It’s been a while since we interviewed a cat. And that’s truly a sentence I never imagined ever writing. But here we find ourselves…back with our good old friend Fat Cat Affair! With five singles to his name, he’s clearly a cat on a mission. A soulful, R&B, jazzy, and funky mission.
Fat Cat’s brand new tune is called ‘Empty Bed’, and it’s a track that’s, essentially, played in my flat at least five times a day. I wanted to catch up with the legend, and was thrilled when he agreed to another interview! Meowing with us about success, mastering instruments as a cat, and what he’d ultimately like to be remembered for, please give a big welcome to our friend Fat Cat Affair!
Well meow there Fat Cat! Long time no see! How’s the challenge of creating music while lacking opposable thumbs treating you?
Well, I have been playing music for a long time and solved that problem many years ago. Cats are multi-talented in many mysterious ways and I can not only play guitar, but bass, piano, drums and the soozamaphone!
‘I Wonder‘ was my introduction to your music, but I know that your artistic career started a few singles before that. For those who haven’t discovered your musical prowess just yet, how would you describe your overall sound?
I am a cat about town and love collaborating with other musicians. My journey has led me through the streets of Paris, the clubs of London, the forests of Europe and all the clubs and pubs you can imagine. As a result, I have a lot of influence from many styles of music, most especially R&B, Pop, Jazz and Blues. I love putting a modern twist on old classics, love modern mixes with fresh vocal talent, and love stories about life and love.
Now, all cards on the table, I’ve fallen deeply in love with your soulful and rich new tune ‘Empty Bed’! I also love the story behind it! Could you tell our readers about the inspiration behind the track?
I was living in London in a cool flat in Camden. I had just arrived in England and was loving the music scene there. Even though I am inspired most of the time, I was on fire in London. There was something about the vibe that got me. The musicians, the clubs, the audience. Everything made me want to write. Anyway, in the flat next door to mine, there lived a young couple that seemed sweet enough. He was a bookseller and she worked somewhere in the city. I used to hear them arguing all the time. It was crazy! So, I started playing music to their arguments. There was a sweet rhythm to their heartache and it gave rise to this song. Later on, I invited them to one of my parties. I didn’t speak to them much as I got offered a very interesting deal that night…but that is another story. I think they broke up after that. I never saw them again but I do have this song.
When you’re not working on your music, what does a day in the life of Fat Cat look like? I imagine there’s a lot of napping, ball chasing, and maybe even a sneaky catnip treat.
Give me some credit…I am an exceptional cat! I don’t chase balls. I do love a nap though. You got me there. But in between playing music and napping, I sometimes practice a little parkour if I am in the city. I love running up walls and cat-flipping.
What would success look like for you in the music industry? And what are your overall thoughts on the current state of the industry?
Big questions for a little cat! Success is always about community and people. This is what makes the world go round. Of course, it would be nice to get a top ten single in a popular chart but collaborating with great artists and bringing people joy has always been my motivation. I am a party cat, drawn to the music like a duck to water.
What is the purr-fect environment to create your music?
Real life! I have never been afraid to chat and meet people and that is where my inspiration comes from. As I have said, I have played all over Europe, with all kinds of people. I love the rich tapestry of drama, love, conflict and life. I love being immersed in it. I am a people’s cat…a feline forager of fables. Give me a co-writer and I am in heaven.
Is there a show or concert (or even a meow-sical) that you attended (or perhaps even played at) that just stands out from all of the rest? If so, please do tell.
I am a big fan of The Lion King. Simba is a solid guy. Cats – The Musical is pretty good too but not very accurate. But something that really stands out is a cool gig I once played in a forest in Germany. I wrote a song and released a song about it called ‘Up At Dawn’. You can listen to it on Spotify and read all about the concert on my website.
Alright Fat Cat, desert island time! You’re allowed to grab 3 albums before being stranded on a desert island. Which do you choose?
Three is a tricky but magical number. Nine would be more appropriate. Let’s make this easy… Something popular would be ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Cat’s Club Band’ by The Beatles. Something classic would have to be ‘Pet Sounds’ by The Beach Boys. And something rocky would be ‘Is This It’ by The Strokes. I would probably take anything by Deadmau5 too and if we are talking singles though – I can’t stop listening to ‘Leave The Door Open’ by Bruno Mars and Silk Sonic.
Thanks so much for chatting with us Fat Cat! It’s been great to catch up! Not to get too dark or anything, but what would you ultimately like to be remembered for?
Being the cat that got the cream.
