Dublin-based, Kilkenny-born indie pop artist Cat Dowling releases her new album, Animals, on Friday. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
The 11-track album is out on industrious Cork label Forever In Financial Arrears Records (FIFA Records), who are also working with One Morning in August, Klubber Lang, Hope is Noise, Dae Kim, and Lorraine Nash.
Produced by Gerry Horan with Dowling as co-producer, and mixed by Ger McDonnell (The Cure, U2, Van Morrison, Martha Wainwright, Shane McGowan, Sinead O'Connor), Dowling's latest output was partially recorded at Crossroads Studio in Kilkenny with support from Ireland's Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.
Former Babelfish and Alphastates frontwoman Dowling debuted with The Believer album in 2013, and the title track featured in the second series of Banshee and the Witches of East End TV series, featuring Julia Ormond.
Her song Somebody Else was also used in My name is Emily and she has also lent vocals on many collaborative projects, including ABC's How To Get Away With Murder.
Tell us three things about yourself?
I am an excellent daydreamer. I am the mother of three children. I love the art of conversation and I find music in words. Adventure is always calling my name. I adore the unexpected.
How would you describe your music?
I have an eclectic mish mash of influences that are too many to begin to name. I love all music as long as it’s brilliantly raw and it speaks to me. My music is ultimately about the song, but it includes lots of soundscapes, rhythms, and colours. For me music is often about the space between the beats and the notes.
Who are your musical inspirations?
The first female to blow my mind was Janis Joplin. I was very young, and her ragged vocals stopped me in my tracks. Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen coloured me growing up. For a kid it was those endless stories, beautiful words and simple melodies that hooked me in.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
I saw Christy Moore when I was a teenager in Waterford. My brother was a massive fan and sang all his songs. I grew up listening to a lot of Irish folk artists. The first record I ever bought was Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Ain’t Got No, I Got Life - Nina Simone.
Favourite lyric of all time?
It’s impossible to say a favourite lyric. BUT... "Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering, There is a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in" - Anthem - Leonard Cohen.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
I Got a Woman - Ray Charles.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and my website.
