The Cat Empire

The Cat Empire are an Australian band formed in Melbourne in 1999, known for a genre-blending sound that fuses ska, jazz, funk and rock with strong Latin and Afro-Cuban influences. Built around a horn section, live percussion and DJ decks alongside conventional rock instrumentation, the group made its name through energetic, danceable live performances that translated directly into their studio recordings.

Core members include vocalist and percussionist Felix Riebl, trumpeter and co-vocalist Harry James Angus, drummer Will Hull-Brown, DJ and percussionist Jamshid Khadiwhala, keyboardist Ollie McGill and bassist Ryan Monro, often joined onstage by an additional horn section and guest musicians, giving their sound a big, orchestral feel rarely heard in guitar-led rock. Songs such as «The Wine Song» and «Hello» showcase the band's knack for blending party-ready horns with introspective songwriting.

Emerging from Melbourne's live music scene, The Cat Empire built a devoted international following, particularly across Europe and Latin America, largely through relentless touring rather than radio ubiquity. Albums like Two Shoes helped define their sound for a wider audience, and their ability to move fluidly between celebratory ska-jazz grooves and more reflective, melodic material has kept them a distinctive presence in Australian music for over two decades.