New York - Stranger Cat celebrated the recent release of their debut LP Into The Wilderness (out on Joyful Noise Recordings and reviewed by BestNewBands here) at Rough Trade May 20th. The duo, comprised of Cat Martino and Sven Britt, demonstrated that the tracks written and recorded in rural California came together to become part of a much bigger picture when translated into a live setting. In the small dark space of Rough Trade, Martino and Britt, who with a nod to their classical backgrounds were joined on stage by both a violinist and trombonist, did their best to recreate the haunting yet inspiring setting where their music was written.
Draping various dark corners of the stage with sequined blankets that would double as capes for the performers to be donned midway through the set, Martino addressed the audience: “We’re not fucking around anymore”. The strong visual approach to Stranger Cat’s set was further augmented by two dancers, whose impressively lithe movements made total sense in accompaniment to Stranger Cat’s music as they wound around Martino, the stage and at one point the audience. However, all the visual flare did not detract or distract from the act’s performance, and instead was a complement that felt natural and almost subtle in its installation.
Exhibiting deliberate control and proving themselves to be serious performers, it was also obvious that although the band meant business, they didn’t take themselves too seriously, engaging in open banter both within themselves and the audience, which was clearly comprised of many supporters and close friends of the band. The audience themselves remained rapt and appreciative through the performance, and although at one point impaired with slight technically difficulties, Stranger Cat moved forward with ease and grace. Also featured on the setlist (“we’re going to borrow a song”, announced Martino) was Stranger Cat’s impressive cover of Chandelier by Sia, a track that was a standout coloured by Martino’s own vocal prowess.
Although it was the band’s official release party, this fact seemed to be almost a mere afterthought for Martino, who before playing a last song seemed to almost surprise herself by mentioning it. Brought to Rough Trade, the LP, a project with deeply personal contours, demonstrated to the fullest extent the development and professionalism of the band as musicians. Although Martino and Britt placed such emphasis on the importance of vivid and intense stimulation and creating a sense of high performance art, there seemed on the whole a gentle personality reflected by the band, and it’s easy to see how the duo could have lived simply in the wilderness, experimenting with recording and dedicating themselves to making music.
The band ended their set with a B-side track that Martino explained was the first song she and Britt had collaborated on. Support for the band came in the form of two other unique and experimental electronic acts, Salt Cathedral and Port St. Willow, as well as a special appearance of Geographer ahead of his Music Hall of Williamsburg show the next day. It’s evident from their live show that Stranger Cat has earned this well-deserved support from the music scene, and will continue to innovate and push boundaries within their evolving and innate sense of musicianship.
Stranger Cat continue to perform at various midwest dates through the end of the month, and then return to New York City to play Pianos June 2nd and support Emily Wells at Baby’s All Right June 17th.
Ruby Hoffman
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