One woman adding true colour to Australia’s somewhat lacklustre pop music landscape is Catcall. Catcall is the moniker of choice for Sydney based singer-songwriter Catherine Kelleher but her sound is about as far from the shrill hiss of a tabby as it gets. Her fantastic debut album, The Warmest Place, ranges from electronically-flecked darker moods to dancefloor-focused pop anthems and it comes out today through Ivy League Records.
Catherine is also a nominee in Pedestrian’s search for the Bachelorette Of The Year and, being a fabulous female musician herself, she’s found inspiration from the legendary ladies from history’s pop music canon. Here’s her list of Five Female Musicians she most admires…
Kathleen Hannah
I adore Kathleen Hannah. She inspired me so much when I was playing in Kiosk. I feel like everything changed when I discovered Bikini Kill, and I loved Le Tigre and Julie Ruin. Her politics, her voice, her performances, everything about her I admire so much. Check out this video of Bikini Kill performing “Suck my Left One” and “Rebel Girl” in 1992. It’s so awesome and raw:
Kim Gordon
My introduction to Sonic youth and Kim Gordon was late night on Rage when I was a teenager. I saw the incredible video for Kool Thing and I’ve never looked back. Kim’s songs in Sonic Youth are my favourite and I became obsessed with Sonic Youth after that night. “Shadow of a Doubt” from EVOL is perfect. I also loved Free Kitten, the project she did with Julie Cafritz from Pussy Galore. Here is the music video for “Kool Thing” (that started it all):
Patti Smith
I admire everything about Patti Smith, as a poet, artist and songwriter. I have always loved her but reading her book Just Kids made me love her even more. There’s a feeling I got from reading that book, that everything is going to be ok. She has also been a great inspiration for me lyrically. Here is the video for “Because the Night”, the song Patti did with Bruce Sprinsteen, a dream pairing:
Debbie Harry
I am a big big Blondie fan and Debbie Harry has become a massive influence on my album. The first two albums were punk as and early videos of her live performances when they were playing underground clubs are amazing, she’s the coolest. I also loved the album Parallel Lines with all the hit singles; in every form Blondie was awesome. Check out this live video of “Rip her to Shreds” from 1978:
Christine McVie/Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac
My obsession with Fleetwood Mac and both Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks became something that has developed over the last 3-4 years. I couldn’t pick one so I had to go with both of them. I love their voices, I love their songs, I don’t have much more to add but I love it when they sing in Fleetwood. They have become a massive inspiration and I listen to their songs daily. Here is a video for Fleetwood Mac performing “Dreams” live:
Buy ‘The Warmest Place’ now on iTunes.
