October 21, 2005
TCE Caption Contest: Volume 3
This competition is going off the rails with other forum members now putting in their votes as to who they think should be the almighty caption contest winner. This new democracy has seen two more victors in recent times:
Ollie: Turn the lights back on bitch I can't see the keys
Harry: Hahahaha I'm drunk again
(Andy C is back, with nothing but Dave Chappell and alcohol on the mind)
Julie steps forward to offer consolation, after an unfortunate Trombone accident relegates Kieran to vocal duties.
(Brendo_91 has left us wondering if the Kieran obsession will never end..)
Keep an eye on this thread to find out what the next image will be!
TCE Fourth Single?
Digging around the shadier corners of the internet, forum members have found the cover for the next TCE single. Contrary to popular belief, it looks like it will be The Lullaby:
All the details when they come to light.
October 19, 2005
More Fan Art: The Neko Empire
Props to cats_rox for this manga-inspired sketch, check it out:
North American Reviews and Photos
The recently-completed North American tour has attracted some more visitors to dot-info, welcome to you all! There have been great stories emerging from the gigs. The locations change, but the stories coming out of newly-converted fans remain the same. There's a review from the Opera House by col_do:
"How are they gonna keep up this pace?" Over an hour later they were still going and I was in shock. The energy level was great.
There were two reports from Montreal, including some excellent photos here, including this fantastic one of Ryan:
And a report from Vancouver, here.
The TCE buzz seems to have no limit, selling out shows in countries they've never released CDs in. Look forward to them playing packed shows in the Mos Eisley Cantina next!
October 18, 2005
TCE Fan Art
Here at dot-info we recently had a competition that got the creative juices of TCE fans flowing. That's over, but the flow of fan art doesn't stop. I thought that Takila's recent post needed some attention:
Rock on!
October 15, 2005
Richard's on Richards, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Setlist
Sumitted by kittenjunkie:
How To Explain
Days Like These
The Crowd
Hello
The Rhythm
Sly
Nothing
The Car Song
In My Pocket
Lullaby
Two Shoes
encores:
Sol Y Sombra
The Chariot
Review
For details, discussion and photos from this gig, see this thread in the forums.
Two Shoes DVD available online
Two Shoes (the album) has been re-released as a special edition, including a DVD with video clips and behind-the-scenes footage. But what about all of us that have already got the CD? Fear not! You can buy the DVD by itself from the Cat Empire shop for the bargain price of $9.95 plus shipping. Nice! The full range of TCE merch is there too, if you haven't checked it out.
October 14, 2005
Cafe Campus, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Review
For discussion and photos from this gig, see this thread in the forums.
October 13, 2005
The Opera House, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Review
Sumitted by col_do in the forums:
How do Canadians get to know the Cat Empire you might ask? Well, believe it or not, we actually leave our country from time to time! In my case, my girlfriend's sister's boyfriend spent a month in Australia and came back with a burnt CD. He said: "Mike...you won't believe this band man." I said: "Leave the disc dude, I'll check them out when I have time." I was going to Detroit to do some CD shopping, and was choosing some traveling music, so I decided to bring this Cat Empire CD. I was floored. They play crazy music that is a blend of Klezmer, reggae, ska, improv, etc...ad nauseum. Bottom line is, it's good.
After I got home, I ordered the CD. I had to support this kind of music. Plus, even with shipping to Canada, it wasn't a bad price. It usually finds its way into my carrying case every month, which is pretty good considering I've had it since February 2005.
Onto the concert. It was my first show at the Opera House, so I can't compare to tell you if it was uber packed or not, but there appeared to be a pretty big crowd. They started out with that nice little waltz tune that they do, I really dig the trumpet player's voice. It ended pretty big and I said to myself: "How are they gonna keep up this pace?" Over an hour later they were still going and I was in shock. The energy level was great.
I could go on about the show itself, but really, it was amazing. I'm not sure what else to say. As a musician I can say that I was really impressed with how much the band members have grown musically in between the albums. The piano player just about bowled me over. I couldn't believe it was the same guy. Not that he was bad on the first album, but he has really improved. Awesome voicings, great sense of time, and interesting solos that actually build. He was impressive.
The trumpet player did some great stuff with his voice. The double and triple tonguing during his vocal solos was cool, and his trumpet solos had a lot of energy. It was nice to see the bass player switch it up, and everyone else in the band just did a great job.
The show was fantastic, and I'm waiting to see their impressions of Canada on their tour diary.
October 12, 2005
October 11, 2005
TCE Caption Contest Rolls On
The caption contest has become a booming concept with two new winners over the past few weeks:
"I Swear Its True! Kieran was up on stage and he got it stuck in here just like this!"
(Membrillo stays true to the Kieran theme)
"Felix the cat scratching post."
(ahhhri with a lil help from Hammy just had to make a cat joke)
Congratulations to the two and a half winners there. This is the next picture waiting to be captioned:
Head down to this thread to give your input!
October 10, 2005
Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
October 09, 2005
Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
October 08, 2005
October 07, 2005
Two Shoes Single
Just a reminder that the Two Shoes single was released on Monday 3rd October. It contains the radio edit of Two Shoes as well as a revamped version of 'Rhyme and Reason' and an extended version of Sol Y Sombra complete with added authentic Cuban percussion not to be heard on any other release.
Last week, it was named in the Herald Sun as one of the most added songs to commercial radio playlists which should hopefully equate to many single sales. It can be bought from all good CD stores around the country.
October 06, 2005
October 05, 2005
October 03, 2005
Interview with Felix
Head honcho of thecatempire.info, Casey, was given the opportunity to interview Felix about the latest album Two Shoes the album, and Two Shoes their latest single. Members from the forums assisted Casey with the questions, with Felix giving some comprehensive answers.
1) Believe it or not boxing was a good parallel to rhythm in the early days, and i used to train 5 days a week then go and play at this bar when i was teenager. Also, i wanted an excuse to mess around in the ring again, and if there wasn't some action in the clip it would look dangerously like a commercial for aftershave.
2) All the random characters are friends or people we have worked with over the last three and a half years.
3) There are elements within the clip that reflect certain elements of the music. The dancers [hip-hop vs flamenco], the flame juggler/sideshow performer.
Many thanks to Felix (and the rest of TCE) for taking time out of his hectic U.S tour schedule to answer those questions.
Two Shoes Interview with Felix!
With the help of forum members, I pulled together a few questions to ask Felix about Two Shoes and the single that is about to be released. Felix has taken time out of his busy schedule and has sent back some replies from the USA. There's lots of interesting info in here! And thanks again to the band (and management) for letting us do this.
Casey: Hi Felix, thanks for taking the time to talk to us here at TCE.info! You must be enjoying your time at home before the next tours (USA and then Australia) - how are you spending your time?
Felix: It's been lovely to have some time in Melbourne again. It's something like catching up with all the things you've thought and seen while on the road in
the previous expeditions. I've had the chance to write some songs, and start some short stories that popped up. Also, my little sister and my mum are back from Austria after a year and a half, so it was good to catch up with the family again. I put a matress under the family piano and slept there for a week.
Casey: The next single, Two Shoes, is about to be released. Can you tell us a little about the video clip? Is there anything that we should look out for particularly in the video?
Felix: The clip was written and shot with a one week turn around before we did our last Europe/UK stint, and it references a lot of people and things that have been part of the history and music so far. Also, it was good to do something that had a slower more moody feeling to it. Things to look out for:
1) Believe it or not boxing was a good parallel to rhythm in the early days, and i used to train 5 days a week then go and play at this bar when i was teenager. Also, i wanted an excuse to mess around in the ring again, and if there wasn't some action in the clip it would look dangerously like a commercial for aftershave.
2) All the random characters are friends or people we have worked with over the last three and a half years.
3) There are elements within the clip that reflect certain elements of the music. The dancers [hip-hop vs flamenco], the flame juggler/sideshow performer.
Casey: Two Shoes is a song that's been with the band a long time (how long?), although wasn't really released until the most recent album. Have your feelings about the song changed over the years?
Felix: It was written in 2001. It's changed tempo, and the arrrangement has taken form. Also, the song has settled down and become more finished. I think the middle section and the end horn line wraps it up. My feelings towards the music has changed over the years and some songs i feel are outdated in comparison to where the band is at now, but this song - even though the lyrics are very basic - has maintained a strength over the years.
Casey: The song's chorus talk about the "Bobby Marley legacy". What do you think of as his legacy? What do you think will be the "Cat Empire legacy" in years to come?
Felix: Ha! Actually that line comes from various Bob Marley lyrics where he goes on about bare feet and freedom. I also liked the word legacy because it's a
bit like 'legs' and legs are attached to feet. That line 'my feet are my only carriage' is also a good one, because i love travelling and moving through the world finding a few stories to give my grandchildren. I like Bob Marley because his songs are still being sung by people, and that is something a great song does. I would like to write some songs that people can sing and enjoy for a long time, and in terms of a TCE legacy, perhaps it's a subtle one that comes to life in those people who find it.
Casey: You guys spend a lot of your time on the road, and you're famous for your live shows. What are the chances of seeing a CD (or DVD) of live recordings, either a single concert or a collection?
Felix: Definitely. It's gotta happen. There's so much stuff that isn't expressed on the current albums that we've got on all the gigs we've recorded so far and in the future. And hopefully it's going to be something entirely
unique.
Casey: Finally, what band's version of "Two Shoes" would you most like to hear, and why?
Felix: I think the most recent version is the best one. It came to life in Cuba, and i think it's one of the stand outs on the record. Though I don't really
listen to the recordings much. I think which ever one you guys like is fine with me.