Recorded with a base of acoustic guitar and harmonica, the debut self-recorded album of il gato, "conversationmusic", has an undercurrent of menace: the fuzz of walkie-talkies, the lonely blare of a trumpet, the drone of the harmonica, the ominous sound of a synth, the clicks and hums of a lo-fi record. Sounds from the furthest corners of the room hoping to detain and sabotage the song, only to always be one step behind. “Subversive folk” is what I call it.
Falling somewhere between the patience of Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska”, the stark emotion of Songs:Ohia, and the fragility of Bright Eyes more introspective moments, the album trods on country-blues, folk and Americana.
CURRENT LINEUP:
daimian holiday scott: vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, loop pedal, melodica
matthew "norther" souther: trumpet, flugelhorn, piano, vocals, etc.
johnny "drum" major: drums, vocals, etc.
COLLECTIVE:
howie "Fun/Awesome" cockrill: violin, 12-string, mandolin, drums, vocals, etc.
andrew "low flying crow" marine: stand-up bass, electric bass, accordion, vocals, etc.
tony "d.m.b." brasunas: guitar, vocals, etc.
ari "you know you don't wanna" messer: mandolin, slide, vocals, etc.
jon "you know who is da" astmann: accordion, vocals, etc.
kenneth "hottub" blackwood: banjo, keys, vocals, etc.
karl "lovebug" mauks-koepke: guitar, verse, etc.
annie "francis" bacon: bass, drums, harmonies, clap, etc.
nick "no-show" aives: banjo, etc.
chris "half-an-orcard" borchardt: drums, bass, guitar, vocals, etc.
benny "general" lee: guitar, harmonica, vocals, etc.
PRESS:
"Gentle acoustic guitar and a medley of instruments (real and found) make up 'conversationmusic', il gato's pensive folk album... the spooky nature of a cappella "Chocolate Lemonade" has a simple, echoing melody that really digs deep.
Scott also plays harmonica, drawing out his rustic sound and developing a hazy tone, as in "Sometimes I Laugh to Cry." This lo-fi tone is achieved with sparseness and well-placed accent instruments, such as the brief wail of the trumpet in "Bright, Bright, Bright Yellow."
Scott's vocals reveal a fascinating vulnerability in his frail folk songs."
"we have similar musical tastes and sounds and we are both from the bay so we should play..." Van P of Port O'Brien
"Hey fellas...thanks once again for being a part of such an awesome night. Your tunes are absolutely brilliant. Let's do it again soon!" Raul from Penny Arcade