How The Cat Empire Sets the Stage on Fire

June 20, 2010, Cumberland, BC – An Australian singing in French about an American state with a Jamaican rhythm track.  If there was a single mental image that could encompass The Cat Empire, headliners at The Big Day Up on July 17, that would probably be it.

Australia’s The Cat Empire has harnessed disparate musical elements–funk, ska, reggae, pop, vaudeville–to incredible effect.  Since coming together at the beginning of the decade, this fiery collective has played live in front of over five million people, winning over everyone within earshot with their irresistible tracks.

The Cat Empire’s eight members are as diverse as their music.  Lead singer Felix Riebl’s immediate family includes the head violinist in the Vienna Philharmonic. Jamshid ‘Jumps’ Khadiwala brings a rich rhythmic heritage from his native Mumbai. Ryan Monro tracks every single coffee he drinks on his coffee blog.  

The Cat Empire’s personal chemistry is as important as the musical chemistry that has served the band so well. Rather than despair because of their differences, The Cat Empire has been able to make worthwhile art from them from the start. One look at a the grainy footage shot in front of a few hundred friends at Melbourne’s Commercial Club in their first show as a six piece in 2001 and it is instantly recognisable as The Cat Empire. The haircuts and clothes may have changed but the energy is unmistakable. 

Some members say that they knew they were on the right path this very night. Others will pick a different point in time, with the common held belief that when they held a residency - most famously at such Melbourne venues as The Saint and The Prince Of Wales - they could see the numbers multiply each time they played. It is the oldest known successful music business model, simply offer something audiences can’t get anywhere else and play well at every opportunity.

What they all agree on is that they owe their entire trajectory to their ever-growing audiences. Night after night they worked their way from serenading a few hundred punters to electrifying 150,000 at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Lighting a stage on fire night after night takes equal parts energy and musical chops.  From their first moments on stage the groove is ferocious, the brass is sassy. The trumpet and keyboard feel like they’re blasting in your living room. Felix’s vocals swoop and fall and hyper-ventilate. Infectious beats blend with sing-along hooks.  The crowd comes along on a wild ride.

The Comox Valley will get to feel The Cat Empire’s mojo first hand on July 17 at The Big Day Up on Mount Washington. This one-day musical extravaganza is the latest concoction from Cumberland Village Works, producers of The Big Time Out.

“The whole concept behind The Big Day Up is to give the crowds time away from their daily hustle down below,” says Vig Schulman, one of the show’s producers.  “When I heard that The Cat Empire were available I knew we needed an incredible and totally-unique venue.  With these artists and this venue... it’s going to be amazing.”

The Big Day Up roster also features Daniel Wesley, Sweatshop Union, Nine Mile, Aaron Nazrul & The Boom Booms and more.  Tickets are now available at thebigdayup.com.

About Cumberland Village Works

Cumberland Village Works was started in 2005 by Vig Schulman to bring music, culture and vibrant energy to the good people of the Comox Valley. Village Works was named “Best Business in Cumberland”, shared with the Waverley Hotel, by the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce in May, 2009. The Village Works can be found at www.cumberlandvillageworks.com.

Media Contact

Susan McVittie, Cumberland Village Works

250-338-4399 / [email protected]