As founding myths go, it’s a charmer:
“I heard there was this genius banjo player from Lurgan,” says Stevie Scullion, “and I knew I had to meet him.”
Don’t you love Cat Malojian already?
Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Scullion and his partner-in-crime, Jonathan Toman, a pair of unassuming and quietly-spoken chaps, who have been stealthily building a reputation of late as songwriters of real substance and potential.
Gossip fans would perhaps be advised to steer clear, but for anyone who has ever kicked back and wallowed in the Class A Americana of the Burritos and CSN& Y, the duo will prove to be an unexpected treat. Their Mudd Wallace produced debut EP, Life Rolls On, offers a master class in plaintive song-writing and gentle, down-home charm.
As both come from families steeped in folk music (Toman has been playing live with his father and uncle in a bluegrass group since childhood), it’s perhaps unsurprising that the band’s sound is so prodigiously warm and melodic. Or that their approach to their work contrasts sharply with the chest-beating ambition of many of their peers.
“We’re both happy enough writing songs and playing for ourselves,” says Toman. “And I think that comes from our backgrounds. From my own experience, playing with folk bands and bluegrass bands, the idea of being signed for a huge amount of money doesn’t really come into it. I mean it would be great, but I’d say anyone who is honestly into it is happy enough doing it for its own sake.”
Since making their live debut at a fancy dress fundraiser back home in Armagh (“Bobby Charlton jumped up and tried to kick us off half way through the set”), Cat Malojian have been decidedly choosey over what kind of stages they take to. So, the well-beaten pub-circuit familiar to most aspiring bands has been largely eschewed in favour of the more gentle and sympathetic ambience provided by local folk clubs.
“We’re not looking for gigs to make money,” explains Scullion. “We only want to play if we feel it can help us improve, and playing in bars can be soul-destroying. You can end up with your head in your hands.”
“You tend to be given more respect and a better hearing in folk clubs,” adds Toman. “Even if there aren’t as many people there, the ones who do show up are there to listen.”
“Until people come to the gigs especially to listen to you there’s no point in playing,” Scullion maintains. “Damien Dempsey plays the Ulster Hall and you can hear a pin drop. I know there’s this thing about making people pay attention to you – but I don’t agree with that. I don’t see the point in banging your head against a brick wall, when you could be playing for people who are genuinely interested in hearing your songs. I’d much rather play to 10 people who are paying attention than to 50 or 60 who spend all their time talking to their mates.”
Their quest to cultivate a more clued-in and considerate audience has received a great boost recently with the news that Vodaphone have chosen ‘Life Rolls On’ as the signature tune for their latest radio campaign.
“It all happened through MySpace,” reveals Scullion. “We put a few songs on and, almost as soon as they went on, we were contacted by a company called Leap who supply music for ads to different firms and companies. They stuck it on a compilation CD just before Christmas and within a few weeks Vodaphone got in touch with us asking if they could use it on a radio campaign.”
Had you any qualms about allowing your music to be used in an ad?
“Not really. We’re happy enough. The most important thing is being able to record an album and being able to make it sound just the way we want it to. Hopefully this can provide the kind of funds that will help us along the way to achieving that. We’ve hundreds of songs ready to go,” he smiles. “It’s about time we started putting them out.”
Cat Malojian play Ards Art Centre, April 27