Burleigh Heads: Former The Cat Empire lead vocalist/rapper and trumpet player Harry James Angus will bring an enigmatic new solo set and some signature grooves to Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in November.

Joining him in this incredible Gold Coast live music offering is drumming sensation Freyja Hooper (pictured), who placed third in New South Wales for her senior HSC music grade in 2011 (impressive!), not to mention the multitude of awards that followed.

A self-proclaimed “young drummer” who is “really interested in creation, ideas and thoughts”, Hooper and Angus have develed into the depths of creation once again, birthing a powerful duo connection which speaks to our times and shows off their incredible musicianship.

“I like putting time aside to think,” Hooper said.  

“I like perspective. I love timing. I like it when things connect. When things develop.”

After 20 years of world-wide success, Angus is exploring his musical world anew, and can’t wait to bring his show to Gold Coast artists, music lovers and the Burleigh community.

Stories (little and large) have played a crucial role in Angus’s life, and the born-and-bred Melburnian has been telling, listening and reading them his entire life.

“These little stories have provided me with hours of entertainment, just me in the lounge room,” he said.

“Sometimes my long-suffering wife will patiently listen as I stumble through an idea. But usually, it’s just me – laughing at my own jokes, lip trembling at my own tragedies, watching the characters come alive – and the whole story just unfurls, eventually, like a patchwork sail,” Angus said.

For Angus, music has always been a constant, from his early years as a member of the National Boys’ Choir to forced piano practice growing up.

Then there was the day he picked up a trumpet as a young schoolboy (because all of the saxophones were taken) and thus entered the intoxicating world of jazz and as the super-charged and highly-skilled trumpeter we know him.

After immersing himself in various school jazz troupes and sneaking into Melbourne’s best live venues in high school, Angus then went on to perform at cafes, back when they were attached to a furniture store, scoring him $70 and all the free focaccias he wanted in his late teens.

But in 2001, his life soon took a weaponised change of pace as Angus gained rapid success when he joined five other jazz mates to create the multi-platinum, international-touring sensation, The Cat Empire, which he continued for two decades.

But now it’s time for Angus to dip his trumpet into something new and stoke that creative flame within, as he brings a new sound with Hooper to Mo’s at Burleigh Heads on November 24. (But don’t worry, there will still be some Cat Empire vibes for those hard-core fans).

There will be limited capacity and this evening will sell-out as it is an intimate setting.

However, dance shoes are still essential.

This incredible Gold Coast live music weekend at Burleigh Heads is one to mark on the calendar, stat.

Harry James Angus and Freyja Hooper play at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse on November 24. Mo’s is at 6/36 Central Drive, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Get your tickets at Mo’s here.

Don’t forget to send us all your live music Sunshine Coast, live music Brisbane, and live music Gold Coast, news, reviews, and gigs here!

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