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India Wallis

Rockin' The Suburbs: With Katanak's Dylan Cattanach

The interview all about Brisbane, with Brisbane's finest creatives.


Known for his infectious indie pop groove-inducing earworms that fans of The 1975, Circa Waves and The Wombats will appreciate. Unforgettable hooks, fun vibes and raw energy is what Katanak is all about. He is building a reputation for creating indie pop songs that get the crowd on their feet and moving to the groove.


The man behind it all, Dylan Cattanach, chatted with us about all things Brisbane!


Katanak have been gigging up a storm lately, recently finishing their 7-date QLD tour at Brisbane’s Tomcat. What do you love about that venue?

Tomcat has been like a home base for me for ages. Awesome staff (both FOH & bar), great stage and sound system and an incredible vibe. I love playing there because the energy and the people in it are unmatched!


Tomcat has a really strong music ethos and it’s known as a venue you can just walk into and see amazing local bands. People come for the music. As an emerging musician, that’s super important as you get the chance to be seen by different people every time you play. In my books it’s definitely my favourite venue.


The question that divides Brisbane… Northside or Southside?

Southside definitely! I’m biased though as I haven’t moved too far from where I grew up. Plus, navigating to the northside is too confusing for me. I do make an exception for the Valley though as it’s where I spend all my gigging time.


Your next show is at Black Bear Lodge on September 1st with Reckless Coast and Her Majesty. What do you love about having local bands support your shows?


I came across Reckless Coast (then called Rude Rum) very early on when I started playing and have played with them numerous times. I’m always blown away by their stage presence and their original songs so I always relish the opportunity to get back on stage with them. Plus they are all just really nice people to hang with. So come hang with us on the 1st!


I’m stating the obvious but local bands are the lifeblood of the Brisbane music scene. There have been quite a few times you will stumble onto a gig or watch a band on your bill and find a pretty amazing hidden gem. Playing with a local band opens you up to new sound, new mates and a new audience


You have a night off to go and see live music in Brisbane. What music venue in Brisbane are you going to first?

Honestly, it’s pretty much going to be Tomcat every time. There’s always something going on.


Time to give some local businesses some love. What're your go-to restaurants and bars in Brisbane and why?

Bourbon Street, on Grey St at Southbank. I've never been to New Orleans but I reckon this restaurant is probably as close as I'll get for a while. You have got to try the Gumbo. Traditional Creole food & plenty of it.


For a special night, The Jetty (also at Southbank) absolutely blew my mind. Watch all the river activity and Brisbane city lights while enjoying some amazing dishes. Highly recommend it.


Do you have a favourite cafe?

There's a tiny little breakfast place called The Rabbit Hole in Seven Hills that I absolutely adore. It has the best breakfast foods I've ever tasted and definitely takes the top spot whenever I take anyone out to breakfast.


Brisbane’s music scene is so vibrant with so many different genres and bands. What local acts have you been digging lately?

I don't want to call it nepotism (sounds like we are related doesn’t it) but I've absolutely been digging a couple of my drummer Niall's other bands. The Baby Breaks and Loose Fittings both recently released some singles so definitely go and check them out. Selfish Sons have always been a fave of mine and they are doing super well for themselves. I played with a band at Greaser recently called Super Ghost. Insanely talented musicians who made it look so easy.


What venue in Brisbane would you love to play that you haven’t yet and why?

I would love to have the opportunity to play The Tivoli at some point in my career. I've seen so many of my favourite bands play there so I would just love to feel how it feels to stand on that stage and see a huge audience in front of me. Check in with me in a few years and see if I’ve achieved it.


From photographers to visual artists, videographers or booking agents, do you have any Brisbane creatives that you’d like to give a shout out to?

I’ve worked with Darcy Goss for a few live events of mine and she just has this knack for capturing something you thought was insignificant at the time. She’s recently been called up to the ‘big leagues’ and has just shot Splendour. Go Darcy!


I’m going slightly further down the road from Brisbane but I’m working on my latest single with producer Matt McGuffie from the band Ivey. He’s managed to take ‘Lights of Tokyo’ in a direction I wasn’t expecting. I can’t wait to show you that one.


Katanak, Reckless Coast & Her Majesty at Black Bear Lodge 1st September



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