March 31, 2005
Behind the scenes on the Sly single
The Sly single was launched at the beginning of this week; I thought I would take the time to go through some of the names of the people, outside the band, who are credited in the recording.
Jerry Boys produced, engineered, and mixed the two tracks that were recorded at Estudio 101, Egrem Studios in Cuba. Who's he? He is co-owner of Livingston Studios in London, where the tracks were mixed (interview here). He's been involved with a band or two in his time - see here for a bit of a list - including The Beatles, Bjork, REM, and Beuna Vista Social Club.
Buena Vista Social Club is a name that crops up again and again in this context - they recorded at Egrem (here is Jerry Boys talking about that) and Ry Cooder worked with Jerry Boys as well. Also, some of the musicians from the world-famous Cuban group turn up on The Sly as well:
Jesus Ramos "Aguaje" is the trombonist and conductor of the Buena Vista Social Orchestra. There's a low-quality photo of him here.
Yaure Muniz (incorrectly called Yauren on the Sly single) is a trumpeter and member of the Afro-Cuban All Stars (with Ruben Gonzalez) and played on The Buena Vista Social Club: The Next Generation.
Javier R Zalba Juarez has more to recomend him than an excellent name. He is a Buena Vista saxophonist, and has recorded on various Buena Vista albums (recorded by Jerry Boys) playing soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones.
So there's some star-power behind the scenes, and lots of good material for new (think: international) audiences to latch on to and link TCE with the recent success of Buena Vista Social Club. This kind of production - internationally-renowned producer and engineer, famous studio and famouse guest artists - really makes it obvious that the band wants to make a big splash overseas with this CD.
March 30, 2005
Two Shoes tracklisting online!
The Two Shoes album is now in the discography, complete with cover art and a tracklisting. Neither are confirmed, but forum-goers have spotted them on music websites.
Two Shoes tracklisting online!
The Two Shoes album is now in the discography, complete with cover art and a tracklisting. Neither are confirmed, but forum-goers have spotted them on music websites.
Two Shoes
The second offical studio album, recorded in Cuba.
Cover Art
Tracklisting
1. Sly
2. In My Pocket
3. Lullaby
4. The Car Song
5. Two Shoes
6. Miserere
7. Sol Y Sombra
8. Party Started
9. Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
10. Salt Water
11. The Night That Never Ends
March 28, 2005
Byron Bay - Blues & Roots Festival
Review
For details of this performance, see this thread in the forums.
March 23, 2005
Fremantle Arts Centre Gig Reviewed
Thanks to Cubed64 from the forums, there's now a review online from the Fremantle Arts Centre gig. Sounds like a blast, they're putting on as big a show as ever.
During the break section of the chariot (usually where you hear the pan flute on the recorded version) the band was doing an instumental and everyone had a shot, but then ryan slides onto centrestage with his white bass guitar. The Band goes almost slient (will and jumps providing some beat) and then BOOM!!!!, ryan blasts the audience with a bass line.
March 21, 2005
Two Shoes cover art found!
It seems our recent speculation was right! The album cover art for "Two Shoes" can be found over on the MusicHead site, but to save you the trouble:
The album name is not nearly as prominent as the band name - maybe it's because this will be the launch CD for "the rest of the world"? Anyway, the Cuban theme continues, and we can only imagine what the music will be like...
March 19, 2005
HMV In-Store Performances, Album Cover Leak?
As spotted by Andy in the forums, The Cat Empire will be making some in-store appearances at HMV stores in Brisbane and Sydney (check that link for dates).
There's a little more info to be gleaned from these events. First, there's the image shown next to the event listing:
Is this the first (and very small) sighting of the album cover? Second, it's worth noting that the performances are at HMV stores. Previously, during their contract with Virgin, the in-stores were at Virgin Megastores (Melbourne, Sydney). I can't find any details about exactly who their new contract is with, but it looks like it's not Virgin anymore.
And some bonus news: there's a competition at Musichead to win two TCE towels - you'll know already if you want them, so get in there!
March 18, 2005
Freemantle Arts Centre
Review
Reviewed by Cubed64:
the excitment was already building in me as i waited eagerly out the front of the gates of the arts centre. Myself and my two friends (stacey and david) had arrived early (5:15ish) so we could get a good spot in the line. when we arrived there was already a few people there, so i took the spot in line while stace and dave went to find food. I chatted to a few of the other people there until, to my extreme surprise and delight, a bunch of people walked out the front gate .... i recognised them immediatley and almost screamed. It was the cat empire (with the horns) minus harry, felix and ryan.
I wanted to get a photo, but i was far to dumbstruck to act, this being my first gig and all. As they walked away i saw someone running to the gate catching up with them, it was ryan. As he came out of the gate i said a friendly 'hey ryan' and he replied 'hi, hows it going'. w00t, there is my brush with fame.
We entered the venue at about 6:10 and we got our seats on some steps about 30 meters away from the stage. We waited there until the support band (Dave hill collaboration ... i think, something like that) came out. they weren't too bad, rather nice music, the lead signer played the acoustic guitar.
this continued until 7:30 when he played his last song and the band walked off stage. The excitment grew, and people started milling around the stage, so i followed and got a nice position, dead centre, about 10 meters from the stage.
8:00 came and by this time everyone was standing and crowding around the stage, what was a field filled with people sitting on blankets and chairs was now a field of excited fans ready to burst.
The lights fell, and the crowd erupted. The Cats and Horns came onto the stage and took their positions.
'wow, a few minutes ago, this was a pinic' said felix, then he raised his arm and brought it down, and the band responed with a blast of music.
after the general introdcutions, they started to play, here is the playlist (roughly)
Intro (a new one)
Hello
Sol y Somba
Saltwater (another new one)
How to explain
The Car Song
Days Like these
Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
Dumb things (paul kelly tribute)
Two Shoes
The Sly
Encore: The Chariot.
The band was full of energy, and the new intro was great .. jumps livened things up a bit in his intro. Felx said 'heres jumpshady!' and jumps went psycho, busting out crazy dancemoves ... it was great, the crowd loved it.
Hello was a familiar song to everyone, so we all sang along and screamed 'HCCHELLO HCCHELLO' when felix held the mic out to the crowd.
Sol y Somba was a newy to me, and im pretty sure to everyone else, so we all danced along and had a good time, same with saltwater (harry sings that song).
The crowd chanted 'Music is the language of us all' during How to Explain, and the horns did their solo section in this song ... very similar to the Bonus CD that came with the DVD, and it was twice as sexy hearing it in real life.
The Car song was great, harry did a excellent job singing it.
Everyone knew 'Days like these' really well, and everyone cheered to 'Harrys night time rhyme' and laughed at Ollies Mexican voice, me included, it was great.
At about 9:10, felix remarked 'well, cos its early in the tour, we have a lot more energy that we usually do', to which the crowd replied : 'WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!'
Protons, Neutrons, Electrons is a great song, a lot slower than the others that they were busting out, but i found that it wasnt as dance friendly as the others, but hey, thats just me. its a very addictive song though ... very addictive.
The crowd loved 'dumb things', they were all bopping along rather happily.
Two Shoes was where harry did the ritual 'i say something, you say something back' exchange with the crowd.
harry: 'la la la lo lah'
crowd: 'la la la lo lah'
harry: 'le le le la le'
crowd: 'le le le la le'
harry: 'la la lah lah ale le la aoshgoarshrgoehrgonergnqrelgnlrweqfnl qwjrfojr oejrg oijergreogj oefwanvoanergogorwegoreg'
crowd: 'ummmm .......... faowghroweaihgoerwhnpeioruth poweurt ouweto werpoherwotgowert'
that was great.
At 9:30 felix said: 'ok, we got time for one more song' and we all said 'awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww' and felix new it. 'oh' he said ... then he kept going with the thanks to everyone and thanks to triple J and to the sound and light guys etc etc etc.
Before they played sly, the did an intro from an old song, i cant remember the name but i knew the lyrics (it goes: 'just a little bit ... just a little bit .. just a little bit') then they broke out The Sly. It was great, i did the 'Louie', the 'Jinnie', the 'Boomshack', 'Monkey Shuffle' and the 'Late Checkout' .. but i was sad to see no one else was doing it ... meh, their loss.
The band finished up and the crowd cheered them off the stage ... but as they left i noticed that it was only 9:40 .... which was odd, i also noticed that there was no backup music coming on. finally i realised that they were coming back on .. we just needed to cheer.
Felix jumps back on stage and the crowd loves it. 'ok .. ok .. ok, one more song' and then the intro to chariot starts ... harry and jumps do a great job, it sounded a lot better than the actual recorded song.
Now for the Highlights:
1) saying hi to ryan before the show
2) harry and ross did a duet trumpet battle ... it was nice
3) Ollies solos .... all 4 of them.
4) Wills solo ... he went nuts. have you seen the 'spinal tap' episode of the simpsons where bart goes to the concert and the drummer is smashing everything while the devil thing is falling on top of him ... wills solo was like that .. but better.
5) The empire horns 'how to explain' solo's. so much better in real life.
6) Jumps and Felix dancing.
7) Harry's beatboxing ... he just wouldnt stop.
however the main highlight, and the solo of the night belongs to Ryan. During the break section of the chariot (usually where you hear the pan flute on the recorded version) the band was doing an instumental and everyone had a shot, but then ryan slides onto centrestage with his white bass guitar. The Band goes almost slient (will and jumps providing some beat) and then BOOM!!!!, ryan blasts the audience with a bass line. The sound guys must have cranked the bass and volume on the speakers, because that sound shot straight through everyone. The crowd felt slient because if they are anything like me, the felt their heart skip a beat. Then ryans bursts into a solo that is truly 'earth shaking', literally .. i could feel the ground moving.
It was an excellent show, absolutley wonderful ... next time around ill be catching all of their shows in the West.
March 17, 2005
March 15, 2005
JJJ Live at the Wireless Review online
It's been a busy 24 hours for TCE fans in their home city - last night was the JJJ Live at the Wireless gig at the Prince of Wales (click that link for a review, or see the forums for more discussion), and then today was the filming of another video clip.
A number of the dot-info posse were there, including the indefatigable hornitas, and helped fill up the backgrounds for the clip for... The Car Song! Confidentiality agreements seem to be stopping many more leaks, but all over it seems that it was just like every other filming session ever: that is, long, tiring, repetitive, but ultimately worthwhile. We'll all be able to see the fruits of their labours (and maybe a recognisable head or two?) in the future.... but when? Who knows.
March 14, 2005
Prince of Wales (JJJ Live at the Wireless Gig)
Review
provided by "Cat" in the forums (click here for more discussion)
I am afraid I have a memory like a sieve, so I cannot give you tracklists or anything fancy like that, but I will tell you what I can.
The Cat Empire came on stage at around 9.05, together with the Empire Horns, and the first tune as far as I can remember was Two Shoes. The boys seemed like they were on their best behaviour as they were being recorded for Live at the Wireless. Felix said they would be doing mostly their new stuff, so we got a taste of things to come off their new album. I think it is always difficult to give impressions when you hear something for the first time…but there seemed to be some great tunes in there. The only tune of their old album they played was The Chariot. They were in fine dancing form, and during Sly the girl who features in the film clip (is it Felix’s girlfriend?) popped onto the stage to boogie with the boys for just a minute, but left before the end of the song.
Following the end of their set, they thanked JJJ etc, exited the stage, and the crowd kept applauding, whistling etc. They returned, I thought that we would be lucky enough to get an encore or two, but Felix announced that the past hour had been performed by them as if they were being recorded, and they would spend time now just “f***ing around, and playing more stuff from the new album”.
This is when things started getting more interesting. I am not one who has been to many TCE gigs, but the boys seemed really happy to be there…dancing, Harry jumping around and getting into it, and the music too, was brilliant. Those guys are truly amazing, and I really think that Ollie shone last night on keyboard. As well as new stuff, they played The Rhythm and Paul Kelly’s Dumb Things.
All in all, it was a great night. There were a few disappointments for me – one is purely personal, in that I would have loved to have a few more of their old songs played. I understand that this night was to showcase their new stuff, but there is nothing like being able to sing along. Secondly, I was disappointed with the crowd. At a gig like the St Kilda Festival I understand if everyone is just standing around, not moving, not really getting into it – they probably weren’t fans to begin with. But in a smaller venue, with people who you would hope are fans, how could you not have a good time? There was only a small group of people who were doing any more than just moving their shoulders a little bit, and I am proud to say that my sister and I were two of them! These people must be near corpses if The Cat Empire did not get them moving! I think they finished playing at around 10.50pm.
For more discussion, see this thread in the forums.
Be In The Next Next Video Clip
Even though the next video clip is being filmed tomorrow (Tuesday, in Melbourne), there is a Telstra Blue Lounge competition to visit the making of the next next film clip! Entries are open until April 6 for a VIP package (the date of the filming is unspecified):
- Limo transfers to the set
- Seating in directors chairs to watch the filming
- A one-on-one meeting with the band
- A tour of the set
- A review of the video treatment with the producers
- An autographed copy of The Cat Empire’s new CD album ‘Two Shoes’ and the opportunity to take pictures on set.
Who knows, you might even get the chance to appear in The Cat Empire’s next video clip as an extra.
The competition entry is pretty straightforward, so get over there and win yourself some luxury!
March 13, 2005
March 12, 2005
Be part of the next video clip!
This is huge news - TCE are filming their next video clip, and are inviting you to be a part of it! I was sent an email from TCE admin, saying that they "hought that you and your close circle of incredibly enthusiastic TCE fans might be interested". You can say that again! Details:
Hey everyoneThis is your chance to feature in our next film clip.
The Cat Empire will be shooting a clip for the 2nd Australian single from
Two Shoes on Tuesday 15th March near Melbourne.If you and a friend are interested in being part of a live basket ball
stadium audience please register using this link:http://www.thecatempire.com/content/streetteam_reg.asp
This invitation is open to ALL ages!
Full details provided Monday afternoon (14th March).
What we can tell you now is that you'll need to arrive at 9.30am at
the Darebin Urban Community Sports Centre, 853 Plenty Road, Darebin.Wear bright colours and bring black and white banners, pom-poms and items
as if you were barraking for your favourite team The Cat Empire!
If you're in Melbourne, or can get to Melbourne, then this is your big chance!
UPDATE: the venue has changed to Footscray, see the forums or check your email for the details.
March 11, 2005
March 07, 2005
Watch the Sly Video Clip online
Rage showed The Sly late at night this last weekend, but if you missed it or just want to watch it one more time, it's also available online from the ABC Broadband site. It's part of the Rage program (in Real Media or Windows Media Player), and you can skip through the clips to get to it - it was number four when I watched, after Natalie Imbruglia.
The clip looks really slick, much more like the old clips than the computer-generated effort that was 1-4-5, and the aesthetic really matches the song. Looks like a winner all round. Now excuse me, I'm off to do the mud shuffle...