CATBEATS CELEBRATES MOSS & HOUSEPLANTS!
Ever since I was small I always loved moss. The softness and all the different types that you find in the forest. It is like the earth is giant cat and you pet its sumptuous green coat! š¹
These thoughts carried on my whole life and some 2 years back I wrote the A-side, Moss Magic, while on parental leave (as you do in Sweden) wandering around parks with kittens. It is inspired by my appreciation of moss and small wonderous nooks in nature which took a new light when I started taking toy photos as Tiny Forest Photo Club (
instagram.com/tinyforestphotoclub). At the time I was listening a lot to Felbm and Shook and wanted to do something with a Rhodes piano in the forefront. I blended these influences and a desire to capture the pure wonder vibe of late 1970s/early 80s American childrenās educational public TV programming.
The vinyl-only B-side, Houseplant Party, created itself in a spur of inspiration as the artwork is based on my actual kitchen plant life. So in this space quickly sprouted an upbeat Nintendo-ey party song.
It takes a lot of thought of what to press when I do a 7" vinyl (this is only my second one)! I want the experience to be a magical small respite while listening and gazing at the cover art. So to focus this (as stated earlier) there is a vinyl-exclusive B-side plus I packed the digital version with Bandcamp exclusives so one gets an expanded release that builds on the Moss/Plant concept.
Though I didn't stop there ā I had an idea of making patches and while for a second I was only going to include one of each and make people choose MOSS vs. HOUSEPLANTS I couldn't bear that thought and decided to include both patches so one feels satisfied and complete celebrating our green outdoor and indoor friends.
I hope this music brightens your day and gives you the peace it gave me when making it! Enjoy. š -šš„
released September 3, 2021
Starring Tobii & Mazzy
All songs by Catbeats
Tracks 1 & 2 recorded in 2020, overdubs in 2021
Tracks 3, 4, and 5 originally recorded in 2018, overdubs in 2021
Track 6 recorded in 2021
Bass on 3 and 4 by Jim Cooper
Saxophone on 1 by Cameron Black
Song cores (s'mores) made with an OP-1 (except "Sun Warmed Moss.." made with Digitakt) on Catbeats Balcony and finished in Catbeats Beat Kitchen. Overdubbed with Hohner Bass Guitar, Mellotron, Moog, and various found sounds.
Moss Magic mastered by Josh Bonati, rest of the songs mastered by computer brain 2021.