Tomorrow (August 25), The Cat Empire release their 9th studio album, Where The Angels Fall, which sees them return to their roots, writing, and recording in their hometown of Melbourne. Celebrating Melbourne’s live music scene and the next generation of talented musicians, the band wanted to pay homage to a place where Felix & Ollie first met, sneaking into venues underage and discovering a whole world of music.
With the opening fat notes of a sousaphone on Thunder Rumbles, track one of their new album, The Cat Empire invite you into their impending storm of sound. Where The Angels Fall is a celebration of everything that The Cat Empire stand for. It’s a joyous, multi-cultural festival of musical fun. And even better, they’re taking this party out on the road.
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips sat down with The Cat Empire’s Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill over a zoom call to discuss the creation of Where The Angels Fall
MORE ABOUT WHERE THE ANGELS FALL
Exploring new styles and approaches while also celebrating the melting pot of international sounds coming from local artists, the forthcoming record is as ambitious as it is considered – with a list of over 30 contemporary musicians to play on the record.
New faces include award-winning musical force Grace Barbe, hailing from the Indian Ocean islands of the Seychelles on bass and vocals. Cuban-born trumpeter and vocalist Lazaro Numa joins long-time tinmen Ross Irwin and Kieran Conrau in the Empire Horns. To Cat Empire fans, Daniel Farrugia’s drumming won’t be unfamiliar. He’s toured with the band multiple times and is one of the most exciting and in-demand live and studio drummers in Australia. Finally, bolstering the percussion section is Neda Rahmani – a dear friend of The Cat Empire whose love of language and community has connected her to Afro and Brazilian drumming cultures in Australia and around the world.
Ollie reflects on the album, “With the advent of the new band comes a new album of brand-new music. Felix and I haven’t had as much fun in the studio since the recording of our debut album, which was also produced by Andy Baldwin. We are pinching ourselves at the level of joy and sophistication that we have managed to conjure.”
AND THEY’VE ANNOUNCED A TOUR
Fresh off the back of a nearly sold-out 23-date tour across UK & Europe and a newly announced massive 28-date North America tour in November, The Cat Empire’s new show will celebrate movement, vibrancy, and playfulness – with a host of new material as well as the crowd-favourites.
After supporting the band on their European run earlier this year, Steph Strings is set to open all shows apart from Sydney, and New Zealand brothers Coterie will join as main support.
Fans can expect surprise special guests, fresh interpretations of Cat Empire classics and a massive show that epitomises the herculean nature of their new album.
WHERE THE ANGELS FALL ALBUM TOUR
SUPPORTED BY DOUBLE J
WITH COTERIE (ALL SHOWS), STEPH STRINGS (NOT PLAYING SYD) ROSHANI (SYD ONLY)
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15 | THE ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22 | FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23 | THE GREEN ROOM, BYRON BAY
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 | HINDLEY STREET MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE
FRIDAY OCTOBER 6 | THE FORUM THEATRE, MELBOURNE
PRE-SAVE ALBUM HERE
WHERE THE ANGELS FALL TRACKLISTING
THUNDER RUMBLES
BOOM BOOM
MONEY COMING MY WAY
DEEPER
OWL
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
BE WITH YOU AGAIN
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
COMING BACK AGAIN
WEST SUN
OLD DOG, NEW TRICKS
OH MERCY
WALLS
DRIFT AWAY
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