From a Melbourne jazz club to an audience of one billion
In short: The Cat Empire didn't just find a sound; they engineered a global fusion of jazz, funk, ska, and rock. From their humble beginnings in 1999 as a three-piece group to headlining international festivals, their trajectory is a masterclass in expanding musical boundaries.
The band's lineage traces back to the Melbourne-based group Jazz Cat in 1999, led by Steve Sedergreen. While Jazz Cat was a nine-piece ensemble, The Cat Empire emerged as a leaner three-piece featuring Ollie McGill, Felix Riebl, and Ryan Monro. Their visual identity was deeply personal: their name came from a drawing by Riebl's brother, Max, and their iconic 'Pablo' cat's eye logo was created by Ollie’s father, Ian McGill.
The group's sonic evolution accelerated in 2001 with the addition of Harry James Angus on trumpet, Will Hull-Brown on drums, and Jamshid "Jumps" Khadiwala on turntables. This expansion allowed them to blend heavy Latin influences with diverse genres like reggae and hip-hop. A pivotal moment occurred in 2005 with their album 'Two Shoes,' recorded at Egrem Studios in Havana, Cuba. The record debuted at number one in Australia and showcased a more Latin flavor, largely driven by Angus's songwriting.
Their global reach peaked during the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, where they performed for an estimated worldwide audience of one billion people. Despite this massive exposure, the band maintained a rigorous touring schedule, performing over 45 gigs in 12 countries in a single year (2006) and eventually reaching their 800th show by 2011. Their career has been marked by both high-profile successes—like headlining festivals with Kiss—and internal shifts, including Angus's brief departure in 2008 and various lineup changes through 2022.
The band remains a significant force in the Australian music scene, having achieved double platinum status. Their ability to navigate international markets led to deals with major labels like EMI and Virgin Records, as well as independent ventures like the Two Shoes music label. They continue to be recognized for their 'brainy' and 'danceable' fusion of global sounds.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Cat Empire
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