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CATNIP

Catnip...Cinematic Soundscapes

About Me


Catnip is a Melbourne based independent band who play lyric based songs within a lush cinematic sound scape. Their unique sound is created with electric guitar, lap steel, bass, drums and a relaxed vocal style.
Following the critically acclaimed Falling (2007) and Pink & Blue & Green (2003), Mirror is the first international release for the Australian band Catnip. Mirror is a selection of tracks from both releases, remixed and mastered by renowned producer Kramer (Low, Galaxie 500, Urge Overkill, Palace Brothers, Danielson Familie, Jeffrey Lewis) at Noise Miami. Engineered and co-produced by ARIA award winner Chris Thompson (The Waifs, Hilltop Hoods, Birthday Party, Nick Cave) and featuring Kramer on several tracks, Mirror is a beautifully intimate fresh voice for Catnip.
Mirror is scheduled for release May 2008 through Second Shimmy with distribution in Europe and the UK through Cargo Distribution.
Catnip will be performing a showcase gig at NXNE in Toronto, Canada, June and subsequently touring the United Kingdom, Europe and United States Sept/Oct 2008 to support the release of the Mirror.
"An affectingly spooky and haunting debut from a gifted and adventurous band...The vocal style of singer Nerida Trask calls to mind Harriet Wheeler of 90s Brit band The Sundays, with occasional hints of the Cowboy Junkies Margo Timmins and Cocteau Twins’ Liz Fraser. The musical backing wanders from electronica into something more organic and rootsy and back again, like a less funereal Black Heart Procession, particularly on Here We Go Again, which has some fine other worldly guitar drifting around amongst keyboard bleeps and blips. The record creates a haunting lonely sunlit atmosphere, and although Nerida’s vocals don’t go as far as the Liz Fraser non-language thing, they significantly contribute to the mood as another instrument, at least as much as they do in terms of lyrics. The drums too are not merely beat keeping but adding textures, such as on the closing of Wish I Was A Bird. Stay has a touch of David Lynch/Angelo Badalamenti menace, indeed much of the record has cinematic open spaces running through it. Tomorrow Is A Long Time is early Cowboy Junkies style, but like many of the songs, it’s so well done that the influences just get overridden. A very promising debut. 8 out of 10" Patrick Wilkins (www.americana-uk.com)
“It’s easy to understand what drew former Galaxie 500 & Low producer Kramer to Catnip, who’s international debut is remixed and is now releasing. The drowsy pace of the seductive Aquamarine or the gently disconcerting Fly With Me match the elegant restraint of his former proteges while also bringing to mind the minimalist gothic beauty of Mazzy Star…” Eden Park Uncut Magazine May 2008/Catnip - Live @ The Northcote Social Club

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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/21/2006
Band Website: catnip.net.au
Band Members:
Influences: Catnip listen to lots of music including... Mum, Low, Sigur Ros, Sonic Youth, David Bowie, Black Heart Procession, The Pixies, Neko Case, Ayub Ogada, Tinawarin, Calexico, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, Iggy & The Stooges, Neil Young, Daniel Lanois, Interpol, Mogwai, Steve Malkmus, Flaming Lips, The Cocteau Twins, Bob Dylan, Beck, Tricky, Massive Attack, Portishead, DJ Shadow, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Cat Power, The Dears, Martha Wainright, Will Oldham... blah blah blah!
Sounds Like:

CATNIP!
Buy our latest CD Mirror (Kramer remix)


Record Label: Second Shimmy (USA, Europe & UK)
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

New songs on myspace & gigs on the horizon!

We’ve uploaded all new songs to our myspace page with a sample of songs from our new album "Mirror". If you live in Australia/New Zealand/Asia, you can purchase a copy of "Mirror" from the Carg...
Posted by CATNIP on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:26:00 PST

New song uploaded - Kramer mix from new album

We've uploaded one of the new mixes from our upcoming album "Mirror" due for release in the US, UK & Europe 20 January 2008...this is a sneak preview of the album.xx
Posted by CATNIP on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 03:59:00 PST

Kramer remixing album now!!

Great news - Kramer is currently in the process of remixing our album! The album will also include a previously unreleased track. The new album is now due for release internationally in November.Sta...
Posted by CATNIP on Sun, 15 Jul 2007 05:03:00 PST

Catnip Album Launch - Seth Rees now joining us for the night too!

We've added another special guest for the night - the fantastic Seth Rees. The night will now be extra exciting!Northcote Social ClubSaturday 27 JanuaryCatnip 11 -12All India Radio 10-10.40Seth Rees ...
Posted by CATNIP on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 04:36:00 PST

Recent review of debut single "Here We Go Again"

Catnip "Falling" (Second Shimmy 2006)An affectingly spooky and haunting debut from a gifted and adventurous band Catnip are a three piece Australian band from Melbourne this is their debut record. The...
Posted by CATNIP on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 05:38:00 PST

Catnip playing @ Peats Ridge Festival

We're excited to announce that we've been asked to play at Peats Ridge Festival - www.peatsridgefestival.com.au...should be fantastic - we're really looking forward to the great music and beautiful sc...
Posted by CATNIP on Sat, 28 Oct 2006 01:40:00 PST

Recent reviews of the single "HERE WE GO AGAIN"

http://www.adequacy.net/review.php?reviewID=7280CatnipHere We Go AgainIt..s not often that we get singles for review here at DOA, mostly because many independent labels can..t afford to mass-produce a...
Posted by CATNIP on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 02:25:00 PST

Catnip Album Launch

We've decided to launch the Australian version of the album in Melbourne to coincide with the International version...so stay tuned for a date and venue in Melbourne for January 2007.
Posted by CATNIP on Sun, 08 Oct 2006 07:53:00 PST

Catnip single launch last minute change of venue!!!!

Our single launch has changed venues to Scarlette, 185 Smith St, Fitzroy due to noise restrictions put in place at The Artery.The new time is 9pm (more rock n' roll friendly!!) and of course the venue...
Posted by CATNIP on Sun, 10 Sep 2006 04:30:00 PST

"Falling" to be released in US, UK & Europe on Second Shimmy Jan 2007

Catnip's debut album "Falling" (soon to be released in Aus) will be released on US label Second Shimmy January 2007. The album will be distributed throughout the US, UK & Europe after being remixed b...
Posted by CATNIP on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 03:40:00 PST