That's how the 'Live on Earth' CD/DVD came about. It's a chance for fans to relive the live experience at home.
The Cat Empire have just returned from a national tour in support of their Live on Earth record. As DJ Jumps explains, “It was great to be on the road again, to see all the places that we have played several times around Australia! The band is feeling good, so it’s been a lot of fun!
“The fans as usual were amazing, they gave us a lot of energy! They were there to have a good time, and we were really stoked that there was a good turn out for all of the shows.”
When asked about the murmurs concerning the band's status, Jumps is quick to assure they're all good and have simply been relaxing after some exhausting touring schedule. “We just had a bit of time off, and that’s really it,” he muses.
The fact everyone has their own little side-project going is also seen as a benefit. "I think having everyone doing their own individual thing, it sort of gives them a chance to do things that they would not normally do in the Cat Empire. It lets them express themselves fully,” he adds.
Jumps addition to the band was one that came about thanks to being in the right place at the right time. “Yeah, I was just at a friend’s place; my friend went to school with Felix and he got word that he was scratching and DJing,” Jumps explains. “Then one time Felix rang him and asked him whether he wanted to jam with the band, and he was not that keen, so he passed the call onto me. It was just great timing.”
Although Jumps concedes that the group's success may have seemed sudden, it took several years of hard work to become an overnight sensation. “I don’t think it was that quick, we had been playing for two or three years. It may have looked like we came out of nowhere, when we started getting radio play, but it look a lot of time and effort to get to that stage,” he laughs. "But, as all bands know, it takes a lot of work.”
Hard work is definitely something The Cat Empire know about; as of the middle of 2009 the band will have passed their 700th show mark. In total, it’s estimated they have played before a total of 4,265,000 people. With another European tour (alongside Missy Higgins) on the cards, that figure should climb steadily throughout the rest of the year.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” Jumps grins. “I don’t think we have ever played with Missy Higgins before, maybe on the same festival line up, but never our own show together, so it should be really great!”
Copyright : MTV Australia
