The Cat Empire began as a trio with McGill, Riebl, and Monro in late 1999, and started playing a wide variety of gigs in Melbourne. The band soon expanded in 2001, adding Angus, Hull-Brown, and Khadiwala.
THE Cat Empire's message, on stage and in the studio, has always been about breaking down borders: musical, geographic, lingual. But they have never done it so powerfully as they do on their new album, Cinema. The album serves up a set which captures the inexorable force - and sheer joy - of their live performances, delivered in a format perfect for lounge-rooms, backyards, BBQ’s, cafes, road trips and parties all over the world.
Cinema, the band's fourth studio album, is a dazzling statement of a band at a peak of its powers, music designed to move the body and the mind. Right from the opening track, Waiting, this is music that leaps from the speakers.
All the elements that people love about The Cat Empire are there but the result is brighter, bolder. And yes, more cinematic. What grabs the ear immediately is that this is not a band playing with genres. In the past, The Cat Empire dived in to any musical style which took their fancy, from reggae to salsa, Latin to hip-hop. Cinema reveals a band that has developed an emphatic voice that is all their own.
``That's a sound that has emerged out of nearly 10 years of playing on stage together,'' says singer and percussionist Felix Riebl. ”The result is an album that's much more integrated than anything we've done before, with a Cat Empire sound that runs consistently through it. The lyrics are perhaps darker, but they are accompanied by music that is uplifting which gives it a strange but powerful feeling.''
Riebl adds: “At times the album is thoughtful, at times it makes you just forget and dance. But it is an album that has more sonic depth than we've ever had before, experimental in parts but with really direct choruses. It's going to be a great album to play live, especially on big stages and at festivals.''
Of course, the stage is never far from the thoughts of this band. In an age when so much of selling music seems to be about celebrity and fashion, The Cat Empire have risen to be one of Australia and indeed the worlds favourite live acts through sheer musicality and the power of their interaction on stage. The band - Riebl, Vocalist and trumpeter Harry Angus, keys player Ollie McGill, bassist Ryan Monro, drummer Will Hull-Brown and Jamshid Khadiwala (aka ‘Jumps’) on decks - played their 700th show in Amsterdam last year, and will hit the 800 mark in 2010. While it is not well known in Australia, The Cat Empire are one of the country's most successful musical exports, doubling their audience numbers at every return stop.
They have headlined some of the world's biggest music festivals, including Summersonic (Japan), Rock am Ring (Germany) and V Fest (UK), playing Bonnaroo (US) as well as to an audience of 300,000 at the Montreal Jazz Festival. They have also played on some of world's highest rating entertainment shows, including Dave Letterman and Jay Leno. This year their worldwide tour in support of the international release of Cinema will see them return to Canada, US, Europe, Japan and the UK, where they will play to a full house at London's Brixton Academy.
The knowledge that they would be playing songs from the new album on so many big stages focused the song writing sessions for Cinema. The album was recorded close to home at Sing Sing studios in Melbourne with producer Steve Schram, and he encouraged them to make an album that was their most collaborative song writing effort yet.
``That was a deliberate decision from all of us,'' says the lion of the live show - Vocalist and Trumpeter Harry Angus. ``With six people in the band sometimes there will be a song on an album that not everyone wants to play live. This album certainly gets around that problem. And I think that after so many years playing together the guys are much more confident about contributing to the writing. Steve encouraged us to do that. That's been great for us.''
Of working with The Cat Empire, Schram says “it was the perfect studio scenario; amazing players open to trying anything and willing to take a back seat when required. Egos were left at the door.” He adds “In terms of musicianship, it's no secret that they don't come much better than The Cat Empire. Yet Cinema shows that simplicity and one well placed note packs more of a punch and serves the song far more than musical chops alone. We set out to explore in depth the mood and character of each song while maintaining a focus on performance rather than studio trickery. “
After taking their longest break from studio recording after the release of 2007's So Many Nights, the band reconvened feeling refreshed. ``In 2008 we took a break from touring for 8 months. Then in 2009 we released our (live album) Live on Earth” Riebl says. ``When we came back to the band, and then into the studio we all rediscovered what we loved about The Cat Empire in the first place; that it is a band that can do the unexpected, that we have great energy and make music that is always a lot of fun to play on stage. The feeling right now is just like when we were starting out. We're all very excited about that.''
Cinema will be released ...
JUNE 25, AUSTRALIA
JUNE 29, CANADA
JULY 6, USA
AUGUST 2010, EUROPE & JAPAN
See www.thecatempire.com for tours and information
Days Like These
The Cat Empire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's one thing you can do
You can send us some sun
And we'll play you this tune
Because sitting in our room
Lying down with a scoob
And the sunshine
Through our window
It's days like these
That make us happy
Like a puppy getting lucky
With Lassie hassle-free
Hours passing by
With the beat one two
Said it's days like these kicking back
Just doing what we do
Number one I'd find some
Loving in the sun
With someone that can make me
Growl and hum say hmmm
A boom boom shake
And the beat that she throw at me
Knocking me flat
Number two
I'd cruise where the grass is smooth
And the sound of the sea
Is a dreamy melody
Snooze all afternoon
Till the night time wake me
'Cause shakedown soon
Number three
I'd be dancing like a monkey up a tree
Find sweet simplicity
By kissing my honey
Get funky like Bond
When he's played by Connery
And get crafty
Like Don Corleone
Four
Watching Oliver jam a little more
Remember the night when I saw
What I never never never seen before
Lavender wrestling a rich wild boar
CHORUS
HARRY'S NIGHT TIME RHYME
And dirty hands
I like them see
They make the music that we play
Sound oh so sweet
And my mother always made me eat broccoli
And now look at me
I'm as strong as can be
So put some spice in my sauce
Honey in my tea
An ace up my sleeve
And a slinky plan be
And most importantly
My mad family
They named me lucky
And for that I'll sing about
Days like these
In The Cat Empire's song Days Like These, the lyrics describe the joy of ideal summer days. The singer addresses the gods asking for more sun, as they want to lay back and relax, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine through the window. The singer then talks about three things they would do on a perfect summer day. First, they would find some love in the sun. Second, they would find a peaceful place by the sea, taking a nap for the afternoon until it's time to party at night. Third, the singer would dance like a monkey, finding simplicity in kissing their honey, and craftiness like Don Corleone. The chorus features a night-time beatboxing jam with "dirty hands" providing the drums. The lyrics end with the singer talking about their strong family and singing about days like these.
Line by Line Meaning
To the gods in the sky
Addressing the higher power above
There's one thing you can do
Requesting for a favor
You can send us some sun
Asking for sunlight
And we'll play you this tune
Offering music in return
Because sitting in our room
Describing the setting
Lying down with a scoob
Laying down with a packed bowl of marijuana
And the sunshine
Giving emphasis on the natural light
Through our window
Indicating the source of the light
It's days like these
Referring to the present moment
That make us happy
Expressing joy and contentment
Like a puppy getting lucky
Comparing happiness to the innocence of a puppy
With Lassie hassle-free
Adding a pop culture reference to reinforce the analogy
Hours passing by
Emphasizing the duration of time
With the beat one two
Possibly referring to the rhythm of the song
Said it's days like these kicking back
Reiterating the satisfaction of the moment
Just doing what we do
Being comfortable with the routine
Number one I'd find some
Introducing a list of activities
Loving in the sun
Enjoying the warmth with a significant other
With someone that can make me
Adding a requirement for the partner
Growl and hum say hmmm
Suggesting intimacy in a playful manner
A boom boom shake
Adding more playful innuendo
And the beat that she throw at me
Referring to the rhythm of the encounter
Knocking me flat
Implying the intensity of the experience
Number two
Continuing with the list
I'd cruise where the grass is smooth
Going to a place where the environment is calming
And the sound of the sea
Emphasizing the calming effect
Is a dreamy melody
Adding another sensory layer to the experience
Snooze all afternoon
Taking a nap in the relaxing environment
Till the night time wake me
Waiting until evening before continuing with the day
'Cause shakedown soon
Implying excitement for the upcoming event
Number three
Moving on to the next item
I'd be dancing like a monkey up a tree
Dancing unrestrained and joyfully
Find sweet simplicity
Enjoying the moment without complications
By kissing my honey
Showing affection to a loved one
Get funky like Bond
Feeling cool and confident like James Bond
When he's played by Connery
Including a reference for admiration
And get crafty
Adding playfulness to the experience
Like Don Corleone
Referencing a clever and cunning character
Four
Ending the list
Watching Oliver jam a little more
Enjoying the spontaneity of a performance
Remember the night when I saw
Recalling a past experience
What I never never never seen before
Expressing surprise and awe
Lavender wrestling a rich wild boar
Using an absurd image to reinforce surrealism
And dirty hands
Referring to the calloused hands of working musicians
I like them see
Appreciating the hard work and dedication
They make the music that we play
Attributing the sound to the effort of the artists
Sound oh so sweet
Appreciating the final product
And my mother always made me eat broccoli
Sharing a personal detail
And now look at me
Reflecting on personal growth
I'm as strong as can be
Accentuating current strength and capability
So put some spice in my sauce
Adding flavor to life
Honey in my tea
Continuing with the metaphor
An ace up my sleeve
Feeling prepared for anything
And a slinky plan be
Having a backup plan
And most importantly
Introducing a significant element
My mad family
Expressing love and appreciation for family
They named me lucky
Reveling in the joy of their given name
And for that I'll sing about
Giving credit to their identity
Days like these
Referring to the present moment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: FELIX RIEBL, HENRY ANGUS, OLIVER JAMES MCGILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockyreecey
Whack, beats splat, wake up on the attack
Work myself frantic to the moon and back
Now it's evening and the sausages are frying out back
I write my rhyme for this track, as the skies fade to black
Now I remember earlier in the day
As I was swimming through the bay
A bass player I know swum my way
He said, "G'day, hey, you wanna go see some reggae?
Starts at eight, and plays through to sunrise the next day"
So 9 o'clock sees me heading out towards the tabernacle
Hardcore reggae beat bring me feet out of these shackles
Hardcore reggae DJ, I salute you, crackle, crackle, crackle
Crackle of the vinyl, now I'm high, now a spectacular night ahead
I met a Mexican called Juan
(There's a party on the hill, would you like to come?)
Yeah (And bring a bottle of rum)
Can't afford it, but I bought it
rockyreecey
And then I sung
It's nights like these when you know that you're alive
Nights like these when you know that you got vibe
Nights like these when you don't have to try
Fall in love and kiss and smile from every girl walking by
I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive
And my eyes want to cry 'cause the night and the sky
Is so high and my life is sublime and it's mine and it's time
(It's now time)
Oh, it's nights like these when you know that you're alive
Nights like these when you know that you got vibe
Nights like these when you laugh until you cry
Nights like these when I'm drowning in your eyes
(I feel like I've been living)
Nights like these when you know that you're alive
(My life from the beginning)
Nights like these when you know that you got vibe
(And all the songs I'm singing)
Nights like these when you laugh until you cry
(Is all the love I'm giving)
Iain Bagnall
Finding this many good vibes in late 2020 is a struggle; love y'all Cat People :) xxxx love and kisses from California
StephBer1
@Iain Bagnall. Tell all your friends about them. The Cat Empire is the best feel good band in the world. Every song of theirs is a celebration and a joy. They are barely even know in the US but in their home country (Australia, where I'm from ) and in Europe they are golden. Most underrated band EVER.
I hope the fires are getting better in California.
Love from your bushfire buddies in Australia. 🐨💗
JERDN
I will never not love this song!! Everything about it is good.
Leroy Nicholls
finding a fellow fan is harder than finding true love.
Daisy
big up to whoever finds true love in a fellow fan
Occupied Australia
I think their music great very unique , like a celebration of life .
Jane
They're still doing world tours. My favourite band.
Natasha Oldfield-dumny
This video s oh so true my cat empire friend 😊
David
@Daisy I was close a few months ago 😞
Jonathan
Have been listening to you guys for years, and still in love with the music you make!
It has inspired me to do so many amazing things and I will continue doing good, thanks the Cat Empire!