Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
From a young age, I’ve been surrounded by music. Both my Dad and Uncle are in bands and I’ve been attending gigs since I was about 6. Those were the days when parents didn’t have headphones for their kids! My hearing is still fine, in case you were wondering, haha.
I’ve always liked how music can make you feel so good. School just didn’t do it for me like music did and I was lucky enough to go to Music Industry College for my final school years. That was like my crash course right there and I knew that music was always going to figure in my life somehow.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
My name is Dylan Cattanach and I perform under the moniker Katanak. I initially thought I was going to end up behind the sound console doing live gigs, and did go on to train as a sound engineer, but my start was playings drums for a grunge band after school.
That experience set me up to start another band as the guitarist and vocalist in an indie rock band, which then lead into my solo project of Katanak.
Name me your 3 favorite Albums.
These are 3 very varied artists and albums but each one means something to me. As an aside, Avenged Sevenfold was the very first album I ever bought.
Feeler – Pete Murray
The White Album – Avenged Sevenfold
Any album by The 1975
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
Fall Your Way by Pete Murray
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
I’m in this industry because I NEED to make music and there is always someone out there who wants to hear my music. I feel like I’m making strides and at this stage, it’s slow and steady wins the race, but I’m getting really good responses from listeners all over who are discovering my music. That’s what it’s all about for me. 2023 and 2024 I’ll be releasing the new music I’m writing now.
So, if you hear ‘Lights of Tokyo’ and like it, drop me a DM. FOLLOW on Spotify. It’s the simple things you do to support the emerging artists out there that go a long way.
I’ve spent the last 3 years bettering myself in all facets of my creative art and I’m heading into the production side. I’m really liking what I’m producing and I’m getting the opportunity to work with some incredible artists.
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
Socials are hard, I’m sure I’m not the only one to say that! I think the question needs to be, what tips can the readers give me, haha!
I do everything myself and it is hard trying to fit everything in the day and come up with new content. I know I should be doing more, across more platforms, but I will strive to do better!
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
I was in the Olympics, I was close enough to kiss Austin Butler on stage, and I’ve got Scottish ancestors.
Wrap your heads around those 3 things, and if you do want to know the answer, you can always DM me 😊
What’s your thought on Spotify monopoly on the music industry?
Personally, I like Spotify as a streaming service, but it’s a shame they don’t pay artists what they deserve. As a discovery platform – their new radio and discovery section – I must say it’s pretty good. I’ve had a number of new listeners find my music through Discover Weekly and the Radio and Mix section.
The strange thing is, and I’ve never understood it, that everyone but the artist makes money. There wouldn’t be an industry if there wasn’t an artist, but everyone from Spotify, touring venues, sound guys, backing musicians, PR, all get paid and the artist gets what’s left over.
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
I didn’t buy anything during the pandemic because I’m poor, haha! I was working as a poorly paid essential worker during the pandemic and didn’t have the time, or the money to buy anything. All the purchases happened afterward, and now I’m still broke, haha!
What was the worst experience on stage?
I burst my eardrum playing at the NRL Fan Fest. That killed! It was awful and took ages to get over.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
I can actually build furniture. It’s something that I took up when my fiancée and I moved out. We had no furniture and not a lot of cash, so we decided to have a go at building our kitchen island. It worked so well I’ve just finished a dining table.
What makes you stand out as a artist?
It’s got to be my red hair, haha! I think people are just looking for music to have a bit of fun. I write music that makes people feel good. The lyrics can be sad, or even angry sometimes, but music behind it is always upbeat.
I hear you have a new music, what can you tell us about it.
‘Lights of Tokyo’ was among one of the first lot of songs I ever wrote and it’s still my favourite track to play live. Back when I wrote this track, I was influenced by early 2000’s Australian rock and artists such as Powderfinger and Pete Murray. Matt McGuffie was able to transform it and give it a totally UK modern rock/indie pop sound. I was stoked to find that Aidan Hogg was also a huge fan of the bands I listened to, so it was easy to convey to him exactly what I wanted this track to sound like. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune.
‘Lights of Tokyo’ is fun and catchy and overall just a good time! I wanted a song that people felt they needed to sing along to.
What was the recording process like?
I recorded everything in my home studio and then worked with Matt McGuffie and Aidan Hogg to complete the song.
What’s been the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
It’s not necessarily in the writing process but in the production process. Trying things I haven’t tried before. Trying to do things that are creatively different from what I’ve done before but not so weird that people wonder what Katanak is doing.
Would you change anything now ‘Lights of Tokyo’ is finished?
You know, I wouldn’t. It’s come out exactly how I wanted it to come out.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
CHECK HIS WEBSITE HERE