#MusicExchange: Mr Cat and the Jackal
They are currently in the process of releasing their fourth album, in four parts, titled Chapters. Their latest video, “The Man”, is out now. The group writes and records their work at their studio.
The band is on the bill with FreshlyGround and Mark Haze on Sunday, 7 April 2019 at De Waal Park in Gardens, Cape Town. Book at Computicket or the door.
I spoke to the band’s bass guitarist JC Visser, last week.
When are you happiest?
At home with the cats, drink in hand, watching my neighbour slowly grow weirder.
What does music mean to you?
An obsession and a way for expression.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
Seeing strange places around the world and meeting weird people. Also, when the crowd starts burning, we get to feel the heat – which is a powerful drug.
Are you famous?
The dog thinks so, the cat doesn’t. People, in general, have no clue who we are and that’s great.
What do you think of influencers?
It’s not a new marketing phenomenon. What irks me most are the ones who are totally fake for that buck, but that’s not new either. The biggest influencers in society are still your parents, but please don’t give them a YouTube channel.
What drives you: ego or humility?
My car.
Which living person do you admire most and why?
There’s this dude in Bronkhorstspruit. He’s a biker, home-maker, venue-owner, restaurateur, sound-engineer and step-dad to the music industry around there. He regularly does fundraisers for any kid who needs medical attention. You can call him at any time. The kind of human we need more of. Uncle Dee.
What is your most treasured possession?
A semi-functioning liver.
It’s your round, what are you drinking?
Double Harrier with ice and water. Also, we’re doing 10 shots, half of them water, the rest vodka. You pick and you down. It’s kind of a Russian Roulette.
Any funny moments on stage?
Once in Potchefstroom, we promised a free CD to the person who would throw a shoe onstage. We got pelted with shoes. I don’t think the audience had any left!
Dream gig to do?
To open for The Bad Seeds.
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Doom-crazy, weird, entertaining, toxoplasmotic, Neanderthal-esque.
Five favourite SA albums of all time?
Suparss the Powers – Springbok Nude Girls
Bloudruk – Johannes Kerkorrel
A New Myth – A Brother Moves On
To Disappear In Place – Guy Buttery
Move Your Things – The Nomadic Orchestra
Give us some real proper slang and what it means
‘Hoefertjie’. When you say ‘Hos’ with your pal and you greet him with the bro-fist, you stick out your ‘hoefertjie’.
Top of your bucket list?
A new pancreas.
What do you complain about most often?
This beer is too warm!
What is your fear?
When you’ve come back from home after welding through the night. You’ve just driven 80km over a treacherous N2 pass, you decide to quickly mow the lawn, do the laundry, write a song, feed the chickens, feed the cats, feed the girlfriend and then when you open the fridge for yourself and the beer is warm from loadshedding.
Happiness is?
Either a warm gun or a warm puppy, I forget.
The best life lesson you have been taught?
Don’t start drinking in the AM.
Do you do charity work and, if you do, what do you do?
Yes, we raise money for abused women and children – it gives us a reason to perform in drag. Also recently raised money for a friend’s lawyer fees.
Wishes and dreams?
For people to have more empathy for their neighbours.
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