy answering customer emails. Packing orders. Walking into the local warehouse to grab stock for a last-minute sponsorship. Keeping everything close so nothing slips through the cracks.

What’s Next?

When Phil asked what’s coming next, the answer was refreshingly honest. It’s a bit unclear. And that’s okay. There’s momentum, opportunities popping up everywhere, and plenty of conversations happening both here and overseas. The focus right now is keeping things rolling, staying grounded, and not losing sight of why we started.

 

If you want to hear the full conversation, jump over to BayFM and give the episode a listen. (Or below, if it's archived)

 

And if you’re curious about what we’re building, you can always find us at ralleeclub.com or over on Instagram. This is Byron Bay. This is community. And we’re just getting started.

Listen to the full Beats ’n’ Business interview: