INTERVIEW: SEXCAT
When you hail from a state whose self-chosen tagline hinges on the concept of nice behavior, it's almost impossible to imagine those same citizens getting downright nasty on the dance floor. But get nasty they do and goddamn if they weren't ready to cut loose. Riding the neo-R&B wave from New York City (where legend has they hatched their debauched plot during a night of drunken shenanigans) back into Minneapolis, SEXCAT is not your everyday dance band. Try: take-no-prisoners fuck frenzy. Co-flowmasters and frontwomen Megan Charles and Hannah von der Hoff stir the fray with luscious vocals snarled smooth and slow over what can only be called bass-gasmic beats, laid down by mix maestro Garrett Neal. Not a band to bring your Lutheran wife to see, SEXCAT demands your attention-and then demands you dance. What you do afterwards is probably best kept to yourself. WHOLE BEAST RAG took a moment to talk with these sex kitties about what it's like making hump music.
WHOLE BEAST RAG | You've earned some cred as--yes--creators of baby-making beats, but also as taking the electro-synth pop/R&B genres to an elevated form that rings true with audiences outside the average party-goer. What exactly happened during that debauched night in New York that made your music a reality?
Megan | Basically we just partied, went to shows, danced in basements, stayed up late, got lost, had adventures, and really bonded over LOTS of whiskey. Then when we got back [to Minneapolis] the band came to fruition pretty much right away.
WBR | You guys are bringing a freshness to the Minneapolis dance scene the likes of which we haven't seen in awhile. What kind of response have you gotten from other DJ's and the dance crowd here?
Hannah | We hear people say our sound is unlike anything happening in town right now and that the dance scene has been lacking for awhile. When we play shows people get excited about it and that's apparent - we look out into the crows and see Minneapolitans letting the music bring down their guard and just party together. It's a huge reward.
WBR | Have you guys had sex to your own tunes? I would.
Garrett | Of course. That's how I figure out if a beat is going to get people grinding.
Hannah | No...but, it's almost criteria that a track get me hot and bothered.
Megan | DUH!!!! It really turns me on to hear my own voice when I'm doing the dirty...but for real, of course not, I'm not some weirdo.
WBR | Which venue in the Twin Cities (or elsewhere) would you say best jives with your sound and is the best atmosphere for folks to bring it to the floor?
Garrett | As for sound, I'd say the Triple Rock jives with our beats the best. That room has bass to melt faces. In terms of great atmosphere, the Kitty Cat Klub has the sexiest vibe, hands down.
WBR | What drink or dish puts you in the mood?
Hannah | Tequila gets me wild...which is why I don't indulge much. Whiskey's a good, even-tempered, second best.
Megan | I go for vodka sodas with a lemon or champagne for sure.
Garrett | I'm a pretty simple guy; Power's whiskey and Bell's Two-Hearted Ale get me feeling good.
WBR | Up close and personal: where do you buy your undergarments (we're fans of the tights)? Which piece is your fav?
Hannah | Urban Outfitters and American Apparel have the swanky tights. I'd hit Victoria's Secret or Frederick's of Hollywood too. Whatever the case, you won't see the favorites...those aren't for your eyes.
Megan | Target is my favorite place right now. They've gotten pretty creative. Most of my fun tights come from there.
Garrett | Ahem. Not all of us wear tights. But I did get my red 'SEXCAT' pants at Buffalo Exchange.
WBR | What will you be titling your mixtape and why?
Sexcat | DANCEGASM. Because these songs get us excited...you know...down there.
WBR | What's the highlight of the playlist you've provided? Any anecdotes that inspire a particular song choice?
Garrett | I love dance music in any form - it matters not where it came from but whether it gets my hips moving. These are some of my favorite dance tracks from around the globe. El Guincho is the recording name of Spanish musician Pablo Diaz Reixa. He mixes hot Afro beats with memorable melodies. Ambassaduers is the work of Mark Dobson from Brighton in the UK and he does a great job of creating enveloping tunes that are fresh yet sample heavy. The last band I chose is Capsule - a singer/producer duo from Japan. J-pop at its very best (BTW - I love J-pop).
Hannah | My favorite songs are those that do one of three things:
Megan | I am a huge fan of Britney Spears. I grew up as a dancer and right when I hit my peak was around the same time Britney started making it big; she was the queen of pop. She will always have a place in my heart. Thunderheist is what made me really want to start this band. I grooved pretty hard to them and thought 'now that's the kind of shit I want to make.' As for Phantogram, I've been digging on this EP all winter so I had to throw them on the mix. Anytime I'm in a bad mood I turn on that song and it instantly puts a smile on my face and makes me belt it all out.
WBR | Any upcoming releases or shows people should know about?
Sexcat | May 5th at the Kitty Cat Klub with Fort Wilsion Riot, UMAMI and GioSafari. Other than that we're taking some time off to record our debut EP and write some new tunes.