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 Crowd
The Cat Empire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me sing inside the crowded trams
Let me dance among the traffic jams
We're going to sleep
On the St Kilda sands
Lord unbind my feet
Let me mingle with the good people
We meet
Water rising up into the street
Unbind my feet
'The apparition of these faces in
The crowd;
Petals on a wet black bough"
Ezra Pound found the formula
Our houses are rectangular
But life is curved not angular
So when things start to strangular
Remember
Rain still falls on the halls of power
New babies being born every hour
And the eagle keeps watch on the old clock tower
Over me...
[CHORUS]
On the train I refrain from sitting with head and shoulders bowed
They told me time is of the essence
No wandering allowed
But then I saw a pretty girl
Whose features stood out in the crowd
Went ten minutes past my stop waiting for her to look around
I'm just another clown kicking around in Melbourne town
Cooling out, relaxing watching the
World go round
So if you ever have the time
And you want to go drink some wine
I'd rather greet you with a smile
Than greet you with a frown...
Lord unchain my hands
Let me sing inside the crowded trams
Let me dance among the traffic jams
We're going to sleep
On the St Kilda sands
Lord unbind my feet
Let me mingle with the good people
We meet
Water rising up into the street
Unbind my feet
The Cat Empire’s upbeat song, “The Crowd”, is about breaking free from the constraints of society and embracing the eclectic, busy environment of the urban world. The lyrics depict the singer asking for permission to let go and dance, sing, and move freely among the bustling crowds on the streets and trams of St. Kilda, Melbourne. The repetition of the phrase “Lord unchain my hands” and “Lord unbind my feet” emphasizes the singer’s desire to break free from societal expectations and limitations.
The song also references Ezra Pound’s poem, “In a Station of the Metro” through the line “The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet black bough”. This allusion highlights the idea that amidst the chaos of the city, individual people can stand out and be noticed.
Overall, “The Crowd” is a call to action for individuals to embrace the vibrant energy of the city, rather than letting it constrain and overwhelm them.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord unchain my hands
I want to sing and express myself freely while surrounded by others.
Let me sing inside the crowded trams
I want the opportunity to share my voice and passion for music in unexpected and unconventional places, like a cramped public transportation vehicle.
Let me dance among the traffic jams
In the midst of chaos and monotony, I crave the energy of movement and rhythm to break free and express myself.
We're going to sleep on the St Kilda sands
St. Kilda Beach is a place of peace, rest, and escape from the demanding urban lifestyle.
Lord unbind my feet
I want to be free to explore and connect with others without being held back by limitations or social conventions.
Let me mingle with the good people we meet
I want to interact with individuals from all walks of life, sharing stories and experiences while appreciating the diversity of humanity.
Water rising up into the street
Amidst the chaos and unpredictability of life, there is an undeniable and sometimes unstoppable current of change that impacts us all.
Unbind my feet
I want to be free to pursue opportunities and explore the world without restriction or confinement.
The apparition of these faces in the crowd; petals on a wet black bough
Just as the faces in the crowd are ephemeral and fleeting, so too is life. However, they are beautiful and unique, like the flower petals adorning a dark and damp tree branch.
Ezra Pound found the formula
Ezra Pound, a poet and critic, discovered a way to express profound themes in simple yet profound language. The artist admires his work and values the ability to convey meaning without unnecessary complexity.
Our houses are rectangular, but life is curved not angular
Although we often try to control and shape our environment, life is unpredictable and does not conform neatly to our desires or expectations.
So when things start to strangle, remember rain still falls on the halls of power
When times are tough and it feels like the world is closing in, remember that no one is immune to the struggles of life. Even those in positions of power and privilege are subject to the same forces of nature and life cycles as everyone else.
New babies being born every hour, and the eagle keeps watch on the old clock tower over me
Despite the difficulties and challenges of life, there is always the promise of new beginnings and fresh perspectives. The eagle's watchful eye symbolizes a sense of protection and guidance, even amidst chaos and change.
On the train I refrain from sitting with head and shoulders bowed
Rather than passively accepting the boredom and monotony of daily life, the singer actively rejects it and strives for something more engaging and meaningful.
They told me time is of the essence, no wandering allowed
Others may pressure or discourage the singer from pursuing their passions, suggesting that there is no time to waste and no room for exploration or experimentation.
But then I saw a pretty girl, whose features stood out in the crowd
Despite the pressure to conform and stay on track, the artist is willing to take risks and follow their heart, even if it means deviating from the established path.
Went ten minutes past my stop waiting for her to look around
The artist pursues his desire at the expense of practicality, showing that he values passion and connection over efficiency and control.
I'm just another clown kicking around in Melbourne town, cooling out, relaxing watching the world go round
The singer acknowledges their insignificance in the grand scheme of things, but still enjoys the journey and finds value in observing the world and its citizens from a unique perspective.
So if you ever have the time and you want to go drink some wine, I'd rather greet you with a smile than greet you with a frown
The singer prioritizes connection and community over material possessions or superficial goals. Rather than seeking wealth or status, the singer values the time spent with loved ones and the joy of shared experiences.
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hamish Lambert
This song makes me ecstatic. It's a spiritual peice of art!!
Laura Dolan
This is such a brilliant track. Its one of my favorites. 😍😍😍
Niko
What an amazing song...
OiSassMate
Epic
D
Thank you for inspiration
Brett Adamek
I miss you guys
Boh Nellis
Playlist track 1 summer 2022
Shane Cheesewright
This is for you Dennis