The effervescent CATCALL, aka Catherine Kelleher caught our attention a few years ago with her fresh brand of 'hip-pop' filtering through her hit 'Bad Move Baby'. Although Catcall's been likened to everyone from Macromantics to M.I.A, her bold live stints are proof that comparisons are unnecessary. Kelleher has shared sweaty mics with The Gossip, Deerhoof, Architecture in Helsinki, and Macromantics, as well as the main support slot for Phoenix and La Roux on their recent tours. After recently being handpicked by the hipsters at Ivy League, Catcall will release her debut record later on this year. Primary Colours talks to Catcall about Kiosk, Beth Ditto and Lady Gaga warm ups...
Catcall has been described as everything from ‘fractured hip hop’ to a ‘multi layered, electronic dream’. How would you describe Catcall’s real guise, Catherine Kelleher?
Passionate, honest and little bit mad.
You seem to dig your fair share of shoulderpads, glitter, and purple eyelashes. What fad from the past would you like to see brought back to light?
Tencel Jeans.
When you sit down to write, what jumps out at you first – the melody or the lyrics?
The melody comes out first and the vibe of the vocal line usually informs what the song is going to be about lyrically. It’s always quite personal.
You could say that Catcall’s relatively tamer compared to your role in Kiosk. How/when did you meet Jack and Angela?
I met Ang and Jack at the end of 2003 when they were playing in this rad Indie pop band “When yr Dead yr Dead Forever”. They opened for Red Riders and Dappled Cities at the Hopetoun. I had started talking to Ang on the internet a bit before that because I wanted to start a band that sounded like Blonde Redhead and Confusion is Sex era Sonic Youth…she wanted to join so I went to meet her in the flesh and that’s how Kiosk was born. I had no friends who were into the bands I was into so the internet was how I could connect with like minded people while I was in high school.
Were you in the music clique at high school?
Not at all really. Most of the kids at school weren’t really getting into the stuff I was into. I just floated around in high school and music was something that I experienced in this solitary way. I mainly talked about music with people on the internet until I finished school and met Jack and Ang who opened my world up.
What’s the most important thing to you when making music?
That I’m honest in my lyrics and sounds and that nothing is forced or not true. I think audiences can see through the bullshit anyway.
What sort of albums/artists did you grow up listening to?
I grew up initially listening to bands like Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Shellac, Bikini Kill, Nirvana, Murder City Devil, and At the Drive-In. Then stuff like Black Flag, The Germs, The Go Gos and The Stooges.
It’s Friday night and you’re home alone. What record do you put on in preparation for some copious booty shaking?
Beyonce’s I am Sasha Fierce….
Men in spandex – hit or shit?
Hit.
If a higher power was to smite your house right now, what record would you save from the flames?
My Germs Forming 7”, it has a special place in my heart.
Which artist/band would you most like to collaborate with?
Joseph Mount from Metronomy. I’d love to do some girl/boy duets with him like Ike and Tina, Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson, John and Yoko or Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra.
Tell us about the most wacked out gig you’ve ever played.
Kiosk played this sweaty basement show in Brooklyn, NY back in the summer of 2006. It was packed and I was standing on the drum kit, bashing my hands on the roof singing to this packed room of kids who were all going crazy. One of the best live shows I’ve ever been a part of.
You supported the Gossip a while ago. Is Beth Ditto’s real personality as generous as her stage persona?
Yes. She’s super adorable and hilarious.
I also read somewhere that Ditto’s a professed fan of your work with Kiosk. Who’s your fave female muso?
That is SO hard…but right now I would have to say Christine Mcvie from Fleetwood Mac.
Longest amount of time you’ve gone without a shower on tour?
Not longer than a day. I need my showers. I’d lose it if I couldn’t shower.
Any rituals to amp yourself up before a gig?
I sing some mainstream pop…at the moment it moves between Beyonce’s Sweat Dreams and Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. But really right before a show I’m usually found pacing back and forth with nervous energy because I can’t wait to play. Someone in my band is usually trying to chill me out, they’re all super relaxed. I’m mad.
Name your poison.
Soy flat white. Can’t live without.
Jack and Ange are busy with Circle Pit now, is Kiosk still in the works?
Not at the moment…I feel like we’re all making the music we’re meant to make right now…but you never know. Kiosk is more of a relationship than a band. Jack and Ange are two of my best friends and we learnt everything from being in that band. One day we’ll totally play again….it will be a spur of the moment thing though!
The solo project seems to be a popular jaunt for a lot of bands now. Do you prefer the independence of doing your own thing with Catcall, or do you miss the dynamics of being in a band?
I do miss it a lot, I miss writing music with a group of people…(I’m trying to start an all girl band that rips of Tom Tom Club and ESG to satisfy that part of me again)…but also I love writing solo because I inject so much personal expression in the lyrics. I work better when I’m creatively driving a project but I think music always needs to be collaborative in some way, and I really love working with the beat producers….they bring their sounds to me, and then I turn it into a story. I’m absolutely loving performing with musicians for the live show.
You’ve toured with Pheonix and La Roux and played most of the big name festivals this summer, what’s ahead for Catcall in ’10?
FINALLY releasing the album that I’ve been working on for the last year and a half…I can’t wait.
Catcall plays the 2010 Big Day Out.