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
The Chariot
The Cat Empire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One night
When the news it had been telling me
Bout one more war and one more fight and
I, I sighed
But then I thought about my friends
Then I wrote this declaration
Just in case the world end
Our guns
We shot them in the things we said
Ah we didn't need no bullets
Cause we rely on some words instead
Kill someone in argument
Outwit them with our brains
And we'd kill ourselves laughing
At the funny things we'd say
And bombs
We had them saved for special times
When the crew would call a shakedown
We'd break down a party landmine
Women that so sexy
They explode us with their looks
Ah we blowing up some speakers
Jumping 'round 'til the ground shook
And missiles
They were the road-trips that we launched
T-t-tripping 'cross this island
Starting missions at the break of dawn
Yawn and smile say
What direction shall we take?
Somewhere where it warm and wet
This be the route we'd always take and
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from our timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from our timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from our timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
And our air-force flying
When the frisbee in the sky
Have a session while we're smoking
Now we're feeling extra high
And we'd sneak into a car-park
With the skaties on our back
And we're flying down the levels howling
"On the attack now, on the attack"
And battles
They happened in these dancehalls
See we'd rather fight with music
Choosing when the rhythm won
Battle at these shakedowns
And we'd battle at these gigs
We do battle in our bedrooms
Made some sweet love to the beat
And our allies grew
Wherever we would roam
See whenever we're together
Any stranger feel at home
In a way we are an army
But this army not destruct
No instead we're doing simple things
Good loving, find it, run amuck
This be a declaration
Written about my friends
It's engraved into this song
So they know we're not forgetting them
See maybe if the world contained
More people like these
Then the news would not be telling me
Bout all that warfare endlessly and
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from our timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from our timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
The Cat Empire's "The Chariot" is a song that delves into the idea of community and friendship being a powerful mechanism to combat the chaos that exists in the world. The song opens up with the singer, Felix Riebl, talking about how he wrote the song upon hearing about another war in the world. However, instead of feeling hopeless, he began thinking about his friends and the things they lived for. And so, the song sets the stage for the weapons they use in their battles. They do not need guns – words are enough. The lyrics go on to talk about how women are their bombs, and they explode just by the power of their looks. Their missiles are their road trips, which they embark upon without fearing the destination, knowing that wherever they go, they will carry the essence of their community with them.
Perhaps the most striking thing about this song is how the Cat Empire's music, which is a blend of reggae, ska, jazz, and Latin rhythms, forms the "instruments" they use in their battles. Their music is the medium for their community's language, which expresses love, unity, and passion. The lyrics close with the "declaration" stating that if the world had more people like the community they represent, then the news would not be talking about endless warfare. The song's positivity and the vibe it exudes makes the listener feel like belonging to a part of a community that transcends geographical borders.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a song that came upon me
One night
When the news it had been telling me
Bout one more war and one more fight and
The inspiration for this song came from the constant news reports about war and conflict around the world. The lyrics express a desire for a more peaceful way of life.
I, I sighed
But then I thought about my friends
Then I wrote this declaration
Just in case the world end
The singer expresses a sense of sadness and despair at the state of the world, but finds comfort in the thought of his friends. He writes this song as a message to them, in case the world ever ends.
Our guns
We shot them in the things we said
Ah we didn't need no bullets
Cause we rely on some words instead
The 'guns' they refer to are their words and the power they have in conversation. They believe that words can be just as deadly as bullets, and they rely on their wit and intelligence to win arguments.
Kill someone in argument
Outwit them with our brains
And we'd kill ourselves laughing
At the funny things we'd say
They use their intelligence to outsmart their opponents in arguments, and find humor in their own wit and cleverness.
And bombs
We had them saved for special times
When the crew would call a shakedown
We'd break down a party landmine
The 'bombs' they refer to are their ability to throw a great party. They save this skill for special occasions, and when they do unleash it, it's like a bomb going off with the energy and excitement they bring.
Women that so sexy
They explode us with their looks
Ah we blowing up some speakers
Jumping 'round 'til the ground shook
They use the power of music and dance to make themselves and others feel alive. They are particularly drawn to the beauty of women and the way they can make them feel explosive and energized.
And missiles
They were the road-trips that we launched
T-t-tripping 'cross this island
Starting missions at the break of dawn
The 'missiles' they refer to are their road trips, which they view as missions. They set out early in the morning to explore the island and discover new adventures.
Yawn and smile say
What direction shall we take?
Somewhere where it warm and wet
This be the route we'd always take and
They approach their road trips with a sense of relaxed spontaneity. They don't have a set itinerary or plan, but instead go where the wind takes them. They are drawn to warm and tropical destinations.
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from our timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
Their 'weapons' are their musical instruments, made from the natural materials of timber and steel. They see music as a way to rebel against conformity and to assert their own unique identities. They see themselves as kings riding in a chariot, powered by the record wheel of their music.
And our air-force flying
When the frisbee in the sky
Have a session while we're smoking
Now we're feeling extra high
Their 'air force' is a reference to playing frisbee, which they do while smoking. They feel especially happy and carefree in these moments.
And we'd sneak into a car-park
With the skaties on our back
And we're flying down the levels howling
"On the attack now, on the attack"
They enjoy sneaking around and breaking the rules a bit, as they do when they go roller-skating in a forbidden area. They are full of energy and excitement, like they are on the attack in a battle.
And battles
They happened in these dancehalls
See we'd rather fight with music
Choosing when the rhythm won
Their 'battles' take place on the dance floor, where they compete with each other through their music and dance moves. They prefer to fight through music and rhythm, rather than with physical violence.
Battle at these shakedowns
And we'd battle at these gigs
We do battle in our bedrooms
Made some sweet love to the beat
They continue to battle each other through their music and dance skills, whether they are at concerts, parties, or even in their own bedrooms. They also see music as a way to connect with each other and make love.
And our allies grew
Wherever we would roam
See whenever we're together
Any stranger feel at home
As they travel and explore new places, they find allies and friends everywhere they go. They have a way of making any stranger feel welcome and accepted when they are together.
In a way we are an army
But this army not destruct
No instead we're doing simple things
Good loving, find it, run amuck
They see themselves as a type of army, but one that is not destructive. Instead, they spread joy and happiness through their music and their ability to love and connect with others. They encourage others to join them in running amuck and having fun.
This be a declaration
Written about my friends
It's engraved into this song
So they know we're not forgetting them
This song is a declaration of love and appreciation for the singer's friends. He wants them to know how much they mean to him and that he will never forget them.
See maybe if the world contained
More people like these
Then the news would not be telling me
Bout all that warfare endlessly and
The singer suggests that the world would be a better place if more people were like his friends, spreading love and joy instead of conflict and war.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Felix Riebl
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@omarpokorni4660
This is a song that came upon me
One night
When the news it had been telling me
Bout one more war and one more fight and
I, I sighed
But then I thought about my friends
Then I wrote this declaration
Just in case the world end
Our guns
We shot them in the things we said
Ah we didn't need no bullets
Cause we rely on some words instead
Kill someone in argument
Outwit them with our brains
And we'd kill ourselves laughing
At the funny things we'd say
And bombs
We had them saved for special times
When the crew would call a shakedown
We'd break down a party landmine
Women that so sexy
They explode us with their looks
Ah we blowing up some speakers
Jumping 'round 'til the ground shook
And missiles
They were the road trips that we launched
T-t-tripping 'cross this island
Starting missions at the break of dawn
Yawn and smile, say
"What direction shall we take?"
Somewhere where it warm and wet
This be the route we'd always take and
[Chorus]
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
[Chorus]
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
[Chorus]
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from our timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
And our air force flying
When the frisbee in the sky
Have a session while we're smoking
Now we're feeling extra high
And we'd sneak into a car park
With the skaties on our back
And we're flying down the levels howling
"On the attack now, on the attack"
And battles
They happened in these dance halls
See we'd rather fight with music
Choosing when the rhythm warms
Battle at these shakedowns
And we'd battle at these gigs
We do battle in our bedrooms
Made some sweet love to the beat
And our allies grew
Wherever we would roam
See whenever we're together
Any stranger feel at home
In a way we are an army
But this army not destruct
No instead we're doing simple things
Good loving, find it, run amuck
This be a declaration
Written about my friends
It's engraved into this song
So they know we're not forgetting them
See maybe if the world contained
More people like these
Then the news would not be telling me
Bout all that warfare endlessly and
[Chorus]
Our weapons were our instruments
Made from timber and steel
We never yielded to conformity
But stood like kings
In a chariot that's riding on a
Record wheel
@zoeefanow7038
does this song make anyone else really happy?
@CompleteNewbie
Everyone.
@soonerthanlater8206
Errry time
@pretizell9861
me fam
@Achoomuah
Yes.
@jeffreybarkin3177
ABSOLUTELY!
As the Only Wars we NEED are Debates!
NO More Killing and Take our arguments SERIOUSLY, I should THINK?
ANY Thoughts?
Curious....
❤
PS AWESOME Song and Musicianship Too!
@Eminem9420
2024 still rocking since high school
@apatternedhorizon
I found this song years ago while looking up the hardcore band the chariot, couldn't have been happier about my discovery
@luispedropinzonrosales2565
Jajaja Oscar de la hoz. Same thing happened to me.
@randywilliams5605
This is why I'm here. I was like "Why have I never heard of this song?!" Now I know, and I'm ok with it.