Singer/songwriter CAT — also known as Catherine Pierce — first turned heads as one-half of the band The Pierces. The Pierces made five full-length releases — starting with 2000’s Sony-released self-titled album — before calling a hiatus in August 2015. In those 15 years, The Pierces notably were labeled a Rolling Stone Breaking Artist, had the theme song to Pretty Little Liars, and toured with the world with Coldplay.
January 2017 brought the debut single from CAT, “You Belong To Me,” which premiered via CLASH. Downtown spoke with Catherine shortly after “You Belong To Me” came out, prior to the release of her second single “Hard To Be A Woman.” Catherine chatted about New York living and what’s coming up for her. CAT can be followed via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
When did you first move to New York?
Cat: I moved to New York City the summer of 2001. The attacks on the World Trade Center happened a few months later. My mom called me in a panic the morning of 9/11 and I watched from the window of my apartment as the second plane hit. My parents begged me to come back to Alabama, but I had already fallen in love with the city and wasn’t leaving.
Where was the first gig you ever played in Manhattan? What do you remember about it?
Cat: The first gig I played in NYC was at The Mercury Lounge. Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes was in the audience and he had someone send me a rose with his phone number backstage. We went on to date for five years and we were engaged for a bit. It didn’t work out due to us both being young and insane and partying too much, but we are still friends now and both living healthier lifestyles. So yeah, it was a memorable gig!
A year and a half ago, you and your sister announced that The Pierces were going on a hiatus. Did you immediately know that you would be putting out solo material?
Cat: Yes! As much as we loved being in a band together, we have both been dying to put out solo records for years. We are both excited that it’s finally happening.
Does a professional hiatus like the one you and Allison have at all affect your family relationship? I’d sure hope not!
Cat: We have actually become much closer now that we’re not working together. It’s tough being in a band with your sister no matter how much you like each other. It’s so nice to support each other in our solo endeavors too.
You just released your first single as a solo artist. How did you know your collaborators Jason and Leggy? Were they long-time friends?
Cat: I’ve known Jason Lader for a long time. I met him when he was doing Julian Casablancas’ first solo record. We reconnected in Los Angeles and started making music together. Leggy Langdon is my husband! He’s incredibly-talented and he and Jason work really well together. They both bring an incredible skill set but also have very different aesthetics. Somehow, the combination of the three of us made a little bit of magic.
New single aside, what else is coming up for you?
Cat: I’ve got about 20 songs in various phases of completion. I’m gonna roll out a few more singles and then an album later in the year. I’ve also been working on some cool visuals with Antony Langdon. There are videos on the way, too.
Any chance we’ll see you collaborate again with Steve Schiltz in the future?
Cat: Steve! I haven’t seen Steve in ages, but yes, I’m down!
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
Cat: Oh, I like to do lots of things. I’m currently designing a deck of tarot cards, which has been a long but really fun process. I’ve been making homemade lip balms and lotions too. I really enjoy dabbling in psychedelics. I think it’s good for the soul and the collective consciousness. They tap you back in to what’s important and true. I’d like to heavily dose our current president and rip open that sad, little mind.
Launched last year, The Meadows Music & Arts Festival was a two-day event launched by Founders Entertainment, the team behind Governors Ball. Headliners at Citi Field included Kanye West, J. Cole, Chance The Rapper, The 1975, Grimes and Metric. Food and drink vendors, as curated by The Infatuation, included Roberta’s, Dough, Arancini Bros., Luke’s Lobster and Momofuku Milk Bar. Other on-site attractions included the Bud Light Beer Garden, the Don Julio 1942 Truck, the Viceland Tour Bus, and Sober Meadows.
In turn, the bar is set very high for the 2017 edition — now a three-day event — which returns to Citi Field from Sept. 15 to 17. While the lineup has not yet been announced, more than 60 performers are promised among the four stages.
Chris Shiflett has been the lead guitarist of Foo Fighters — one of the world’s biggest rock bands — for over 15 years. Prior to joining Dave Grohl and company, Chris played guitar in No Use For A Name and Me First & The Gimme Gimmes. While the touring schedule of the Foos would be enough for most musicians, Chris always has a project in the works. Earlier this year, Chris released his third solo album, West Coast Town, via SideOneDummy Records.
In support of West Coast Town, Chris makes a return to New York on Apr. 6 at Rockwood Music Hall. Chris spoke to Downtown about his Rockwood gig and plenty more via e-mail. In the meantime, you can listen to Chris every other Monday as the host of the Walking The Floor podcast, which has hosted Dierks Bentley, Mike Ness, Brad Paisley, Matt Skiba, and Dwight Yoakam among its 57 episodes. Chris can be visited online at www.chrisshiflettmusic.com.
Where was the first gig you ever played in New York? Was it with No Use For A Name?
Chris Shiflett: It was at the Wetlands Preserve and yes, it was with No Use. Next time we came through was Warped Tour out on Long Island, and then the time after that was Coney Island High.
In New York, you have played both the smallest and largest venues over the years. Are New Yorkers different to play for than other city crowds?
Chris Shiflett: Well, New York is unlike any other city in the world, so yeah, I guess the shows there can be intense. Coming from California, I was always a little scared of New York when I first started going there but intrigued at the same time.
I remember your first solo EP came out under the name Jackson, which later evolved into Jackson United. Why did it take so long for your solo material to come out under the name Chris Shiflett?
Chris Shiflett: I never wanted to have it appear that those were solo records, but this time I just figured might as well. My friend Mitch Marine made me do it.
Who’s in your touring band?
Chris Shiflett: For this run of dates I’ve got Brian Whelan on guitar, Luke Adams on drums, and Muddy Stardust on the bass — a solid group of guys!
Chris Shiflett: We’ll probably play my entire new record and throw in a few covers to round it out. It’s kind of hard for people to have to sit through a whole show of songs they’ve never heard!
After your tour wraps, what’s coming up for you?
Chris Shiflett: Not sure exactly. There’s some summer Foo Fighter gigs. Gonna try to squeeze in a few more solo shows before things get too busy.
How has the experience of doing a podcast been for you? Is that something you can see yourself doing for years to come?
Chris Shiflett: I love doing the interviews. When else am I going to get a chance to sit down with Lucinda Williams or Merle Haggard and ask ‘em a bunch of fanboy questions? I’ll do it for as long as people want to listen.
I really enjoyed your podcast episode with Aaron Lee Tasjan. Are you aware that Aaron was in a band with sometimes-guitarist Rich Hinman called the Madison Square Gardeners?
Chris Shiflett: No! Small world.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
Chris Shiflett: I’ve got three young sons and they keep me pretty busy. I try to squeeze in a little surfing, boxing, soccer, and what-not when I can.
Do you have a favorite podcast beyond your own?
Chris Shiflett: There’s a bunch that I listen to: Jimmy Dore Show, WTF?, Intercepted With Jeremy Scahill, So That Happened, Ralph Nader Radio Hour, KPFA – Economic Update, Scheer Intelligence, Guardian Football Weekly — just to name a few!
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
Chris Shiflett: Not anymore, ’cause every time I go there, my favorite restaurants have closed and there are a bunch of new ones. I tend to just go where my wife says we should go.
James McCartney / Photo courtesy of Grandstand Media & Management
James McCartney / Photo courtesy of Grandstand Media & Management
While James McCartney notably played on the acclaimed Flaming Pie and Driving Rain albums of father Paul — also co-writing two songs on the latter studio release — 2010’s Available Light was his first crack at recording his own solo effort. Since that debut, James has put out two studio albums and one EP. His latest release is 2016’s The Blackberry Train, as helmed by Steve Albini, a man well-known for his work with Nirvana, The Pixies and PJ Harvey.
In support of The Blackberry Train, James will be performing at Rockwood Music Hall on Apr. 5 on the Marshmallow Maiden Tour. James spoke to Downtown about a variety of topics, including his history with New York and how he likes to spend his non-musical time. More info on James McCartney can be found at www.jamesmccartney.com.
Where was the first live gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?
James McCartney: Rockwood? I think. Can’t remember. Atmospheric.
Did you spend a lot of your childhood in New York?
James McCartney: Not really. Went there for Summer holidays.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in our city?
James McCartney: Not really but love all the veggie and vegan ones. Hampton Chutney Co.?
I remember watching you perform on Letterman. Was that performance one of your proudest moments? Or is appearing on television not the biggest deal for you?
James McCartney: Not one of my “proudest” moments but was cool exposure. Love appearing on television, if it’s the right thing to do! Loved being on Letterman though. He’s a cool guy too.
Steve is known to call himself an engineer, not a producer. But does he get involved with the arrangements or craft of the songs?
James McCartney: Not at all, really. The whole point is to do it oneself.
Dhani Harrison appears on your latest album. Have you two always been friends?
James McCartney: Yes. We grew up together, inadvertently.
I know that you played on the Flaming Pie album. Had you recorded anything in a studio before that? Did you play in garage bands growing up?
James McCartney: Demos but not professional recordings which have been released. Didn’t play in garage bands growing up. Wish I had, but also kinda glad I didn’t and was thus different.
Touring aside, what’s coming up for you?
James McCartney: Everything? Yes, everything!
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
James McCartney: Doing Art! Yoga. Being in nature. Going to gigs. Traveling. Reading. Learning. Studying. Practicing in my own way. Living.
What was your favorite album of 2016?
James McCartney: None of them? Seriously, I don’t really listen to loads of music, but to give you an answer, A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead.
Finally, James, any last words for the kids?
James McCartney: Be strong, wise, stay true to yourselves, learn, have fun, enjoy, be peaceful, listen to your heart, be open-minded. Play, write, don’t think about it all too much, but keep at it! Play, play, play — write, write, write!
There are a lot of interesting facts about the band known as Occurrence. One such thing is that the duo, Ken Urban and Cat Hollyer, live in different states and trade demos via Dropbox; Ken is in Manhattan while Cat is based in Kansas. Another factoid is that Ken is a prolific playwright, and his show Nibbler runs through Mar. 18 at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. Cat, meanwhile, writes for Hallmark and has done voices for their greeting cards.
In support of late 2016’s The Past Will Last Forever, Occurrence will re-group for a Manhattan gig at Rockwood Music Hall on Mar. 25. Downtown spoke with both Ken and Cat via e-mail, who offered grouped-together responses to the Q&A. Occurrence can be followed via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Occurrence: We met our freshman year in college in 1992. We lived in the same dorm. And we got close when we did a semester abroad in London our senior year. Ken heard Cat sing in a London club and 20 years later we are in a band together.
When it came time to choose your band name, was there any fear that a lot of people wouldn’t be able to spell it correctly with ease?
Occurrence: Ken takes full responsibility for the stupid name. But Cat doesn’t think it’s stupid because she is kind.
Where was the first live gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?
Occurrence: There’s only been one. Due to where we live — Cat lives in Lawrence, Kansas and Ken lives in New York City — we have mostly worked virtually. But after playing live at Rockwood last fall, we realized how much fun it is making music in the same room. So our new record, we will all be in the same room. Johnny is also joining the band as a second vocalist. And it’s all due to our first show.
Occurrence: Ken was there for the whole mixing of the album. It was great to be there in a building where [David] Bowie was recording his last records. It’s so sad that it’s gone. RIP.
Rockwood gig aside, what is coming up for Occurrence?
Occurrence: We are writing and recording new songs in Washington Heights in Ken’s studio, a.k.a. the bedroom.
When not busy with Occurrence, how do you like to spend your free time?
Occurrence: Ken is a playwright and he has a show running in New York, plus new plays next season in Boston and D.C. He is not good at free time. Cat writes for Hallmark and does voiceovers. She has two lovely kids and spends a lot of time hanging out with them.
Every year when March rolls around, music fans in New York City know to expect a major concert benefit being presented by City Winery’s Michael Dorf. This year is no exception as Mar. 6 brings The Music Of Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall, the 14th installment of Michael’s Music Of series. Among the artists slated to perform the works of the Queen Of Soul are Melissa Etheridge, Kenny Loggins, Glen Hansard, Rhiannon Giddens, G. Love, Sam Moore, CeeLo Green, Todd Rundgren, Antibalas, Allen Stone, Taj Mahal, Living Colour, and Bettye LaVette. Arguably the most prominent and impressive lineup ever assembled by Michael and team.
Downtown had the pleasure of speaking with six of the evening’s performers: Kenny Loggins, Sam Moore, Ron Pope, G. Love, Ruthie Foster, and Richard Thompson. Few artists can bring entertainers of all genres together like Aretha Franklin, and this Q&A helps explain why that is. 100% of the net proceeds from the Mar. 6 event are given to music education organizations for underprivileged youth, including Young Audiences New York, Little Kids Rock, and Church Street School Of Music; well over $1 million has been raised through prior events.
More on Michael Dorf and his event series can be found at www.musicof.org. Those looking to catch a public dress rehearsal of the Carnegie Hall event can try finding tickets via the City Winery website.
Do you remember the first time you heard Aretha Franklin? Or at least the first song by her you’d heard?
Sam Moore: I’ve known Aretha since she was a teenager playing piano for her father the famous Reverend C.L. Franklin. That’s around 60 years ago.
Ron Pope: There was never a time in my life before Aretha. Her voice was always there. I remember singing along to “Respect” as a really little kid. Sometimes I’d sing lead, sometimes I’d sing the background parts. I remember when I learned that she was singing the word “propers” in that song; when I was little, I always thought it was “popcorn.”
Ruthie Foster: I grew up listening to Aretha. Her gospel recordings with her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin, were a mainstay in our house when I was a little girl.
G. Love: I’m thinking that I surely grew up listening to the sounds of Aretha on the radio my whole life. I do remember my parents being crazy about the soundtrack for this movie The Big Chill, and I’m pretty sure “Natural Woman” was on that cassette. They wore it out! As I grew up and into music my Uncle Billy turned me on to Booker T & The MGs, who were the Stax Records backing band and recorded many of Aretha’s hits with her. So I always loved Aretha and the sounds behind her.
Richard Thompson: It would have been “Respect.” I was at school over in London, and that must have been 1964? It’s the first record of Aretha’s that got much airplay.
Do you have a favorite Aretha song?
Kenny Loggins: “What A Fool Believes” — I totally went to school on her reinvention.
Sam Moore: Well, she won the Grammy for my song “Hold On I’m Coming” in 1981, and I’ve stolen her arrangement done by the brilliant Arif Martin for my live performances. I recorded one of her big hits written by Ahmet Ertegun, “Don’t Play That Song For Me,” and I’ve heard her performing it and her shows with my arrangement.
Ron Pope: “Baby, I Love You” is my very favorite song of Aretha’s; it has everything I want in a record. Her lead vocal is lights out, the harmonies she sings with her sisters are interesting and effective, Jimmy Johnson’s guitar is so damn smooth driving it all along, they have King Curtis and those horn parts that feel iconic but are still understated. The recording is absolutely everything. The Swampers and King Curtis!? Unreal! And it’s like two minutes long! You want to explain to someone why she’s the Queen? Play them that!
Ruthie Foster: Her rendition of “Amazing Grace” is my favorite!
Richard Thompson: I love her version of “You Are My Sunshine.”
Where was the first gig you ever played in New York City? What do you remember about it?
Sam Moore: Oh my goodness. The Apollo Theater on the package as an opening act in 1963, I believe. I remember legendary female comedian Moms Mabley telling me, after Dave [Prater] and I sort of phoned in a performance because there were very few people in the house at the time we went on, “not to be lazy on stage and to get out there, even if there’s only three people in the audience and give them the show they paid their money to see! Do your best don’t ever shortchange the house, even if it’s just the waiters and waitresses at a club you’re playing as your career progresses.” Her words have never left me since and every time I walk out on stage I strive to give the audience 100% or more of me and my vocal gift.
Ron Pope: My first real gig in New York was at The Bitter End when I was about 19 or 20, playing with my band The District. I remember feeling excited. Here I was, just some kid from Georgia playing a stage Bob Dylan had been on! Lots of our friends came out since it was our first show — and we begged them. Afterwards, Paul and Kenny from The Bitter End were so complimentary of the band, and we established a relationship that put us back on that stage at least 200 times over the next few years. No matter how many times I go to that club, I’ll never forget that first night.
Ruthie Foster: My first gig in New York City was at a place called Terra Blues, just off Bleecker and Thompson in The Village. The blues artist — and actor — Guy Davis was playing and took a break, I talked to him for awhile about music and told him that I played and sang to and had just moved from Texas. He let me play during his breaks that night. I had a gig two nights a week at that venue for three years afterwards!
Kenny Loggins: Two months before I played for the first time in New York City, I was there as a tourist. When I walked past Carnegie Hall, I said to my girlfriend, “Maybe someday I’ll get to play there.” Ironically, two months later I played there with Jimmy Messina as the opening act for Delaney & Bonnie and Billy Preston.
G. Love: My first gig, aside from busking in Washington Square Park a couple times in 1991 on a road trip down from Skidmore College — where I went to school for a year — would’ve been The Grand for our showcase for the New Music Seminar. I remember the crowds were a bit tougher than the amorous crowds we had achieved at the Irish pubs in Boston but we kept our head down and played that shit proper. Right after that things started clicking and we played Brownies, Cafe Sinead, The Bottom Line and CBGBs Gallery, where we scored our first deal with Epic Records in 1993.
Richard Thompson: It was the Fillmore East, 1970. The bill was something like Fairport Convention — my band — Savoy Brown and Traffic. Bill Graham was at the side of the stage as we came off, and said, “Wow! I’ve never seen that before.” We were feeling quite pleased with ourselves, till he added: “I’ve never seen a band go onstage not knowing what the second number was going to be!”
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
Sam Moore: There are so many great ones. I haven’t really been in New York a lot in the past couple of years.
Ron Pope: Awash on 6th Street, for sure. As I tour, I try to find Ethiopian food that good all over the world, but it never stacks up to Awash! When I lived in The Village, I’d eat there at least twice a week. When I come home to New York from the road, that’s the first place I want to eat.
Ruthie Foster: I recently visited and played New York City and had a great experience at a wonderful restaurant called Khe-Yo in TriBeCa, that’s become my favorite! It’s has a lot of Laotian-inspired dishes which are great for sharing with friends.
G. Love: That’s a tough one, but I sure love Joseph Leonard’s and The Diner in Brooklyn.
Richard Thompson: I love Avra, the Greek seafood restaurant. I think it’s at 48th and Lex.
What’s coming up for you besides this show at Carnegie Hall?
Sam Moore: On Thursday night, the 9th, I will be at the Beacon Theater with a bunch of amazing artists at the God’s Love We Deliver fundraiser, and then I’m going to Scottsdale, Arizona the weekend of Mar. 18 at the Celebrity Fight Night tribute to a dear friend who we lost last year, Muhammad Ali. I’m also in the studio recording an album project actually a couple of album projects with the award-winning and most amazing producer, an artist Rudy Perez. Rudy has an album launching in the next couple of weeks, and the single from that album is a duet I was humbled to participate on, a little song written by Charlie Chaplin called “Smile.”
Ron Pope: I will be back in October to play at Terminal 5. I can’t wait for that one; I’ve never played there but I’ve seen so many incredible bands on that stage.
Ruthie Foster: I have U.S. and European tours coming up with my new CD on the horizon! Joy Comes Back is the title; it’s a celebration of all the transitions in my life, love and music since my last recording.
Kenny Loggins: My new children’s book: a reimagining of Footloose in which Jack, now a zookeeper, secretly lets all the zoo animals out of their cages to dance under a full moon.
G. Love: I’m writing this in Byron Bay, Australia, where I performed last night at the Byron Bay Surf Festival. Next stop is NYC, and the day after Carnegie Hall, I fly to Phoenix to start a month-long West Coast tour with my band Special Sauce. The original trio is still going strong closing in on 25 years!
Richard Thompson: I’m out the whole of April, and I’ll be fairly local a couple of times — Tarrytown on Apr. 14 and Port Washington Apr. 19. I’m also releasing two acoustic records, Acoustic Classics 2 and Acoustic Rarities, probably in May.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
Richard Thompson: Listen to Aretha! There is such a thing as musical intelligence. Her voice is at the service of the song, not the other way ’round. She doesn’t show off, she uses her extraordinary vocal gifts sparingly to emphasize the emotional peaks of the songs.
Sam Moore: I actually working with my wife on a project with Florida International University developing curriculum to teach kids grades K through 12 the great and rich histories, legacies and contributions of the amazing American-born talented musical artists of past decades and generations who brought — to not only American culture — but the world the gift of music all of the joy it brings.
Also, my great-niece Courtney Trice is going to be duetting with me at Carnegie Hall. Not bragging or prejudice, she is amazing! I am so proud to have the pleasure and joy of introducing her to the world the right way and I want to thank Michael Dorf and his entire organization for affording me the opportunity to pay honor and tribute to my “Ree Ree” and do my portion of her salute justice with Courtney and her powerful vocal abilities at my side performing my duet version from my Overnight Sensational album of “Don’t Play That Song.”
Ron Pope: 10 years ago, I sang on the subway platform to make a living, and now I’m playing at Carnegie Hall. Whatever you decide to do with your life, stay focused and do it with your whole heart. You’ll end up where you’re supposed to be.
Ruthie Foster: My words for the kids would be to stay true to who you really are and when times get tough remember that music is a healer. It’s definitely been my light!
G. Love: Be original, be passionate, bring enthusiasm, energy and love. Make a connection and expect magic to happen. Leave it all onstage every night and stay on the hustle. It’s about the journey in music there’s no top to the mountain — you just gotta keep on climbing and enjoy the view! The best thing about music is that every night can be your best show ever, and that’s what I say the minute I wake up on show days, “Tonight I will play my greatest show ever.” Then I beat it the next night.
Kenny Loggins: Follow your dreams. They will always take you somewhere fun.
