Premiere: Meet Whoopie Cat and their latest video, Gentle Goodbye

Working with a bit more a blues-infused take on rock music, Melbourne five-piece Whoopie Cat are a band that we wouldn't typically cover on Pilerats, but there's something a touch different to the group that makes them feel like more than just your typical blues-rock ensemble. Their latest single Gentle Goodbye feels like a song of epic proportions, uniting these triumphant guitar riffs with soaring vocals and punching percussion for a track that blurs these genre boundaries a little and offers something a touch different to your stock-standard rock tune. It's dark and moody, but there's a slight shading of something more bright and uplifting edging through the thickly-layered instrumental - it's something different; something you wouldn't typically expect - and that's a thing we strive to highlight on Pilerats.

It arrives ahead of a multi-state national tour that'll take the band across the east coast through March/April, celebrating their single release while also teasing what's bound to be a big year ahead. "This tour is huge for us - [we're] super keen to travel interstate with the band and rock the east coast," says the band's guitarist Jesse Juzwin on the tour. "The new clip looks into the darker side of the conscious and questions the media and our unhealthy distraction with it. We hope people connect with our message and can take something from the video, its a wake up call to those who have become caught up in fear." Watch the single's new video clip below, and then introduce yourself to the band before their big year ahead - they're definitely an act to get excited about.

Tell us about yourself?

We are a five-piece progressive blues band from Melbourne, Australia focussed on creating and spreading our unique sound and message. We have recorded an EP as well as a full-length album and are ready to embark on our first east coast tour of Australia.

What’s the vibe music-wise?

Our music is groovy, bluesy and soulful with bursts of heavy rock and roll. The songs tend to build from chill and gentle melodies into huge grooves and riffs. Vocally the tones sway from sweet and gentle to raw and powerful. Themes of the songs cover love, spirituality, personal growth, drug use, loss and transformation.

What are your production and writing processes like?

Each song has a different approach in the writing process, but typically Dan or Jesse will write a melody for guitars and vocals and bring it to practice, the rest of the band will add parts and slowly build the song over a series of jams in the coming months. Production wise we like to be involved in the recording and mixing process, bouncing ideas of each other and the engineer. We strive to get a crisp and clean tone and perfect the timing, record it and then polish it in the mixing and mastering stages.

Can you tell us about your latest single/video, Gentle Goodbye?

We chose Gentle Goodbye for our single and video as we feel it has one of the stronger messages from the Illusion of Choice album. Story wise; it follows the protagonist through a journey through fear and unconsciousness into love and freedom. We decided to represent this visually with a spin on the story of Plato’s cave. We see a lot of society is chained to the media and that it can be a problem when people take it as reality. It’s a sad story but we feel that it is a necessary wake up call to those who are stuck in a state of fear.

What does 2019 have in store for you?

2019 sees us travelling interstate for more shows, working with our booking agent Little Wing to play more gigs and festivals and working on new music for the next album. Were excited to be playing with some huge bands this year and are keen to get out and socialise with our peers. We’re going to release fresh new merch to take on tour and sell online for our overseas fans.

Where can we find more of your music?

Our EP Whoopie Cat and our LP Illusion of Choice are on our Bandcamp, YouTube and Spotify for download and physical purchase.

Tour Dates:

Follow Whoopie Cat: FACEBOOK