"A uniquely individual & odd group, creating original music that defies any genre & creates its own" Hugo White - The Maccabees
“Completely original and genre bending” Artrocker
“Genre-defying and undoubtedly the kind of thing John Peel would have loved” Music Week
On 5th May, Poeticat will release their debut EP, ‘Smash The Floor’. Their earlier singles have already been met with stunned descriptions ranging from “genre-defying” to “completely original”, “brilliantly surreal, “compelling” and now they return with their twisted genre-defiance stretching even further
Think you know eclecticism? With comparisons ranging from Tool to The Slits, Siouxsie, Pussy Riot, Super Furry Animals, Lightning Bolt, Kate Nash, Plan B, Future of the Left, Art Brut, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Scroobius Pip - you should think again!
Their live shows have seen a packed out crowd observe and engage with these leading lights on the experimental and progressive rock circuit; fans have dressed up, painted their faces, chosen sides, been all things, squeezed themselves into the room despite all weathers and had an actual lyrical input to a new song for each show. This is the true alternative spirit that is so much missing in the current musical climate.
An eclectic blast of influences, ‘Smash the Floor’ ranges from art-rock to progressive and experimental rhythms and melodies to powerful riff rocking and poignant political lyricism. From the opening of the playfully gentle and ethereal post-punk jangle of ‘Jetty’ to ‘Centre of the Concrete Square’ which careers in as a hefty experimental punk slab of socialism, it becomes an engaging journey. The melancholic’ Rest Reprise’ falls in two parts, one showcasing Jadovski’s beautiful vocals tip-toeing around Martindale’s remarkably vivid narrative ability whilst the second half is an experiment in musical eclecticism of searing guitars, new wave electronics, worldly percussion and warm bass lines. ‘Kind Words Soft Kill’ breaks straight out of Diamond Dogs era Bowie and final track ‘3rd Arm’ continues to surprise; a riff-rocking guitar, crushing bass parts, hypnotic percussion, otherworldly vocals, headstrong and surreal lyrics, doomy backing vocals and all wrapped up in something completely captivating; progressive in the truest sense.
Hailing from London and Lisbon, Poeticat are a truly unique proposition; fusing the thought provoking lyricism of Catherine Martindale with the experimental vocal harmonies of fellow European Theatre Arts graduate Ziggi Jadovski. This alone creates something very original. Now add a surreal and captivating genre-bending melting pot which is given an overwhelming sense of roots and power with the phenomenally warm bass lines of Ivo Ramalho formerly of Worldly Savages. Taking the band in another direction is percussionist Victor Meadowcroft on drums who pulls in from Latin American music and African rhythms bringing it all together in a loose yet fluid journey while the prowess of guitarist Baj Kenrick reaches into the songs, burrows under the skin and adds another twist, with complex metal guitar riffs and melodies that call upon Testament to Metallica.
Regulars amongst a diverse circuit they received a 5 star review at the Edinburgh Fringe Festivaland have played festivals such as Glastonbury, Latitude, Bestival, The Big Chill, Kendal Calling, Beat-Herder, E4 Udderbelly and have supported Kate Nash, Ed Sheeran and Jamie Woon.
“Fascinating, honest, strong and beautiful … Easily one of the truest piece of music I had the pleasure to encounter lately” AAA Music
“It's weird, wonderful and fabulously modern sounding... A brilliantly surreal and well-observed proposition” Sound of Confusion
“Poeticat create something that is original and compelling…You should see this band. That is an order” Moon Project
“It's a glimpse into a set of seemingly insanely creative minds” Nine Hertz
"Genre dodging at its very best" Musicmuso
“This is like having one of Tracey Emin’s unmade beds turned into a song. You know what it is and you should look away - you feel a wobbly sense of voyeurism inside your stomach – but you cannot take your ears off of it” Raw Ramp
“Absolutely mad stuff” Three Beams
“Completely Unique” Entertainment Focus
“The guitar work is truly thrilling and the various solos are highpoints that genuinely exhilarate” Indie London
“Seriously powerful stuff” Cracked Wax
“Another hallucinogenic escape from the mundanity of just another day spent in the concrete sink of life. Enjoying the increasing – and rightly so – attention that has steadily grown…a pretty unique proposition” Monolith Cocktail
“Mind boggling” Shout 4 Music
Tracklisting
1. Jetty
2. Centre of the Concrete Square
3. Rest Reprise
4. Kind Words Soft Kill
5. 3rd Arm
Upcoming Shows
3rd May – EP launch, London (venue TBC)
10th May – The Canteen, Bristol
17th May - The Lamb - Lewes
Poeticat are: Baj Kenrick [Guitar] | Catherine Martindale [Vocals] | Victor Meadowcroft [Percussion] Ziggi Jadovski [Vocals] | Ivo Ramalho [Bass]