May 31, 2004
Cover scans for Live At Adelphia online
Thanks to TheYak, in the privileged position of owning one of the few copies made, we now have cover art scans for Live At Adelphia to supplement the tracklisting and mp3 samples already online. Check them out in the Cat Empire discography - which is now by far the most comprehensive on the web.
May 26, 2004
The Cat Empire play World Environment Day!
from wilderness.org.au
MELBOURNE - March + Rally
Sunday 6 June at midday - State Library to Federation Square
With The Cat Empire, David Bridie, Peter Phelps (from Stingers), Paul Kelly and award-winning author Richard Flanagan
Sorry guys but its Melbourne only! Great to see the boys getting behind such a great cause!
May 25, 2004
The Cat Empire play The Opera House!
Spotted by samfmoore in the forums, music television channel MusicMAX are having MAX Sessions at the Sydney Opera House:
This August sees the premiere of the MAX Sessions series two, entitled 'The Australian Collection', which looks set to emulate the tremendous success and high music standards set by the original series. On the roster this time around, the Sessions features the cream of the Australian crop including Paul Kelly, George (pictured), John Butler Trio, Kasey Chambers, The Cat Empire and one other very special guest to be announced soon.
These are "invite-only" in that you have to win tickets to see them. The Cat Empire will be playing on June 15. Keep an eye on here and the forums for news on the competition.
With a vibrant live reputation, Melbourne upstarts The Cat Empire are the next worthy guests to play for the MAX Sessions - 'The Australian Collection' and promise a show to remember. If you want to be there, enter now.
The competition ends on June 9, so enter now!
No Sense
(Submitted by casey from the forums)
Some days I wake
and I do look outside
and I know what I see
And think the dream from where I've come
might be reality
I stand and I do walk
and I do look
and I fall short of making sense
and on days like this I....
On days like these I'm looking at billboards and machines
and commercials on the screens
when the pictures in the trains
playing games inside the brains of all the people
who oblige like ants
to advertising sydnicates
I look at shit like this
and I cannot make no sense of it
Mad about thinking about thinking about
all the streets that never end
filled with cars and trucks and parking lots
and fumes that fill my head
and then my mind begins to hurt
it beats inside of me
I look and I do wonder
but I cannot make no sense of it
It drives me mad hearing all the mobiles that do ring
seeing kids with phones like dogs with bones
destruction these things bring
and then I'm sure man must be mad to worship tools like this
I think of better things
and I cannot make no sense of it
I was born in a land where natives they were shamed
and today the government's afraid to recognise the blame
and deal with reconciliation that does stink
I think of better things
and I cannot make no sense of it
[ repeat ]
I think of better things....
Ryan Monro
Date of Birth: 26th July, 1981
Plays: upright bass and bass guitar
Plays in: The Cat Empire, The Genie
Schooling: Frankston High School, then studied at VCA.
Random Facts:
Started playing guitar in year 9 then moved onto bass
He can play the bass line from any song he is 'into'
His favourite club in Melbourne is The Night Cat
He is more of a dog person than a cat person
He feels as though WrItiNg iN aLteRnaTinG caps on the Internet is strange
Roots n All - JJJ Thursday 27 May
There will be a very special Roots 'n' All on JJJ this Thursday night, as Harry and Jumps take over from Jordie Kilby to present this week's show. They'll no doubt be bringing their own take to the show's agenda:
Roots 'N All reflects the contemporary roots music scene worldwide. The show features local and overseas musicians from genres as diverse as Blues, Folk, Jazz, Country, Soul, Reggae and World.
Tune in to Triple J Radio, Thursday 27 May 11pm-1am. If you hear it, discuss it in the forums!
Click Here for a full playlist
May 24, 2004
Miserere
(submitted by StackedActor from the forum)
Do you ever look around?
Turn your ear to the ground, show your face to the sky
On a night when the skies echo sounds?
From inside of your mind
On a stage that you shone where the sun did become you and
Move with your thoughts through the signs and the scenes
Of the worlds you have seen and the sights that have been
Your reflection in shadows and dreams
Your reflection in shadows and dreams
Did you ever see a man,
Who did walk down the street, white robe with no shoes on his feet,
And on top of his head placed a box with two slits,
And a sign from his neck said “I do not exist”
Or a woman who could not remember her name,
Did stutter and stutter again and again,
And saw you and called you her son,
Her eyes said
“My being is gone, but still I’m not dead”
Oh miserere, miserere, miserere, miserere, miserere
Have you ever seen a sound?
Have you listened to an image?
Have you ever touched a thought?
Have you ever tasted nothing?
Have you ever told a lie that was true more than truth?
Because truth it had lied all its life
When it spoke to you and
What did it say, it is that, it is this, this goes here, here is there,
It is not, yes it is
It was dying, your senses, your eyes, they were numb
And forever my friends, been looking around
And the other replies with a wave of a hand,
I am already here in this promised land,
But not by a god,
And not by a king,
And not by a spirit, deep from within
I am here, because miracles are …….., it’s a flash of glory it’s an empty tin,
Now maybe, might let you in, not to save you but to keep on looking and
Oh miserere, miserere, miserere, miserere, miserere
Miserere, miserere
Oh miserere, miserere
Have you ever been so happy that you’re sad,
That the lights turn to stars,
And the stars become eyes,
And hellos are goodbyes,
And the laughs are the sighs,
And the show disappears with a note
Until next time
Long live living, if living can be this
Long live living, if living can be this
Long live living, if living can be this
Long live living, if living can be this
Do you ever look around?
Turn your ear to the ground?
Show your face to the sky on a night when the skies echo sounds?
From inside of your mind,
On the stage that you shone when the sun did become you and
Move with your thoughts through the signs and the scenes
Of the worlds you have seen and the sights that have been
Your reflection in shadows and dreams
Do you ever look around and find what is yet to be found?
Europe tour dates online
The official website has got details for the Europe tour. These gigs have started being added to our Cat Empire Gigography too.
It looks like a big schedule: ten weeks, seven countries, including another billing at the Edinburgh festival Spiegeltent. There's sure to be a continent full of fans after this!
May 22, 2004
mp3 samples for Live At Adelphia
In the Cat Empire discography you'll now find mp3 samples for the ultra-limited-edition Live At Adelphia release. It's similar in quality to Tapes, Breaks and Outtakes but is a little earlier (and it shows sometimes). Have a listen!
A touch of class with Julie O'Hara
Going off on a slight tangent here folks, but thought many of you would like to know that the delightful Julie O'Hara will be playing at Dizzy's this weekend and again in a few weeks.
Saturday, 22 May 2004 - "Scenario" with Julie O'Hara
From Bebop to Cool with a touch of class.
9PM
Entry Fee: $15/10
Also, catch the Julie O'Hara Qrt on Friday, 11 June 2004
Swing, funk and scat the night away!
9PM
Entry Fee: $15/10
May 21, 2004
One Month = One Thousand Posts!
The forums have been getting more popular all the time. We've just passed the 1000th post - and it was a corker. Well done to everyone in the forums, and if you're not already signed up, now is a perfect time to do it.
This also approximately marks the one month point for the forums, and the site. You can see the first blog post and first forum post for posterity.
May 20, 2004
Guitar Tabs at OzTabs
There are some guitar tabs available for some Cat Empire songs at OzTabs. Something to help you croon along to your favourite tunes!
May 18, 2004
Scans for more Cat Empire singles
We've added some scans to the discography entries for Hello (NZ) and Days Like These (Aus). Whenever there's more information about a release, we'll add it. For instance, a little tidbit from the forum about The Sun:
apparently, (this is from one of the Bennetts managers) while the boys own the rights to the songs on The Sun, the recording studio have the final say over when and where it gets pressed.
Conglomerate (w/ Ollie and Harry) gig tonight
Thanks to TheYak in the forums for the heads up on tonight's gig at Dizzy's:
Youth Jazz Project - The ConglomerateWith The Cat Empire's Ollie McGill (keys), Harry Angus(trumpet), Jules Pascoe (bass) & Harry Shaw-Reynolds (drums).
Start Time: 8:00:00 PM
Entry Fee: $10/8
I'm sure Ollie will be going nuts in an improv jazz kinda way. Check it out at Dizzy's if you're in Melbourne.
Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
Submitted by korny:
i've done too much of some things
and not enough of others
just like all life lovers
I've changed and changed and changed and changed
from one thing
to another
i've had complicated dealings
with complicated feelings
and i've cut and bruised and torn
I've made blinds on the windows of my mind
with the time
that my back once wore
i'm a single person
in the universe and I am
here to say to you:
On the day that I die I'll just give a smile and fly into the blue
(cause we're all just)
Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
that rest on a sunday
work on a monday but someday soon
we'll be singing the old tunes
zip-a-dee-doo-da, zip-a-dee-doo
I'll be sitting on the porch with you
then I'll die and I'll fly off into the blue
Some nights I see the world
with its winds and its whirls
and I feel undefeated
But every day I see the girl
with the strawberry curl
and I'm too shy to meet her
Some nights I go to bed
there's a ghost in the air above my head
and I tremble
Sometimes I eat KFC
other times I give up meat
and I just eat lentils
I'm a single soul on this big blue ball
and I am here to sing a song:
about the day that I was born till the day that i'll be gone and the song wont last for
long
(cause we're all just)
CHORUS
an enemy is a remedy to a malady in your melody
if you're strong not brittle
and a friend is a friend is a friend to the end
and its oh so simple
a man is a man and a woman is a woman but the
times we are living in demand that a man can
change from a man to a woman
and a woman can demand to be a man
we're just flesh with sock and locks and frocks
and I would like to say to you
on the day that I die I'll just give a smile
and fly into the blue
(cause we're all just)
CHORUS
(All we have is the chorus, contributed by AndyC in the forums):
protons neutrons electrons rest on a sunday work on a monday
and we'll be singing the same song, zipadee doo dah, zippedee doo
and i'll be sitting on the porch with you
and i'll die and go into the blue
Secret Gig, Bennetts Lane
Last night, Melbourne forgot how to keep a secret...
secret (adj): Kept hidden from knowledge or view; concealed.
Much has been made of The Cat Empire's famed 'secret gigs', where the band plays to small crowds and jams all night. Last night, Melbourne forgot how to keep a secret. The line to get into Bennetts Lane Jazz Club stretched half way down the road, and people were being turned away at the door.
The amount of people, combined with the number of shows the boys have done equalled a gig that while still great by normal standards, lacked the X-factor we've all come to love and expect from The Cat Empire.
Again, as with last week's sold-out ticketed gig, (there were definately more people there last night) plenty of new songs featured... The Lullaby and Protons Neutrons Electors are fast becoming crowd favourites!
The night also saw Ryan do a rare and long overdue bass solo in Days Like These, Felix play a driving conga solo in In My Pocket (and have his voice break in The Rhythm) and Ollie mystify the crowd with a couple of solos that were so melodic and un-Ollie, yet still amazing (would you expect anything less?) Harry brushed up on his French for Hotel Calfornia, and, once again, the crowd were left motionless in The Miserere.
While you're always guarenteed a great night at a Cat Empire gig, I wonder whether all the touring is taking it's toll... but let's keep that a secret between you and me, okay?
The setlist is available in the gigography entry for this gig.
May 17, 2004
Bennett's Lane "Secret Gig", Melbourne
A "secret gig" at Bennett's Lane - not announced on the main site, but some details available from the forums
Setlist
- Manifesto
- The Rhythm
- The Lost Song
- The Lullaby
- Alive
- In My Pocket
- The Miserere
- How to Explain
- Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
- Days Like These
- Hotel California
- The Night that Never Ends
- Ala Wallee
- All That Talking
mp3 samples for Hello (NZ Release) online now
There are now mp3 samples for all songs on the Hello single that was released in New Zealand only. This includes the song East which only shows up here.
The single is still available through online NZ retailers, so if you are super keen you can grab one yourself. Meanwhile, check out the discography entry.
May 16, 2004
Kieran Conrau
Date of Birth: 22nd July 1982
Plays: Trombone
Plays with: The Empire Horns, assorted other Melbourne bands.
Random facts:
Completed high school at Blackburn High
He was part of the VCE season of excellence in 2000-2001
His sisters Alyssa and Kristy occasionally play as 'The Empire Strings'
Plays soccer socially
Ross Irwin
DOB: __ February, 1983
Plays: Trumpet
Plays in: 'The Empire Horns', assorted other bands around Melbourne.
Random facts:
He completed high school at Blackburn High
He has his own big band and soul specials; 'The Ross Irwin Big Band', 'Ross Irwin Soul Specials'.
Ross has backed many, many, many Australian performers (see comments for details)
Harry James Angus
This biography entry has been pulled together by forum members from their own knowledge and data scattered over the web. If you have something you'd like to add or clarify, leave a comment or post in the forums.
Name: Harry James Angus
DOB: 11th June 1982
Plays: trumpet, vocals (singing, scat, beatbox,...), guitar, piano.
Plays with: The Cat Empire, The Conglomerate
Random facts:
- Harry went to McKinnon High and was in lots of ensembles at school.
- He joined The Cat Empire in early 2000 (he wasn't part of the Jazz Cats)
- Evidently Ella Fitzgerald's song "Lemondrop" got him into scatting.
- Made a television appearance on the music game show 'Spicks and Specks' in October 2005
- Is left handed
Felix Riebl
(Continue helping this biography to go by visiting this thread)
Date of Birth: 1st May, 1981
Status: Long term relationship
Role in TCE: Lead vocalist, plays percussion, dances.
Random facts:
Felix is one of the original members of The Cat Empire.
He can play the piano.
His father is Austrian and his mother is Australian, who own a vineyard and released a selection of wines under the name of 'Terra Felix'.
He has a younger brother, Max, and a younger sister Rosalie (?)
Enjoys the books The Illiad and The Odyssey
Will Hull-Brown
Name: Will Hull-Brown
DOB: 11th August 1982
Plays: drums / percussion
Marital Staus: Engaged
Won the National Up and Coming Drummer's Award in 1999. Student of Paul Matcott.
Will's influences include: Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, and the Dave Matthews Band.
First Drum Kit: A black Premier 5-piece APK given to him for Christmas in 1992.
Education: Finished VCE at Balwyn High in 2000, did 'Planning' at RMIT for 1 year in 2001, studied drums with Michael Barker, Paul Matcott and Darryn Farrugia.
Teaching: Taught drum kit at Marcellin College and Lilydale Heights Secondary College in 2002.
Grip: Uses a matched grip
Favourite bands/artists: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Led Zeppelin, The Police, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Billy Joel, James Brown, Dire Straits, Guns n Roses, Cold Chisel, Pearl Jam
Other Instruments played: Xbox
Sport: A fanatic Carlton supporter (Australian Football League team) and wanted to play in the AFL until realising musical opportunities were more important to him. When not on tour, he still plays basketball socially with basketball team 'White Fangs'. Their website can be found here.
Jamshid "Jumps" Khadiwala
DOB: _______________
Role in the band: Turntables, dancing, tambourine, castinets.
Random Facts:
Completed high school at Trinity Grammar
Enjoys playing touch football
Older brother Fairooz is a member of 'The Empire Dancers'
Ollie McGill
Name: Oliver McGill
Date of Birth: ______ , 1981
Plays: piano / keyboard / melodica, recorder, banjo, piano accordian, saxophone
Plays with: The Cat Empire, The Conglomerate, The Genie
Random facts:
- He's left-handed
- He plays banjo in C tuning (as opposed to G) and removes the drone string
- Went to Wesley
- Herbie Hancock is one of his influences
- Has been playing piano since around the age of 2 years old
- His father, Ian McGill, plays a large role in the artistic design work for The Cat Empire
Secret Gig on Monday night
As you may have noticed in the forums, there's a "secret gig" on Monday 17th May at Bennett's Lane in Melbourne. The Cat Empire are always sneaking in an extra gig here and there when they can, so they can play to a variety of audiences. Get along if you can...
In My Pocket
Submitted by korny:
I've got a key
and a piece of paper in my pocket deep
in my pocket piece of paper and a key
as I wander through the streets
war is there a war
or is there isn't a war anymore
somebody told me that nothing is for sure
can you hear the ocean roar
on each street is a tree
in the distance the desert sleeps
sometimes a sigh is a song
and a breath is a melody
mountains rise and mountains fall
so just what does forever mean
I give a smile I give a song
for one moment's eternity
na na na na na na na na na na na etc.
Oh but its some mob
some mob that brought me here I know it is my job
To seek my fortune nana thank you for this mob
remember you now you are gone
If I went away
tropical island somewhere sunny every day
but everyone I ever cared about remained
would I tan or would I fade
So every morning he wake
spend his day at the daybreak
and every spoonful he take
be of something his own make
oceans rise and oceans fall
so just what does tomorrow mean
i give a smile i give a song
for one moments eternity
na na na na etc.
May 15, 2004
Virgin Megastore, Melbourne
2pm performance and signing. Initial feedback (from the forums):
the performance in virgin megastore was great, as usual, just the atmosphere they create is awesome!!!
They sang a new song which was really good, everyone seemed to enjoy it!!
(the new song was In My Pocket)
Setlist
- How to Explain
- In My Pocket
- The Rhythm
- Days Like These
- The Chariot
Photos
Undercover superagent beanni comes through with some shots of the intimate atmosphere:
Movies online now
We've got the first live videos of The Cat Empire online now. They are from the Triple J Unearthed Metro gig and the Virgin in-store Sydney gig just recently. If you've got a fast connection, or some patience, you can check out some footage of them live in action!
As always, if you have video to contribute, please get in contact.
May 14, 2004
Review of the Lido gig online
Thanks to our gig-going members in the forums, we've now got a setlist and review of the Lido gig in The Cat Empire Gigography. Sounds like a great night:
All that Talking - felix said that it almost didnt get recorded.... it was the last song they did in the studio, ryan was about to storm out because he was so tired, will was so tired he could hardly play and ollie 'in another world'... so they decided to record this.. ryan lay down on his back with his double bass on top of him and started to play, with his eyes closed... will was playing with his cheek on his shoulder and almost nodding off.... ollie was 'wide awake' so of course ryan lay down on the stage, with his bass on top of him and started to play....amazing...
Read the whole review for yourself. And if you went, leave your own feelings about the night too!
Jazz Cats Reunion
Check out Melbourne newspaper The Age for a review of the Jazz Cats reunion at Dizzy's Jazz Bar last Monday (10th May):
Five years ago, Steve Sedergreen - a long-time teacher and mentor to young musicians - invited nine students from nine high schools to come together as a band under his tutelage. Later that year, he gave the band (the Jazz Cat) a weekly gig at his jazz club, Dizzy's.
We've posted about the Jazz Cats before, too.
May 13, 2004
Lido, Melbourne
From the official website:
The Cat Empire present their own jazz night at The Lido Caberet Club on Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. Join us in this unique venue for a night of Jazz music, by The Cat Empire & other Melbourne Jazz musos.Doors open 8.00pm
Through Gaslight & Polyester from21/04/04
Seated tickets at front (with a supper menu available), or standing room only tickets available
Will sell out quickly
Setlist
It's really a review! Contributed by orangejimmy in the forums:
Set 1
- Rhyme and reason - one of the first songs felix ever wrote
- Days like These - felix said that when he wrote it the original idea was to have it kinda sad... so in saying that the chorus was done well and sounded kinda bittersweet.... also jazz style night time rhyme!
(it gets a little sketchy round here)
- The Night that never End - supposedly about when felix's dad would make him stay up later and later and later until finally he decided to write a song about it
- How to Explain
- The Lost song - a little bit of banter about harry's glasses.. he took them off.....
(i think there was another on in here... i forget )
- Protons Neutrons Electrons - I can see why flecktone quit his job... this is the first time i'd heard it and it is awesome... so many quotable quotes.... 'we're all just protons, neutrons, electrons, rest on a sunday, work on a monday...'
- The Lullaby - take what i said about quotable quotes above and multiply it by the biggest number you can think of... i just wish i could remember them
Set 2:
(again approximately)
- The Sun - i've loved this song since i first heard it and it was a pleasure to hear it live!
- The Rhythm - i was a bit dissapointed that the tedesco's didnt come out after all i've heard but it was still great
- Les Miserere - felix said it was happy and sad at the same time, it was about seeing friends he hadnt seen for years at all the festivals but at the same time knowing he would have to leave them in a week or so... at the moment it was for his grandmother (crowd: awwww felix: you wouldn't be awwwing like that if you knew her )
- Nothing - i've always loved this song
- Manifesto - they played the extended version of of manifesto found on the days single... i've always wanted to hear that live so
- Song for My Love (?) - not sure of the title... the first time they'd ever played it! written 'just last week'... for leah (?)
- All that Talking - felix said that it almost didnt get recorded.... it was the last song they did in the studio, ryan was about to storm out because he was so tired, will was so tired he could hardly play and ollie 'in another world'... so they decided to record this.. ryan lay down on his back with his double bass on top of him and started to play, with his eyes closed... will was playing with his cheek on his shoulder and almost nodding off.... ollie was 'wide awake' so of course ryan lay down on the stage, with his bass on top of him and started to play....amazing...
Review
Submitted by beanni in the forums.
It was an absolutely magical night,the venue was beautiful. the whole place was red and the stage was really small. there were these red lights in a line around the wall/ceiling and stage which would light up every so often at a really climactic part which was fantastic.
The tedesco brothers and flamenco dancers amazed everyone and most of the time the room was silent while there was dancing. i know i was mesmerised! they were received fantastically and later on as each one left the building they got their own applause.
The set up: the stage was tiny so everything was quite close together, there as ollie on piano, not keyboard (which was a really great change, made a big difference), ryan had both his basses, will of course had his kit, jumps seemed to have half his tables but they didnt really feature much during the night and most of the time he was playing various percussion instruments, harry had his trumpet and of course a mic and felix had congas and a mic, most of the time he sat down while he sang.
James has already shown you what a fantastic setlist it was (i apologise if i overuse excitable adjectives in this post, i just cant help it!) so i wont really go into that too much. during the first set it seemed like each of the songs was just used as an intro to a nice, long jam which was great...the whole night really seemed to be about the music and the band having fun and playing for themselves and playing what they wanted.
Another thing which was really nice was that the band had their families and close friends sitting down the front. Seeing things like harrry and his younger sister winking at each other was nice, the whole night just had a great feel.
They were indescribably great, just really on top of their game. i really felt like i was bursting with happiness the whole night.
- The Sun - i've loved this song since i first heard it and it was a pleasure to hear it live!
Night Cat Review, 12th May
"Celebrate good times, come on!" Okay, so no Kylie, but plenty of fun to be had with The Cat Empire for the Night Cat's 10th Anniversary party.
No presale for the gig, so by 7:30 there was a queue the length of the building waiting to get in at 8:00! This was a gig for old times sake, back to one of the places where the band first got a following and, according to Harry, the place where the middle section of Hello was born (you know, the bit where the crowd counts them back in, call and response style?)
There were probably about 500 people there, and about 450 of those were stuffed onto the dance floor, making it impossible to dance, and pretty damn uncomfortable, especially near the front. Still, it's all about survival of the fittest, and most people just put up with it.
The boys, who looked absolutely exhausted (it's been a long tour) played three sets, and finished up at about 1:30ish. Empire Horns in attendance and, as always provided that little bit of extra fun!
In true Night Cat tradition, the front windows were completely fogged up inside, leaving Felix a chance to draw the Empire logo onto them and the Empire Horns boys a chance to draw a very sneaky stick figure picture of a certain hip shaking, timbale playing singer, complete with hat and drumsticks, before it was quickly erased!
The crowd lapped it up... a very patriotic night. Our Melbourne boys doing what they do best in their heartland!
Setlist
(This isn't totally accurate... if anyone was there and can fill in the gaps, let me know)
Set One
Feline (not sure if that's what it's called)
Beanni
The Cat Empire (this isn't the name of this song, I'm sure. It's the T-H-E, C-A-T, E-M-P to the I-R-E one)
In My Pocket
Days Like These
The Waltz
Set Two
(This is where things are a bit scratchy)
The Rhythm
The Lullaby
The Chariot
Set Three
Two Shoes
Manifesto
Hello
The Wine Song
How to Explain
Interview in Xpress Mag
There's an interview with Harry in Xpress Mag, it's from March but appears to have been given before then. It's a nice read:
But we can still make a lot of noise, y'know, some weird beat boxing shit definitely goes on! Jumps (aka Jamshid Khadiwala), he's our keys man, and he makes some amazing sounds. You're just looking at him thinking 'no one can make these sounds come from just their body', y'know?'
May 12, 2004
Night Cat, Melbourne
Setlist
(This isn't totally accurate... if anyone was there and can fill in the gaps, let me know)
Set One
Feline (not sure if that's what it's called)
Beanni
The Cat Empire (this isn't the name of this song, I'm sure. It's the T-H-E, C-A-T, E-M-P to the I-R-E one)
In My Pocket
Days Like These
The Waltz
Set Two
(This is where things are a bit scratchy)
The Rhythm
The Lullaby
The Chariot
Set Three
Two Shoes
Manifesto
Hello
The Wine Song
How to Explain
Bennetts Lane, Melbourne 11th May 2004 - Review
Sometimes it's not about having a 15,000 strong crowd. Sometimes, it's not about having a hundred screaming girls in the front row. Sometimes, it's not about how many guest artists, flamenco dancers or robotic dogs you have.
Sometimes, it's all about getting back to basics.
The Cat Empire took the 250-odd people lucky enough to get a ticket to Bennetts Lane Jazz Club last night (Tuesday, 11th May) back to a time when crowds were small and jammin with mates was the most important thing.
On a small stage, the boys looked tired, but up for a big night. Ollie seated behind a beautiful black grand piano was right at home. His solos featured all night, and (as usual) had true Ollie flair and incredible technique.
Ryan, Jumps, Will and Felix (on Congas and Bongos rather than Timbales) all gave it everything, but the night belonged to Harry - he didn't stop all night! If he wasn't blowing his horn, he was singing (including a sensational beat box solo in 'In my Pocket') or just keeping the crowd laughing all night. There are a million clichés that could go here about Harry, but you get the drift.
It was a night for new songs and tracks that you don't hear often (no Hello or The Chariot). One of the highlights of the night was a new track written by Felix called The Miserere. Slowing the tempo down, the crowd were left speechless by it. Not only can the boy write a melody, but the intricacy and simplicity (if that makes sense) of his lyrics is beautiful.
While I doubt this was their best ever gig, it was certainly right for venue, the crowd and the jazz festival vibe.
Sometimes, you just feel lucky to be in the right place at the right time!
Setlist
The Sun
The Rhythm
Days Like These
All That Talking
The Lullaby
In My Pocket
The Miserere
How to Explain
Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
The Night that Never Ends
Live @ Adelphia
This album had two pressings: an inital "official" pressing of 100, in a full-height jewel case, and a second pressing of 100 made by the band themselves, in a slimline CD case.
Tracklisting
We have mp3 samples for all songs on Live @ Adelphia.
- The Conspiracy 3:09 (mp3 sample)
- Hchello 5:42 (mp3 sample)
- Wandering 5:19 (mp3 sample)
- The Lost Song 5:31 (mp3 sample)
- No Sense 6:10 (mp3 sample)
- The Sun 17:06 (mp3 sample)
- (hidden track on The Sun: Song For The Day)
Scans
May 11, 2004
Bennett's Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne
from the official website:
The Cat Empire doing it 'jaaazzzzzzzzzz' style for The Melbourne International Jazz Festival.Doors open at 8.00pm
Tiks from www.bennettslane.com
Setlist
The Sun
The Rhythm
Days Like These
All That Talking
The Lullaby
In My Pocket
The Miserere
How to Explain
Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
The Night that Never Ends
The Chariot single released
As promised, the next single, The Chariot has been released in Australia. It is available as cheaply as $2.99 (seen at Virgin in Sydney, at least), so this is an absolute steal. Our discography entry for The Chariot has scans of the cover and CD, and mp3 samples of all the tracks. Check it out!
Bennetts Lane, Melbourne
Setlist
The Sun
The Rhythm
Days Like These
All That Talking
The Lullaby
In My Pocket
The Miserere
How to Explain
Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
The Night that Never Ends
Review: http://www.thecatempire.info/catalley/blog/archives/news/000221_bennetts_lane_melbourne_11th_may_2004_review.php
May 10, 2004
Dizzy's, Melbourne
From the official website:
The Jazz Cat REVIVAL gig. All the old crew come together for a night of music from where The Cat Empire was inspired.Doors open at 8.0pm
Tiks through Dizzys 9428 1233 from 28/04 Or drop in to 90 Swan st, Richmond to pick some up VERY limited number - will sell very quickly
Click Here for a review from Melbourne newspaper The Age
Fan site promotion cards
Thanks to everyone who's involved, the site's coming along nicely. Now that a lot of the initial work has been done (getting lyrics etc together) it will all just flow...
If you'd like to help get the word out, I've made some little promo cards:
There is also an A4 page PDF to make it easy to print well.
If you're going to a TCE event, or anywhere else you think it would be appropriate to leave a few of these, feel free to print them out (on paper, or preferably thick paper or card), cut them up, and do what you like with them. Since they're black and white, photocopying on card should work well.
Needless to say they are perfect for collecting autographs on the back of! And if you're lucky enough for that to happen, gloat about it in the forums!
ABC FNQ story
Here's a ABC Far North QLD story about the Cat Empire, mostly just a brief summary and a photo. The writer has obviously been to one of their shows:
Even at the end of a three month tour, the Cat Empire blew away the audience at two sold out shows in Cairns ? turning 3 minute radio singles into half hour musical journeys ? and gained a whole group of new fans in the process.
May 08, 2004
mp3 samples for Tapes, Breaks and Outtakes
I've added mp3 samples for all the songs on the live album, Tapes, Breaks and Outtakes. This album is still available directly from the official Cat Empire site. Check out the samples and decide for yourself whether you should get a dose of live CE to listen to whenever you like.
May 07, 2004
Flyer for the Long Weekend Sydney tour
I've scanned a flyer for the upcoming Long Weekend With The Cat Empire tour, which includes four gigs over the June long weekend. See the gigography for dates and details, and read on for the pictures.
You can leave your hat on
Fans of Felix may appreciate this only partially clothed picture of the man himself in The Age.
May 06, 2004
Welcome to our new contributors
I'd like to extend a welcome to the fans who have volunteered to help with content for this site. They (nicole, Flecktone, beanni, orangejimmy) are the start of a group that will be entirely responsible for keeping www.thecatempire.info interesting and up-to-date. This includes adding and checking lyrics and gig intofrmation, as well as adding Cat Empire news.
Look out for their posts on the front page, as well as their regular presence in the forums. If you'd like to help too, the forums is the place to start.
The Kitten Empire
I've taken a few of the photos from the old Jazz Cats site. For posterity, you understand. Pictures of your favourite kittens are below.
Pictures from the Metropolis studio
Here are some more pictures, found at Metropolis. Just a couple of shots, but they're excellent.
Wanted to Write a Love Song
(Submitted by Claire and Casey in the forums)
Sun slink down say,
Oh such a sexy time of day.
For those who call it romance
Haven't learnt bout the
Nature of those rays?
They put some warmth in your spirit
And a twinkle in your step,
When you sing there's an angel,
But your devil has been kept
For these nights where the sun still shine
Long after it has set.
Manic, magic, mayhem, mr might be moving massive your desire,
She shot the two tequilas wipes her lip
And starts a beaming behind that savage smile.
I wanted to write a love song eh,
But the night time sun said it's time for play.
If these two eyes could make a sound
Then this is what they'd say...
Dream-like moments find us
With a flash they Blind us shining feline tears.
They touch you where it's soft
Then make us mad with that music spear.
We cry tonight if it did end us
We'd have laughed ourselves to death,
Then our souls would find that shakedown
Find that heaven in our chest,
In these nights where the sun still shine
Long after it has set.
Looking, listening, lunaticing, loving, living, lusting it's divine,
We saw the sign it said a boom shak
From the window in the sky.
I wanted to write a love song eh,
But the night time sun said it's time for play.
If these two eyes could make a sound
Then this is what they'd say...
I wanted to write a love song eh,
But the night time sun said it's time for play.
If these two eyes could make a sound
Then this is what they'd say...
THE CAT EMPIRE!
(I wanted to write a love song eh
But it happened the other way...
I wanted to write a love song eh
But it happened the other way...
I wanted to write a love song eh
But it happened the other way...
I wanted to write a love song eh
But it happened the other way...
I wanted to write a love song eh
But it happened the other way...)
Wandering
(Submitted by Casey in the forums)
Well they say and they say
And they say this is home but we've been wandering round here too long
With no direction to go
Walking and wandering and wondering why
the time goes slow
Walking and wandering with half-closed eyes
the time is a-wandering by
Woah, wandering
Walking round in No Man's Land
Time rolls on
This time we're spending time on wandering
Walking round in No Man's Land
Time rolls on
Oh, this time we're spending time on
And today and today
is a day going on
for over two hundred years of being lost
two hundred years too long
Walking and wandering and wondering why
The time goes slow
Walking and wandering with half-closed eyes
The time is a-wandering by
Woah, wandering
Walking round in No Man's Land
Time rolls on
This time we're spending time on wandering
Walking round in No Man's Land
Time rolls on
Oh, this time we're spending time on
And today and today
is a day going on
for over two hundred years of being lost
two hundred years too long
Walking and wandering and wondering why
The time goes slow
Walking and wandering with half-closed eyes
The time is a-wandering by
May 05, 2004
Rhyme and Reason
(Submitted by beanni from the forums)
Rhyme and reason
Reason and rhyme
We asked the old man
“What is the time?”
The time he said
“I do not know.
The clock stopped working some time ago”
“What a disaster” was our reply
“We don’t know if it’s 1 o’clock or half past 5”
The man kept talking things were fine
Looking at the sun he said
The time was for reason and rhyming
Reason and rhyme
Rhyme and reason
We asked the old lady “What is this season?”
The season she said
“You can’t be sure.
The weathers changed, can’t tell you any more”
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god what a thing!
We don’t know if it’s summer, autumn, winter or spring”
“But wait,” she said
“This might be pleasing.
The time has come for rhyming and rhyming and reason”
Rhyme and reason and destination
We ask ourselves, what is this nation?
This place they say is no mans land
And terra nullius is written in the sand
So what
With all these spaces
Can’t we be independent and combine the races
Well we will see what we can do
Like time and season
We’ll rhyme and then we’ll reason along
The Sun
(Submitted by beanni from the forums)
Oh this man he wakes up in the morning
Don't know where
His eyes do squint
The sun does glare
Stands up yawns
Does stretch his limbs
Turns his face to the sun
And begins to sing
Seen many places
Done many things
I've been drinking from the earth
I've see the world from within
Had my share of women
And I've had my share of fights
I've been searching for the moon
I've seen some long long nights
Shook too many hands
And I made too many bets
My friends are all gypsies
And I laughed before I wept
I learnt how to live when I saw that sunrise
And now I sing this song about looking on my life
Some say you should try to be rich man
Some they say you should be number one
But my wealth will be inside
And will grow under the sun
After hearing this song
I feel some warmth on my face
I look into the sky
And start to feel a sense of place
This mans song means something to me
My eyes they do open
And I sing this melody
Might write some mystery
Might read some text
Might create a family
This world I might affect
Might be a wise man
Might be a fool
Be conquering like a tiger
Or suffer like a mule
Might learn too late
But might drift in sleep
Might learn how to hide my thoughts
And promises to keep
All these things my life might see
And now I be singing about how my life might be and
Some say you should try to be rich man
Some they say you should be number one
But my wealth will be inside
And will grow under the sun
After hearing this song I feel some warmth on my face
I look into the sky and start to feel a sense of place
This mans song means something to me
My eyes do open and I sing this melody
Might write some mystery
Might read some text
Might create a family
This world I might affect
Might be a wise man
Might be a fool
Be conquering like a tiger
Or suffer like a mule
Might learn too late
But might drift in sleep
Might learn how to hide my thoughts
And promises to keep
All these things my life might see
And now I be singing about how my life might be and
Some say you should try to be rich man
Some they say you should be number one
But my wealth will be inside
And will grow under the sun
Photos from the Metro Theatre April 21st 2004
I've posted some photos from the recent JJJ Unearthed gig at the Metro Theatre, Sydney. They're not great, but there's some nice Cat Empire moments. They're posted below...
Photos taken by Casey. Gig information is here