Today marks the anniversary of the late James Baldwin’s birthday - an essayist, novelist, and playwright whose brilliance and eloquence is greatly admired. Created a mixtape to honour his legacy - Imagining it would be played on or after midnight while potentially enjoying one of Baldwin’s favourite cognacs. It’s also a special gesture to other wonderful artists & amazing storytellers who are likely celebrating on this date as well. X
Shredder is not just the name of a cool TMNT cartoon series character, but also an apt description for gifted music collaborator, Leong Chan. He’s pictured here shredding one of Cat’s guitars in a laid back music jam; However will be doing some proper studio sessions during this year.
Acquired the vinyl soundtrack to this iconic film that is always great for a rewatch. Reviewing things (or videos) from the recent past can be illuminating to discover; maybe a new one amongst the older. 00 Agent skills always handy too :))
Video & Music by Cat Lew
Good vibes, like music or authenticity can be developed incrementally, with some warm-hearted fun in between :)
Amazing visual artist, Mito Elias outdoor jamming with Cat last summer. Mito played around 10 of his fantastic and unusual instruments that day.
This summer however, some rare and wonderful cosmic influences have occurred that are gracefully, and gradually unfolding; in lieu of this, do no harm is the new motto for the year & approach to things for this musical kitten. Building trust takes time :)
Video, Music & River Image by Cat Lew
*Featuring screenshots from the film Control (Anton Corbijn, 2007) & an audio sample from Bladerunner (Scott, 1982)
**You know where I am at. More to come later :)
Sharing this fave classic jazz tune (featuring the great Joe Henderson on sax), since it is a truly unique, culturally significant and auspicious date today in more ways than one (ICERD) (IDF) and it’s also World Poetry Day for the poet in all of us. C'est aussi l'anniversaire de Cat :)
Song Credit: Lazy Afternoon
Artists: Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone) Steve Kuhn (piano) Steve Swallow (bass) Pete La Roca (drums) recorded Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 19, 1965
Added some Hello Kitty Fuzz and a classic original Strymon Flint reverb and tremolo to our collection of pedals that were sourced during an artistic escapade in Toyko, Japan. The latest Hello Kitty stratocaster guitar is also in the artillery and it shreds ;)
Having fun with our Wofi Sampler which was recently acquired from an amazing new electronic music instrument and software company based in France and Germany; Kiviak Instruments. Looking forward to creating new sonic experiences, music and sound design with this cool new piece of gear.
Mangling samples with a new Mood II pedal from Chase Bliss, sourced during a recent overseas adventure to Ishibashi Music, Shibuya, Japan.
The Korg Experience Lounge in Tokyo, Japan, kindly allowed Cat (with sound artist pals!) to play with the multitude of modular synthesisers and musical instruments in their amazing space.
Cat is currently filming with a new Sony FX3 cinema camera over the Melbourne summer.
We have a lot of amazing performance hardware at our disposal such as the Synthstrom Audible Deluge, Roland Sp404 MK2 and classic Elektron Machinedrum, but this latest sampler EP 133 KO II by Teenage Engineering is an absolute blast to play.
Mel Chilianis and Cat Lew’s audiovisual exhibition imagines a latent beauty over different time scales (Yūgen). The work reflects their capacities as artists who work at alternate paces and rhythms and invites others to consider.
Exhibition opening Friday 21 July, 2023
Our ‘Yūgen’ projection art can be viewed daily from 5:30pm to 11pm and is exhibiting from July 19 - September 4
‘Haptic Drift’ - Remixed 3D Lidar animation and music by Cat Lew
A Moog Mother 32 synthesizer, OTO Machines Bam Reverb, Deluge Synthstrom synthesizer, sampler and sequencer were used to produce this audio piece.
This work is part of a submission for City of Melbourne’s new annual technology, innovation and arts festival. Additional audio-visual works will be completed through to 2025 onwards.
‘The Red Shawl’
Flute by Melanie Chilianis
Cinematography, sound design & percussion by Cat Lew
Cat’s latest collaboration is with electro-acoustic musician, Dr Melanie Chilianis. Melanie is a flute player and composer with a PhD in cultural studies. Their music and sonic works have been performed in Australia, Italy and the USA and many of their pieces have been released through Move Records (Australia). Melanie has contributed their music composition and sound installation to museum alcoves and gallery installations in Australia, the USA, Denmark and Italy. Cat and Melanie are currently creating new audio work based on improv and studio sessions, featuring footage from Cat’s recent trip to Nagambie, Victoria.
‘Lost Spaces Part III’ - Film and music by Cat Lew
‘Ardour’ - Film and Music by Cat Lew
‘Lost Spaces’ - Film and Music by Cat Lew
