In the Pacific Northwest's musical underground, a sonic force has emerged, a spectral entity known as mega cat. Comprising Aaron Benson, the rhythm conjurer on drums, percussion, and guitar; Kim West, the keyboard sorceress and synthesizer enchantress; and Ryan Devlin, the bass alchemist with a touch of guitar magic, mega cat is a transcendental collaboration that defies conventional boundaries. With Dave Dederer from the Presidents of the United States of America joining on guitar for live performances, this ensemble takes instrumental exploration to uncharted territories.
Their self-titled debut album, slated for release on February 16, 2024, via Share It Music, is a sonic odyssey that beckons the listener into a realm where punk attitude meets hip-hop instrumentals, 70s Afro Beat, avant-garde jazz, and the raw individualism that defines the Pacific Northwest's musical ethos.
The album's lead single, "Rat Fight," serves as a gateway into the visceral and untamed sonic landscape crafted by mega cat. The genesis of the track lies in a chance encounter experienced by Kim West and Ryan Devlin as they stumbled upon two colossal brown rats locked in a ferocious battle on their neighbor's lawn. The intensity of the rodent skirmish inspired the band, giving birth to a musical spectacle that mirrors the drama, wild energy, and audible thuds of that fateful rat fight.
"Rat Fight" unfolds as a wild, ritualistic dance in a defiant five/four time signature. The driving bass, distorted synthesizers, weighty drums, decisive horns, flute embellishments, and Saharan guitars engage in a frenetic dance, akin to claws and fangs slashing in a primal battle. The collision of sonic elements mirrors the intense struggle witnessed that night, creating an immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional genres.
Describing mega cat as a disembodied multidimensional being may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but the tangible impact of their music is undeniable. Discovered in a basement home studio in Seattle's Central District, the trio of audio chemists—Benson, West, and Devlin—unveiled a force that transcends the physical realm. Encounters with mega cat are reported to induce a surreal blend of time loss, body dissociation, euphoria, and ego death. Witnesses have even reported holographic thoughts, enhanced perception, and moments of levitation after a single encounter with mega cat's sonic transmissions.
Though mega cat communicates without traditional language, its instrumental narratives resonate with fans of 20th-century science fiction, afro-beat, hip hop, and psychedelic music. The debut album promises to be a conduit to the unknown, inviting listeners to surrender to the sonic journey crafted by these musical alchemists. As mega cat prepares to unleash its otherworldly vibrations upon the world, one can only anticipate the transcendental experiences that await those who dare to immerse themselves in the enigmatic realm of mega cat. The release date looms, and the countdown to the sonic invasion is underway. Brace yourselves for an encounter with the unknown, for mega cat is poised to redefine the very fabric of musical reality.
https://itsmegacat.bandcamp.com/track/rat-fight
-Francis Madden