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
Steal the Light
The Cat Empire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's wearing flowers not snakes up in her hair tonight
And love we've been around before
We washed up on the old shore but it's new tonight
'It's only light' she said
'But we are liars to be free'
Ooh ooh ooh we'll steal the light to see
The hour falls we fall to dance
Now sirens and the marching bands sing
'It's nothing but chance tonight'
The billion ones and many few
And everyone I never new they're here tonight
'It's only light' we said
But we are liars to be free
Ooh ooh ooh we'll steal the light to see
What if I'm lonely?
What if the skies should fall and disappear?
For one night only
Open your eyes and run into the clear
So if I may, what if I say
'It's good to have you here!'
She said 'If you lead I'll come along
And if you need me there I'll sing your song tonight
And all that glows and all that shines
And all we leave behind will keep them warm tonight'
'It's only light' I said
But we are liars to be free
Ooh ooh ooh we'll steal the light to see
What if I'm lonely?
What if the skies should fall and disappear?
For one night only
Open your eyes and run into the clear
I love you only
Until the skies fall down and disappear
So if I may, what if I say
'It's good to have you here!'
Oh oh oh
The lyrics of The Cat Empire's song Steal the Light are filled with metaphors of light and freedom. The first verse implies that the singer has finally found someone who is not deceitful and is sincere in their intentions. The second verse emphasizes the idea of dancing to the rhythm of the universe and embracing the random encounters in life. The chorus talks about the importance of light, but also how we sometimes need to steal it to truly see it. The lyrics then shift to the idea of temporary happiness, asking 'what if the skies should fall and disappear?' but urging us to live in the moment and appreciate the company of our loved ones. The song concludes with the singer promising to be with their loved one until the end of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing now muse I won't be scared
Let's begin this tale with bravery, without fear
She's wearing flowers not snakes up in her hair tonight
She's chosen a softer approach and is embracing love, not warfare
And love we've been around before
We've seen and experienced love's journey before
We washed up on the old shore but it's new tonight
Even though it feels familiar, tonight is a new beginning
'It's only light' she said
The task of finding a path forward is simple, but we lie to ourselves in order to believe we're free
'But we are liars to be free'
We deceive ourselves into thinking we're free, whilst being bounded by responsibilities and dependencies
Ooh ooh ooh we'll steal the light to see
We'll find a way to see through the darkness and uncertainty
The hour falls we fall to dance
As night closes in, we embrace joy and happiness
Now sirens and the marching bands sing
The world around us celebrates and rejoices
'It's nothing but chance tonight'
We don't control the future, we are guided by fate as we go forward
The billion ones and many few
We are all unique, but ultimately, we share common desires and needs
And everyone I never knew they're here tonight
While we live our individual lives, the universe brings us together to share joy and love together
'It's only light' we said
Our challenges can seem insurmountable, but we remain optimistic
But we are liars to be free
Freedom is elusive, but we pretend to own it to feel at peace
What if I'm lonely?
What if I'm alone, without companionship?
What if the skies should fall and disappear?
What if everything we know should come to an end?
For one night only
For this one moment, let's let go of our worries and fears
Open your eyes and run into the clear
Face your problems with strength and clarity
So if I may, what if I say 'It's good to have you here!'
I'm glad you're here with me, let's experience this moment together
She said 'If you lead I'll come along
I'll follow you into the future, wherever it leads
And if you need me there I'll sing your song tonight
I'm here to support you and be by your side, let's make music together
And all that glows and all that shines
Everything that shines and glitters is ephemeral and will eventually fade away
And all we leave behind will keep them warm tonight'
What we leave behind will be cherished and remembered by those we love after we're gone
'It's only light' I said
Our challenges sometimes seem insurmountable, but we remain optimistic
But we are liars to be free
We falsely pursue freedom as a way to escape our responsibilities
I love you only
My love is pure and without reservation
Until the skies fall down and disappear
My love will last forever, even if everything else falls apart
Oh oh oh
An expression of exaltation and joy
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: FELIX RIEBL, HENRY ANGUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Kristobliss
Still one of the best musicians to ever come out of Australia. They were never marketed well enough for the talent they produce but they did become the world's best kept secret.
@madelineorio3285
next to "Clearwater beach # 1 beach ", just the way we like it in St. Pete where I saw TCE front row center an hour after buying a ticket for $40. (Pssst. Come to tourist-free Passe-A-Grill beach instead.)
@FISTR_
I was in Melbourne city walking past flinders street station saw a massive crowd at federation square across the road and wanted to see what all the fuss was and I made way there and was in amongst the crowd when all of a sudden these guys began playing music so I stayed for the entire show. First time I have ever been to a full blown concert that was out in the public and all for free! First time I have ever been moved to tear by music and especially when I heard the crowd singing along to their song called “all night loud”! I cried because I felt the love the crowd had for these guys it was such a sweet moment to be alive, a memory I wish I could show/share with my family and friends because you have to be at their concerts to really experience And appreciate true music that is fun, exciting and that is down right honest. That was the moment I became a fan of this band. Thank you cat empire for your service!
@aligncreatewithsarah9859
I was there too! On my friend's shoulders to see! It was an awesome night! :)
@wintertontoday
I was there too!!! 😍🥰❤ Great night 🎉 🌙
@brunakbarni1
so many years later and my heart still jumps when I listen to this band <3
@lisazucca1897
🧡
@rociomoy6709
Same!!!
@sepandee
Same. It's like some sort of magic that has a hold over me and my life. Can't explain it.
@missfrostyfruit
Extremely underrated Band! Propa