The Cat Empire‘s original lead vocalist and trumpet player Harry James Angus is back!
The former-fan favourite brings an enigmatic new solo set and some signature grooves to Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in November.
Joining him will be Gold Coast drumming sensation Freyja Hooper (pictured).
Freyja and Harry have birthed a powerful duo which speaks to our times and shows off their incredible musicianship.
Placing third in New South Wales for her senior HSC music grade in 2011 (not to mention the multitude of awards that followed) Freyja says she is “really interested in creation, ideas and thoughts”.
“I like putting time aside to think,” she says.
“I like perspective. I love timing. I like it when things connect. When things develop.”
Harry James Angus: life after The Cat Empire
After 20 years of world-wide success, Harry is exploring his musical world anew.
Harry says stories, both little and large, have played a crucial role in his life.
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 says.
“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,” Harry says.
Harry’s never-ending musical success story
Music has been a constant for Harry since his early years as a member of the National Boys’ Choir to the “forced” piano lessons growing up.
Then there was the day he picked up a trumpet as a young schoolboy (because all of the saxophones were taken). It catapulted him into the intoxicating world of jazz and to 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, Harry then went on to perform at cafes (back when they were attached to a furniture store, and 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, when he joined five jazz mates to create the multi-platinum, international-touring sensation The Cat Empire.
Now Harry wants to show off his new creative direction.
Catch Harry James Angus and Freyja Hooper play at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse on November 24.
Yes, there will be some Cat Empire vibes for those hard-core fans!
Please note, there will be limited capacity as this evening is in an intimate setting and expected to sell out.
Dance shoes, however, are essential.
Mo’s is at 6/36 Central Drive, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Tickets: here.
