New York – Stranger Cat, comprised of Cat Martino and accompanied by Sven Britt, released their debut LP aptly named Into The Wilderness, reviewed by BestNewBands as “an electronic wonderland of sound”, on April 14th via Joyful Noise Records. Martino, whose familiar vocals have laid down an impressive track record that has kept company recording and touring with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux and The Shins, left her native Brooklyn to produce and record the LP in Grass Valley, California, a process two and a half years in the making and funded in part by contributions on PledgeMusic.
Although described on the band’s website as “a product of the urban sprawl”, the both elusive and inviting sound of Stranger Cat was created in dual circumstances tying together both New York and the Sierra Foothills, where joined for a period by longtime friend Sven Britt, the visually stimulating atmosphere of the region aided in the duo’s own audio experimentation that is sure to translate into a three dimensional art form during live shows. Born into the shape of the Stranger Cat, the duality and turbulence of synth-minded electronics contrasted with the natural world is juxtaposition well managed by Martino and Britt.
Drawing from her own personal experience suffering from a debilitating physical impairment, Martino now garners inspiration from the body in motion. This influence that is sure to prevail in a live setting, where the innovative pair push boundaries to create a haunting and hypnotic atmosphere that is translated by their music. Unsurprisingly given the band’s perchance to remain undefined by any genre, they’ve also in past released their own entrancing and melancholy take on pop hit “Chandelier” by Sia.
The band’s name itself was inspired by the animal that used to linger as they recorded, whose presence had a lasting effect being the first to witness the outcome. This acknowledgement of the interaction between humans, animals and their environment takes place in the form of songs such as first single “Sirens” from Into The Wilderness, inspired by both the ubiquitous sirens outside Martino’s apartment in Brooklyn as well as those more aptly placed within Greek mythology.
Self-describing their debut LP as “rawer, more immediate … like a deeper authentic voice, a darker exploration” than previous work, it is clear the duo have developed with keen innovation over the past two years and are more than ready to present the full outcome. Audience members should expect a full immersion into the experimental and empowering world of Martino, Britt and the Stranger Cat.
See the art and music of these multi-instrumentalists take full form at their LP release party at Rough Trade May 20th, where they perform alongside alongside Port St. Willow, Salt Cathedral, and still to be announced special guests (also promised by the pair: an unsurprisingly eclectic combination of “singers, dancers, unicorns and pizza”).
Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance here for $10.
Ruby Hoffman
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