Dublin based contemporary alt-pop artist Cat has been emerging onto the Irish music scene this year with her atmospheric and emotional debut single ‘Slipping’. Cat spoke to The Jumble Magazine about the new track, using music as an emotional release and being authentic as a queer female artist in Ireland.
Starting off, can you introduce yourself? What got you into making music?
Hey! I’m Cat. I’m a new Irish pop artist, what’s up?
I got into making music because singing and creating melodies has always been my outlet and the way I have stayed authentic to myself. I wanted to create music that is inviting for everyone and anyone to escape into and feel at home.
Your debut single ‘Slipping’ has just been released, what springs to mind when you think back to creating this track?
This track represents a very traumatic frame of mind that I remained in for a long time following a turbulent experience I went through. When I wrote “Slipping”, I was mid-way through saving myself from that situation, so the song saved my mental health in a big way and remains a statement of me standing up for myself.
It’s a huge release of emotions for me to get this song out.
Have you found that the weirdness of the past year has affected your ability to make music? How does it feel emerging as a musical artist into such a strange time?
The pandemic has had its ups and downs for me, personally. It prevented me from ending up in a bad (musical) relationship while also knocking me off kilter slightly from where I thought I was headed in my career. I found myself writing and creating the best music I ever have whilst keeping me on my toes. It feels like a once in a lifetime experience to be emerging as a new artist in these circumstances, there’s more space for me right now in the industry than I have felt there ever was before.
It’s clear that you care a lot about creating more authenticity in pop music, what’s the most important part of this for you?
I love pop music so much. It has been a massive part of my life for so long. I want to remain authentic in my pop music by never apologising for any of my lyrics, my image, how bold I am or anything else for that matter. Womxn in this industry deserve to be heard for who they really are in all shapes, colours and sizes. People need something real to hold on to in music and it’s so important to me that people can relate to the ‘realness’ of my music.
Who are your biggest influences musically?
Lady GaGa is a massive influence for me. She represents everything I stand for. I’m also hugely influenced by LP, Sam Smith, Grimes and Leonard Cohen. All for various reasons.
What’s one thing you can’t wait to do once the world is a bit more normal?
I’m sure every Artist will say the same thing here but playing live is something I miss hugely. I miss the personal connection I get with people by performing live on stage. It’s irreplaceable in the career of a performer like me.
Lastly, what’s coming up for you this year?
This year will be full of new music from me. I have so much up my sleeve for this year and I can’t wait to show all of you.
Keep up to date with Cat on Instagram, Twitter, and Soundcloud.
Interview Questions by Sam Dineen
The Jumble 