Spotlight on Marvest will introduce you to the talented music makers in Ottawa performing FREE! shows as part of the Marvest offshoot of CityFolk.
Weird With Cats
Friday Sept 15, 2017 – 11:30 PM – Clocktower Brew Pub (575 Bank St)
What was your reaction to the news you’d be a part of Marvest and who was the first person you told?
Matt Francis (Vocals/Guitar): I was super stoked of course! I’ve been going to folkfest for years so to be a part of it in anyway is awesome. And I told my parents first as I was at their place for dinner when I found out.
Vibol Him(Guitar): I was ecstatic to learn we were accepted into Marvest. This is something I’ve wanted to play for a while and I’m glad we’re finally able to do it. The first person I told was my partner.
Dean VanDorsselaer (Bass): Over the moon. It’s a feeling of accomplishment. It’s an opportunity we’re all grateful for and we look forward to performing to a lot of new faces and having an amazing time.
Jared Burns (Drums): I was super pumped. We had been working at this for a few years now, and with a setback last year, it was nice to finally be able to be part of the lineup. The first person I told was actually a co-worker of mine.
Please describe your sound.
Matt: A messy garage rock attack on the simple act of story telling.
Vibol: We span a variety of different sounds but can be loosely described as folk rock. There are a lot of different influences in the band and I think they can all be heard throughout all of the songs we play.
Dean: We look at our music from different angles. We shift from upbeat to soft melody depending on your mood.
Jared: A heavy hitting, rhythm packed, clean, smooth blend of rock, pop, and punk.
How did you get started on your musical journey?
Matt: I had an urge to play in a band for years, it finally happened when I wasn’t even looking for it. Much like a love story.
Vibol: It’s actually the stereotypical guitarist story for me: I heard Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing for the first time and it absolutely floored me. I didn’t know that kind of emotion could be portrayed through guitar and that’s what got me hooked.
Dean: I grew up in a town where you had to make your fun. We turned to instruments and made noise. We taught ourselves and learned from each other. We played shows for friends and parties and honed our skills. Weird With Cats was born in Algonquin college when 2 students put together a little EP. I just kind of let myself in as their bass player. Soon after through ups and downs… We found ourselves as a four piece and continue to have fun.
Jared: I started playing drums on shoe boxes in my kitchen when I was a kid until my parents were able to get me a kit. I remember playing along to Offspring Smash over and over. That album really helped me perfect my skills and introduce me to a much broader range of music.
What can music fans expect from your show? Will you be playing or releasing any new music?
Matt: We hit the stage hard and we don’t stop. You will definitely hear a bunch of stuff you’ve never heard.
Vibol: They can definitely expect an upbeat show with awesome fun music you can really groove to. We definitely have new music and are working on getting it out there at the moment.
Dean: We’re looking to get back in the studio before the end of this month. We’re hoping to release another EP getting close to the New Year and finish our full length in the New Year.
Jared: I think they can expect some new tunes that many have not heard, and the same stage presence and banter that WWC is known for. We are working on releasing new music by the end of 2017. We have a number of new songs, just a matter of getting into the studio to get them down.
What artists are you hoping to catch during this year’s Cityfolk and Marvest?
Matt: Marvest- Tariq Anwar is one of my best friends and one of the best in the city. Make sure you catch both his sets!
Folkfest- Father John Misty might be the best thing I’ve heard in years. Can’t wait!
Vibol: The entire lineup is great, but I’m really hoping to see Broken Social Scene and Ghostly Hounds this year.
Dean: Tariq Anwar is a close friend of ours and we always look forward to seeing him perform.
Here’s the thing… All these Artists are worth your time. Every single one of them. Every artist on this bill has worked hard, and deserve a chance to be heard. Whoever you may end up seeing you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time. In a perfect world… We’d see them all.
Jared: Broken Social Scene, Tariq Anwar, Graven.
Connect with Weird With Cats:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2djVR1vAsIs]
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzQnSwqTTj4]