WATCH: Catgod - 'Sometimes I Care for You'

I often ramble on about how much I miss my dear Oxford and all of the gorgeous (both inside and out) music pals that I have there. Even more this year. Included in that group are Catgod - siblings Robin and Cat were like a little second family to me while I lived in the city. Between shows, I helped them out with some PR when I should probably have been writing essays, and more importantly, spent many an evening in G&Ds consuming brownie sundaes and pizza bagels with them. Robin and Cat front the Oxford-based collective, alongside Patrick Bolton on piano, George Purnell on drums and Casper Miles on bass and electric guitar. A veritable group of local music superstars if ever I heard of one. 

I was delighted to receive an email from the group recently, sharing news of their brand new track Sometimes I Care For You. It's out in the world now, and they've just released a lovely music video too, made by Paddy during lockdown, which you can watch below. Bit of soothing for the soul, I think. It is "an ode to the isolation we feel when we cannot say how we feel or express ourselves and the heartache which comes from not knowing where you stand with your lover." Cat takes the lead on this one, with Robin's own vocals blending in perfectly. Brilliant vocalists individually, something near-heavenly happens when their vocals combine. Perhaps it's a sibling thing. Soothing orchestration takes nothing away from the vocals here, they're almost lulling you in with this one. 

The track is the first of three singles to be taken from their new album Born Again, due in spring 2021. It was recorded in Foel Studios in Wales and produced by another Oxford legend, Tim Turan, who has worked with the like of RIDE and Supergrass. Album details soon! 

Follow Catgod - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Catgod - 'Feel It Go Round / Blood'

A quick post today to share the news that my wonderful friends in Catgod last week released a double single featuring the tracks Feel It Go Round and Blood, which are both sublime. There's something really special about these guys, and as we met and became friends in Oxford their sound takes me right back there which is always a joy. Fronted by sibling Robin and Cat, their harmonies are so brilliant but give the effect of being totally effortless, while the overall sound and combination of instruments is magical.



First track Feel It Go Round is a completely new one, perfect for those Summer evenings, while Blood is a reworking of an old track for the band. Get listening to both now, and check out more of their music on Bandcamp here.

Follow Catgod - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

TRACK PREMIERE: Robin C-M - 'Sun'

It's been just over two years since I graduated and moved back home from Oxford - I'm really craving being back there, and one of the things I miss most is the lovely bunch of friends I made in the local music scene. Robin Christensen-Marriott is one of the best - known and respected across the local music scene as a brilliant producer and musician, I first met him through local Sofar Sounds shows and saw him playing in various bands (Neverlnd, Roberto y Juan, Catgod) during my time in the city.

I'm really excited to be running this premiere and sharing the news that Robin has spent the last six months working on some new music, the first to be released under his own name, Robin C-M. Sun is the first of three tracks that will come together to form an EP later in the year. Perfect for relaxed Summer evenings, the track is a dreamy acoustic number, which Robin describes as "an ode to the winter sunshine and a reminder for me to stay lazy and remember I need time to rest." Taking this reminder to heart, Robin explains that he's been working on this project "only when I have felt like it; doing the takes all in one go. It's made for a dreaming flowing sound that brings me back to home." The track is released into the world on Tuesday but I've got a sneaky early listen for you below - enjoy! 

   

Follow Robin C-M - Facebook. 

WATCH: Catgod - 'Sleep In'

My beautiful friends Catgod have shared their latest single Sleep In, just the right level of wonderful to leave me feeling a little homesick for their hometown, and my second home, Oxford, where we've had many an evening spent enjoying live music or eating brownies (never simultaneously, though that does sound pretty glorious.) Hearing the track for the first time while re-reading The Hobbit, it struck me that with its flute parts and soothing acoustic guitar, the track would fit perfectly in a Tolkien film adaptation - never a bad thing. As ever, Cat and Robin's vocals compliment one another perfectly in the song, but the closing flute solo really does steal the show for me. Sublime work!

They've filmed their first ever music video for the track, directed and edited by talented Oxford-based photographer Milly Cope, who has worked on several photoshoots with the band in the past. Check out some of her work here! It's a lo-fi, hazy video which perfectly matches the track and (as is always a sign of a brilliant music video) even features a cute dog. 10/10 from me!

Follow Catgod - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Catgod - 'Heartbeat in My Hand' EP

It's been out for a couple of weeks now, but just in case the latest release from my pals Catgod passed you by, here it is! They're following up 2017 EP Someone Love with their utterly sublime Heartbeat In My Hand EP. The collection of four tracks opens with the title track, instantly showering us in those beautiful vocal harmonies of brother and sister duo Robin and Cat. Recent addition Patrick Bolton, on keys, takes centre stage for a moment in the almost understated opener, which gravitates around the instrument. While the first track lures us in gently, Keep My Promises is it's musical opposite, a much wilder track, lyrically and musically. Flute solos included. The pace is taken down a notch for tearjerker Let Go, before Robin takes over lead vocal responsibilities for closing track Owing You. 

As a band that I've been friends with from their early days, I'm incredibly proud of the evolution their sound has taken on. From their beginnings as Roberto y Juan with the Monster Love EP in early 2016, the band became a collective, working with musicians from across the Oxford music scene and beyond to try out different styles, organically becoming Catgod as it is now. Pretty wonderful they are, too.

Follow Catgod - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

WATCH: Catgod - 'Let Go'

My beautiful and incredibly talented friends Catgod (fronted by siblings Robin and Cat who I'm fairly sure I'm a long lost sibling of...) have recently shared this beautiful live video of Let Go, filmed alongside the Thames outside their Oxford studio. The track is the third from their upcoming Heartbeat In My Hand EP (out this Friday!) and, in contrast to the likes of Keep My Promises, also on the upcoming EP, and earlier single Someone Love, it is far more delicate, with its slower pace allowing the vocal harmonies of Robin and Cat to completely shine through and become a highlight of the track. Catch Catgod live in Oxford this Saturday at The Cellar (it's a free gig, no excuses) - info here!

Follow Catgod - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

INTERVIEW: Catgod

Another week, another exciting interview! Caught up with my pals in Catgod to chat about their stunning new tune Heartbeat In My Hand and their plans for the rest of the year. They headline The Islington in London this Friday and Oxford's The Cellar on 23rd June - I implore you to get along to a show if you can, they're a very talented bunch and always put on a fun live show!

(c) Milly Cope

First up, who are Catgod and how would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t discovered your music yet? 

We find it hard to describe our sound, probably because we’ve been experimenting with lots of musical styles over the past year, and finding ours in the process. We think the newest single is closest to it. We’ve definitely been influenced by legends like John Martyn and Bob Dylan and have morphed this into an ambient folk/indie sound with an edge. We hope it sounds like going to a calm familiar place in your mind and having new thoughts about who and what you are - which can be scary and dark at times. 

The band centres around the vocal harmonies of brother and sister duo Robin and Cat (I miss you guys!!) - when did you first start to sing together? 

(We miss you lots toooooo!!) A year and a bit ago Cat moved back to Oxford from London. We’d been quite detached because she’d been there for years. We started singing together to help her through a difficult time when she moved home - it felt like something positive to focus on. I’ve always been focused on music and this new relationship/connection combined in a beautiful way. 

You’ve got a new tune called Heartbeat in Your Hand coming out this week. What is the track about and how did the process of writing and recording this tune vary to others you’ve released in the past?

It started off as a love song I sent my girlfriend Iman for her birthday. The idea for which started when I noticed a pulse in my hand whilst I was running. I’d been thinking of how I can forget or take for granted the good things in life and sometimes the people close to me; and how I couldn't do without them. It marks the first single Cat is singing the lead vocals for as well as the new addition of pianist Patrick Bolton to the band. 

To celebrate the release of the track you’ve got a show coming up at London’s The Islington on 13th April and Oxford’s The Cellar on 23rd June. What can fans expect from the shows?

You can expect some impassioned air grabs and emotional, ethereal vibes. 

Talking of live shows - which of your tracks are your favourites to play live? Why? 

We enjoy playing Someone Love from our last EP - I particularly enjoy dancing with my flute. We also enjoy playing I’m Innocent which has some funky Egyptian tabla and Talking Heads-esque vocals.

Beyond these two shows, what are your plans for the Summer - any exciting festival slots lined up?

There are a few coming up. We’re very excited about playing Cornbury. 

You’re pretty well integrated into the music scene in Oxford with Robin regularly producing for local acts. Who are you favourite local artists at the minute? 

Premium Leisure - with our moonlighting guitarist Chris Barker. Le Feye - with another moonlighting drummer Caspar Miles - not that we’re bias! + of course Self Help! Soooo many more. Makes us feel very passionate about the Oxford scene. 

On that note and finally - what’s in your headphones at the moment? 

Oxford band Death of the Maiden’s new single Soldier, and our fab cousin Poppy Ajudha's new EP Femme.

LISTEN: Catgod - 'Heartbeat In My Hand'

My absolute favourite Oxford legends Catgod have shared a new tune! It's called Heartbeat In My Hand and is taken from an album of love songs that Robin gave his girlfriend for her 21st birthday. Writing of the track, he explains that "the idea [for the track] started when I noticed a pulse in my hand whilst I was running. I had been thinking of how I can forget or take for granted the good things in life and sometimes the people close to me, and how I couldn't do without them." The track gradually took form through a session of live recording and gigging - listen to the finished product below! Listen out for a live session from the band tonight for BBC Introducing in Oxford promoting the new single!

Follow Catgod online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Catgod - 'Keep My Promises'

Fantastic news - my extremely talented friends Catgod are back with a crazy new tune entitled Keep My Promises. Hailing from Oxford, the band are a musical collective combining soul and trip-hop sounds with the beautiful vocal harmonies of brother and sister duo Robin and Cat. They released their debut record Ready When You Are around a year ago and have since followed it up with the Someone Love EP but this is their first new material for a few months - I'm loving the track (and especially the superb artwork from Oxford artist Iman Mahdy of the Young Women's Music Project.)

You can catch Catgod live in London in a couple of weeks at Surya in King's Cross, performing a co-headline with Holly Redford Jones for Tigmus. All the info and tickets on the Facebook event here.

Follow Catgod online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

GIG NEWS: Flyte at The Cellar, Oxford (1st Oct)

Some super exciting Oxford gig news emerged yesterday - my pals and total legends Catgod will be supporting Flyte on their show at The Cellar alongside another brill local band 31hours. Being back at home after graduating from university in Oxford the thing I miss most is the music scene, and gigs like this make me desperate to return - it really isn't one to miss, even on a school night! If you're new to Flyte, taking a listen of their beautiful recent debut album should be enough to convince you how great a gig it'll be. Need more convincing?! Listen to this stunning Alvvays cover from the Flyte chaps. 

As well as the headliners being superb, Catgod are going from strength to strength following the release of their latest EP Someone Love with festival performances aplenty and their own headline show at the same venue back in July. Check out the total tune I'm Innocent below!

31hours released their Rockpools EP last year and they're hard at work fundraising to release their debut album physically - check out the campaign here and listen to Royal Box below!



Get along to the show and turn up early to support local, homegrown talent! Register your interest and grab tickets through the show's Facebook Event here.

LISTEN: Catgod release 'Someone Love' EP

Exciting day for new music! Dan Croll's new record Emerging Adulthood is finally out, and my Oxford pals Catgod have just released their Someone Love EP today, the title track of which has been making waves on Radio 6 with Lauren Laverne choosing it as her 'Headphones Moment' a few weeks ago. The EP is atmospheric, funky, experimental and all kinds of beautiful, and I'm particularly digging I'm Innocent which as quickly become a live favourite at the shows I've caught the band playing over the last few months!

Following their EP launch show in Oxford last night and a slot at Truck Festival today alongside Low Island, Slate Hearts, Coldredlight and more, they're carrying on full steam ahead, playing an intimate EP launch show at The Harrison in London's King's Cross next Thursday (27th July) with Laish and Anna McRae in support - tickets for that show here! 

LISTEN: Catgod release single 'Someone Love'

New music Monday! My Oxford pals Catgod have released Someone Love, the first track from their upcoming EP of the same name which is due out in July. It was premiered last week by Gigslutz who wrote that "flowing with sweeping harmonies, it’s an eclectic and emotion-strewn fusion of genres, resulting in a soaring, mesmerising soundscape". Go listen!

If you're in Oxford you can catch Catgod at Tandem Festival (tickets) and Happy Valley Festival (tickets), both taking place over the weekend of 16-18th June. 

LIVE: Hudson Scott, Catgod and Coldredlight for IVW at The Cellar (28/1/17)

On Saturday night I attended my second gig of the year, a show for Independent Venue Week in one of Oxford's best indie venues, The Cellar, located underground down a little alley-way right in the centre of town. In the day, the venue hosted their first ever panel discussion, intriguingly entitled The Dos and Don'ts of Live Music, aimed at musicians, promoters and those with an interest in what is a pretty lively music scene here in Oxford. The speakers on the line-up (which you can find more about on the event for the discussion here) had a lot of really interesting things to say and the venue was rammed - perhaps helped by the fact they opened up the bar - it was lovely to have such a visual, physical reminder of all the great people who work in music or have an interest in it (I think I fit somewhere in the middle) around the city, a few of whom I've had the pleasure of meeting through Tigmus and Sofar Sounds.

After emerging from the venue whilst it was still light (a bizarre moment), I headed home for a bit, trekking back to the venue later in the night for their IVW gig, which was just as busy as the talk earlier in the day! Opening up the night were Coldredlight, a local female-fronted duo who I've been hearing about a lot recently but hadn't caught live yet. There was a lot of support for them in the room and an air of celebration as they had just released their new track Bloom, which you can listen to below!

Next up, one of my favourite local bands, Catgod took to the stage to carry on the party. The album launch for their wonderful debut record Ready When You Are was my last gig of 2016, and it feels as if they're just getting better and better as time passes. Cat and Evie deliver beautiful vocals and there's a really exciting and infectious energy as Robin, leading the band on bass and vocals, dances his way around the stage, whilst Henry and George, on guitar and drums respectively, offer impressive solos. I'm excited to hear that Catgod are supporting at an upcoming Tigmus show, Holly Redford Jones' EP launch at Fusion Arts on 18th Feb, and I highly recommend coming along if you can! I'd recommend a particular track but I'm a big fan of the whole record so I'll leave it below for you to do as you wish...



Finishing up the evening, Hudson Scott, who I'd seen supporting Foals back in November 2015... I remember really enjoying their set and being gutted that I couldn't find them on any social media (perhaps I wasn't looking well enough!) But all solved now - they've got a little three track EP up online (below) and recent release Panning For Gold is pretty fun too. Their set went down a treat - who doesn't love a trumpet solo?! The lead singer (who I think I'm right in saying *is* Hudson Scott... though I want to say that they're a band, and not a soloist with a backing band) has a pretty unique voice which sets the tunes apart, and on stage he reminded me a little of Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires (not that I've seen them live, personally, but what else is Youtube for?)


It was a great evening and a brilliant showcase of local talent, with a really lovely atmosphere, a feeling that we were all there to support local music. So that's it for this year's Independent Venue Week, but in truth, every week should be IVW! It's a little like the "a dog is for life, not just for Christmas" notion... if you don't want to see music venues closing, get out and listen to live music locally!