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The Cat Empire

The Cat Empire

The Cat Empire are an Australian jazz/funk band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1999. For most of the band's duration, the core members were Felix Riebl (lead vocals, percussion), Harry James Angus (trumpet, vocals), Will Hull-Brown (drums), Jamshid "Jumps" Khadiwhala (turntables, percussion), Ollie McGill (keyboards, backing vocals) and Ryan Monro (bass, backing vocals). Monro retired from the band in March 2021, while Angus, Hull-Brown and Khadiwhala all left in April 2022. They are often supplemented by The Empire Horns, a brass duo composed of Ross Irwin (trumpet) and Kieran Conrau (trombone), among others. Their sound is a fusion of jazz, funk, ska, and rock with heavy Latin influences.

Albums

2003 The Cat Empire
2005 Two Shoes
2006 Cities: The Cat Empire Project
2007 So Many Nights
2010 Cinema
2013 Steal the Light
2016 Rising With the Sun
2019 Stolen Diamonds
2023 Where the Angels Fall
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Latest Articles

News / Music
Cat Empire's Ollie McGill Wins Awards For Viral Hit Jingle
Surprise Rail Safety jingle hit wins gold and silver.
Reviews / Album
Album Review: The Cat Empire - Steal The Light
Actually, maybe the Cats (and this reviewer) are getting a little older, after all.
Reviews / Album
Album Review: The Cat Empire - Steal The Light
Add Graeme Base’s brilliant artwork and there’s not much to dislike here.
Reviews / Album
Album Review: The Cat Empire - Steal The Light
Like an audio holiday, Steal The Light shows that even after a decade in the game The Cat Empire have still got it.
News / Music
Cat Empire Frontman Signs Publishing Deal With Alberts
Felix Reibl signs world deal
News / Music
The Cat Empire To Embark On World Tour
Aussie shows locked in for September
News / Music
PREMIERE: The Cat Empire Return With New Video
Melbourne collective are back in the party with Brighter Than Gold
Features / Premiere
PREMIERE: The Cat Empire - Brighter Than Gold
Reviews / Live
Live Review: The Cat Empire & Flap!
If the band was nervous about the new outings, as indicated by them noting a few times, “We’ve never played this before”, then their voices, fingers and other music makers didn’t feel the pressure their heads did.
News / Music
Bluesfest Adds Australian And New Zealand Acts To Line-Up
Cat Empire, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Beasts Of Bourbon and more added to already massive line-up
News / Music
Cat Empire, Tinpan Orange Members Behind Viral Video
The Cat Empire plus Tinpan Orange equals Tangerine Kitty