There seem to be an increasing number of bands to emerge from nowhere of late, replete with devout following and their name on everyone’s lips. In the case of CAT CAT, the rise has been slow, steady and a bit unexpected. Bassist Warwick Smith admits: “It’s reaching a point now where we are finding our music popping up on music blogs and on the radio without much effort; we haven’t even really promoted ourselves outside of Canberra, so something is going alright.”
Forming in 2008 Cat Cat already boast quite a reputation and live history despite somewhat of a revolving door policy. “I’m not entirely sure where it all started, but I came to the band over a beer as there was a spot for a drone bass player,” says Smith. “The line up has changed a few times before I joined, and it has since changed again. On our last two EPs the core members were Kieran, Goo, Conor and me. Now our core members are myself and Conor and we often get a guest or two to play with us live.”
And when it comes time to pinpoint what makes Cat Cat’s music so different to the rest of local artists, and to explain their underground success, it seems style is the key. “I would say our music is mediative and sparkling lo-fi kraut pop,” says Smith. “To be precise. As Cat Cat we play shorter, brighter and sharper songs, and Conor has really good pop sense and great lyrics.”
Busying himself with running local label Birds Love Fighting and working on his solo project JW Sparrow and the Miner Birds, Smith is hardly taking time to smell the roses. Next up for the band is a gig with US artist Zack Kouns and Newcastle’s Alps. Smith says, “I think it’s very admirable to stop in a small town and play to potentially a handful of people. Kouns isn’t the biggest name in the world but he’s come all the way here to sell us his story. I’d hope for the same if I went out into the world.”
And while there’s currently only one EP to their name, last year’s Dig Mountains, Smith informs me there’s another making our way soon, entitled Waking Space, set for release in August/September, and with what I can only imagine a lot more gigs to boot. So, much to look forward to for all you lovers of sparkling lo-fi kraut pop, then.
Cat Cat will be playing with Zack Kouns and Alps on Saturday August 31 at Smiths Alternative Bookshop, and as part of Electric Lake II on Saturday October 16.
