As co-founder and front man of the much-loved and award winning party band The Cat Empire, Melbourne singer/songwriter Felix Riebl has charmed audiences across the nation and around the world with his exuberant personality and natural talent.
However, in recent years the composer and multi-instrumentalist has taken time out from his role as band leader to immerse himself in ‘passion projects’, while working on solo material – the results of his hard work can be heard on the stunning new EP Lonely Truth.
Drawing on influences as wide ranging as Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan and the Beatles, Riebl has penned countless original compositions. The Lonely Truth EP features four hand-picked tracks that showcase his talent at its understated best. The title track starts as a haunting acoustic lullaby before the chorus breaks wide open with majestic horns and a heartfelt sing-a-long. “I’m really proud of these songs,” Riebl smiles, “and they’re so much fun to play live.”
Inspired by a recent trip to Timor-Leste, Riebl felt compelled to write about his experience – and ‘Crocodiles’ is the end result. “I’m really excited about that song and we’ve made a video clip that I think is a really interesting, visual documentary of my time spent over there.” Check it out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znVOSZqfWtY.
The hand-slapping ditty ‘What Did I Learn?’ is another example of Riebl’s fine songwriting ability, regardless of the fact that Riebl confesses to leaving it unfinished for years while he worked on other projects. “That’s a strange old song that I started writing a while back – but I finished it quickly once I picked it up again and now I love performing it. I think this EP is a pretty good teaser for a solo album that I have coming out in August this year.”
Although Riebl is unable to reveal the name of his upcoming album, he is more than happy to discuss the progress of The Cat Empire’s forthcoming release. “It’s in the bag! It’s called Rising With the Sun and it’s coming out in March,” he says proudly. “We’re really excited about it – it’s a really strong album. We’re launching it around Bluesfest and Womadelaide this year.
“We’ve got a really exciting year of touring ahead of us,” he continues. “Everyone feels really good about the material, which is really important for a band like The Cat Empire because we’re much more about our live legacy, and the songs have to stand up on the stage for that to continue.”
Riebl’s success with The Cat Empire and as a solo artist can be attributed to a life-long love affair with music. As a child he was surrounded by music; his sister is a classical pianist and his brother is a singer, not to mention his uncle Thomas was a professor of viola at the Mozarteum Salzbury. But more recently Riebl says his work with the Gondwana National Choral Choir is a driving force for his musical creativity.
“I’ve written a whole bunch of songs for them, and I’ve travelled quite extensively with them as part of the research for that first project that we’re working on – those singers are a constant source of inspiration,” he says.
Riebl is also actively involved in the Australian Conservation Foundation, 350.org, and is an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. “I try not to think of it as something that’s totally separate from my life. I think projects like this have to be integrated with what you do. I feel like it constantly opens my mind, and that can only be beneficial to writing and creativity.”\
Written by Natalie Rogers
Release: Lonely Truth out now
When & Where: Performing as The Cat Empire at WOMADelaide, Adelaide – March 11-14
