Music
Press
"Yes! They know about silence in composition. About measure in full song. They know about dropping you in the middle of a raucous acoustic rant. They know about pulling up abruptly so that you let that breath you’ve been holding for the last thirty seconds out. They know about spiraling melodies, building tension, and breaking it. They’re fun, they’re wry, they’re wiser than they let on, and they’re going to be cult heroes before very long" Jess Henson
- Sonic Synapse
"It might sound like a strange concept, applauding musicians for actually playing music (After all, isn’t that what all musicians do?) but in a world filled with lemmings, sound-a-likes, and wannabees it is simply refreshing to hear an innovative way of creating a musical experience.
Chatting to the converted souls who now pledge a following in fanship, it’s interesting to find out how they first came to experience the music. One girl claims to have heard them playing in a shopping centre and was so intrigued, she phoned the in store radio to find out who played the song. Another had first met Mr Cat and the Jackal at Catu Irish Bar (an event organised by Overtone) and since then has been eagerly following all their Cape Town activities….
Watching Mr Cat and the Jackal at play is a treat within itself. The new show “Sins and Sirens” is an cleverly crafted musical dialogue that will have walk you through a ‘never never land’ experience and bring you back to the world of the living.
“The musically multi-dimensional mavericks, Mr Cat & the Jackal, have sculpted and theorised their third theme to suit the stage more theatrically in their new in Cape Town and surrounds.The group have created their own instruments, genre and finally a new form of musical. Little by little, step by step, this ensemble will mesmerise you into believing their tales and philosophies before taking you aboard ancient adventures that will all too soon be over, just like your first glass of wine. This multi faceted show is highly recommended to anyone with a rich taste in music.”
To all the souls that have been converted and all the souls they have yet to meet as they start their journey, stay posted to find the official decree of where the band shall be.
“Prepare to be amazed.” - Overtone
Discography
"Themes & Variations" album released in 2008.
single: "Fresh Meat" 2008
Local TV, radio play - MK, South African Music Channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIfP6EePbxg
"The Flood" album due soon
1st single: "where's my shoes?" 2010
2nd single: "The Devil always wants to dance" 2010
Local Radio Play
Internet Viral Videos 2009:
"The Birth of the Banjo-lapsteel"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJRs3tKnPPI&feature=related
"Broken Car Radio"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci-ffsDn08A
Photos
Bio
Mr Cat & the Jackal is a unique five
piece multi-instrumental group often
described as experimental acoustic folk
exploring blues, tango, pirate, Balkan
and Irish themes. With a circus of
sounds created by foreign and handmade
instruments - their live performance is a
complete musical experience.
The band formed in 2006, originally
devoted to writing musical scores for
theatre productions. They received a
KANNA nomination for their work in
Shakespear's “The Tempest” (die Storm,
KKNK). The group since then have
grown to become a vibrant live show of
their own.
Their debut album was released in
November 2007 (Themes & Variations),
breaking the record attendance at the Plaasteater venue. Since then the band have toured thrice, played many a festival
and amazed audiences at every venue available in Cape Town and Stellenbosch (their home crowd).
The group spends its time in their studio writing, inventing and building instruments and song structures. Gertjie,
Jacques, Pierre, JC and Johann all come from diverse musical backgrounds and aim to one day spread the gospel and of
the pirates. Their mission can only be described in verse:
A theatrical show
of pirates and beggars
who sing ancient songs
for music bootleggers
For our massive repertoire
we all pass around
three dozen instruments
to create our own sound
Its salvation we dread
we're five from the Cape
where we ate, drank n read
and practised our fate
Good 'ol folk tales
from the sea and the land
Our songs will set sail
with a whisky in hand
A spectacle of paradox
like dischord to soothe
designing our songs
for your soul to groove
on
Links
