With Katalyst’s long-awaited followup album What’s Happening finally reaching the stores this year, the legendary ‘Manipulating Agent’ is about to hit the road with an all-star entourage of guest vocalists in tow! That’s right, the tour kicks off this weekend and it’s featuring some of the biggest names that lent their talents to the album – including Bronx soul singer Stephanie McKay for her first ever Australian tour, NY-based MC J-Live as well as Steve Spacek from the UK who’s been dubbed as ‘the voice of modern soul’.
On the local front, Katalyst will be joined onstage by Adalita from Magic Dirt, Australian/Jamaican MC Ru C.L. from Melbourne and Hau from hip hop duo Koolism. That’s not to mention the world-class musicians who’ll be backing him up, including industry veteran Stu Hunter on keyboards, bass and synths as well as Leeroy Brown on the turntables.
Before the crew prepared to hit the road, ITM’s Tim Hardaker sat down with some of the collected ensemble for a Q&A session to get an idea of what we can expect from the tour…
You’re about to head out on the road to launch the new album What’s Happening. No doubt you’ve done a bit of touring in your time, so what’s your #1 tip for enjoying yourself while on the road?
Katalyst: Drink lots of alcohol and take lots off drugs!! Ah just kidding. Just to relax and have fun with it really.
Stephanie McKay: Checking out the sites on tour, hanging out with creative people in other parts of the world.
Adalita: I absolutely love touring. It’s like a holiday and the best job in the world all rolled into one. It’s very easy to enjoy yourself.
Hau: For me, it’s to remember to have fun. Boring, huh? Haha. Seriously though, this is what I have always wanted to do, so I can’t start complaining about things when they get a little rough. I’ve got to remind myself, “Hey, there are some crappy jobs out there, be happy you’re not doing one of them”. Plus a few Grey Gooses and Red Bull, doesn’t go astray. Haha…
Stu Hunter: The #1 tip is that anything that could go wrong with logistics probably will, so just relax and run with it, embrace it and get ready to ‘hurry up and wait’.
Leeroy Brown: Obviously distancing myself from the rest of the pack as we all know that sarcasm can get in the way, and then sipping a few ales while brainwashing myself with Discovery channel.
How do you pass the time in between shows, what are your essential items to keep you sane when packing your bag for a tour?
Katalyst: Drink lots and take lots of drugs… again… Just kidding! Digging for records is always a good one. So a portable turntable is always good. I often save up a few issues of wax poetics for the road so I can catch up on them in the downtime.
Stephanie McKay: I try to catch up on reading by bringing a good book, pack the iPod for finishing lyrics for tunes. An essential item is my jump rope! I try to walk and go exploring in the city in between soundcheck and showtime. If I am too tired then I just sleep and rest.
Adalita: Sit and wait. Sometimes play Snake on my mobile. Talk to other band members. Essential item to pack would be a sharpie. For writing set lists.
Hau: You know, the 12th element of hip hop – board games. Mouse Trap, Battle Ship, Operation and of course, The Game of Life. In order to keep your mind in healthy shape, and to be able to freestyle in a drop of a hat, you gotta exercise it daily. Scrabble is perfect for expanding your rap vocab. But you know, you can flip it up. Rubik’s Cube, Uno and even Connect Four. As long as you keep your mind ticking over, you’ll always keep your wits about you!
Stu Hunter: I’ve got a little book for writing song ideas and that goes with me everywhere. Touring provides lots of space for writing. Other than that I spend my time in my spandex and roller skates doing laps of the hotel corridors.
Leeroy Brown: Shop, eat, eat and umm… Did I mention eating? A packet of Sour Cream and Sweetchilli Red Rock chips beats an iPod any day.
The tour sees a heap of guests appearing onstage throughout the show, with everyone coming from varying aspects of the music scene and locations around the world. Who are you most looking forward to checking out?
Katalyst: I’m looking forward to seeing how some of the guests interact on stage. Steve is always up for just vibing with other peeps on stage, feeling out the vibe and joining in.
Stephanie McKay: Everyone, I am a music fan and I love Katalyst’s album and music. I like to watch and learn from other performers.
Adalita: Everyone. I haven’t seen any of the artists before, so it’s gonna be awesome. I’m really looking forward to this tour. It’s going to be quite different to my rock n roll band-esque kind of deal. I can’t wait!
Hau: I’ve seen everyone that is on the tour perform at one time or another. And everyone does their thing and does it well. Each person has a style and I think each person’s gift will compliment one another’s. The only person I haven’t seen perform is Stephanie. Obviously I have heard her work, but I’m really looking forward to seeing her bring her work to life.
Stu Hunter: It’s such an awesome mix of artists. I’m really looking forward to seeing and hearing the sum of the collective, and there will be some great random moments.
Leeroy Brown: I’ve heard rumours that Triple J will be recording the first show, so I’m looking forward to hearing everyone being played back live to radio, but J-Live will be the highlight for me as I’ve have heard numerous times that he brings the whole kit caboodle, but I’ve never seen the man.
Who do you think will be the dark horse on the tour; the one to surprise audiences the most?
Katalyst: I think that will be Adalita because see is kinda the odd one out, and coming from more of a rock background and I know she will kill it. So keep an eye out for her!
Stephanie McKay: Everyone on the tour is pretty experienced and very talented so i don’t think there will be any dark horses.
Adalita: Hmmmm… Not sure, we’ll have to see…
Hau: I can’t really say. It could possibly be Adalita. I think because she is out of her element, and people may not have seen her perform in this style of music or arena. It’s possible her die hard fans may be shocked. In a good way, that is. Even still, I’ll be the crowd favourite. Haha…
Stu Hunter: Well I don’t want to give too much away, but if I jump out from behind the keys and bust out some of my fresh ‘street tap’, everyone might be in for a bit of a surprise.
Leeroy Brown: I think everyone would agree that Adalita will be the one to look out for as she represents a totally different genre.
Have you had much of a chance to rehearse for the shows yet, or do you think there’ll be an aspect of just going with the flow on the night?
Katalyst: We have had some rehearsal time but there will be an element of going with the flow as that’s what makes live performance the most exciting.
Stephanie McKay: I think there will be a lot of room to be spontaneous and have fun. I am looking forward to the interaction between all the performers.
Adalita: I did the album launch in Melbourne and that was a fantastic opportunity for me to break through first night jitters and get a feel of what to expect. But yes, I think, just going with the flow of the night is important too. You can’t fight the vibe.
Hau: Nah, no rehearsal (well, not that I know of! Haha…). I think it will be a vibes thing. There are many artists that will be taking that stage, so I guarantee there will be some sort of magic in the air. For real, I can’t wait to see what all our creative minds will conjure up.
Stu Hunter: Katalyst, Leeroy Brown and I have been jamming and Katalyst has a definite vision for the shows, but there’s plenty of room for the mood on any given night to set the tone and too much talent on stage not to run with it.
Leeroy Brown: OK I’m not gonna lie, we do rehearse a little. But regardless of how many rehearsals we have, I think freestyling or improvisation tends to take its course for me sometimes, but somehow things just tend to sync into place.
The response to What’s Happening has been universally positive, even picking up a nomination for the J Award recently. That must be rewarding for you?
Katalyst: I’m glad people are feeling it. I hoped they would, but its nice when it turns out they do. You just never know at the end of the day how people will react to things… So with all the positive feedback it’s rewarding for sure.
Stephanie McKay: Yes it is. I am glad to be a part of it.
Adalita: I’m rapt. Ash is so talented and great to work with. And I’m very thankful for this awesome time we’re gonna have touring the record. I’m very happy for him and everyone involved in this project.
Hau: As long as my family crack a smile – I’m cool.
Stu Hunter: Yeah it’s a really cool record I’m stoked to be involved!
Leeroy Brown: I’m wrapped to be part of this historical event, but I think we must put credit where it is due and thank Ash (Katalyst) for the great writing skills, as well as all the artists involved and all the people that listen and support great music like this.
Think you’ve got an idea what to expect? Katalyst and crew hit the road this weekend for the ‘What’s Happening’ tour, proudly presented by inthemix! Tickets are on sale now.
Fri 16th Nov:The Prince Of Wales, Melbourne
Sat 17th Nov: The Gaelic Club, Sydney
Thurs 22nd Nov: The Governor HindmarshAdelaide
Fri 23rd Nov: The Rosemount, Perth
Sat 24 Nov: The Zoo, Brisbane
Want a taste? Check out the clip for All You’ve Got, featuring the vocal talents of Ru C.L and Hau who will both be joining Katalyst on tour.
