Inside Amplifest: Katabatic

Much more than just a promising band, KATABATIC have long established themselves as one of the most relevant Portuguese post-rock outfits. Following the release of ‘Vago’ EP and a long string of shows that that included an Iberian tour with Caspian and opening slots for Russian Circles and A Storm of Light, the first full length ‘Heavy Water’ showed the world how special this band can be.
Before their Amplifest debut, we talked to João (bass player):

What do you expect of the Amplifest audience?
It’s probably going to be one of the best audiences we’ve ever had as we seem to fit the festival’s genre quite well, generally speaking. We’re confident with our set and we expect that a lot of people will like it and will want to follow us further. The number of people attending is also a plus for us since we’re used to play quite small shows.

We like surprises, but what can we expect from your show?
We’ll be playing a 45 min. set so we’ll play about half of our debut record and also some new songs off the EP we recorded this summer that should be out later this year. Other than that, just a lot of heart and energy as we always try to do.

Which band do you really want to see at Amplifest?
Chelsea Wolfe. I found her music years ago and I’ve been following her career since then but never got the chance to see her performing. I showed some of her songs to Chris Common, who was my flatmate last year, and it turns out that some months after that she signed to Sargent House and he ended up mixing her record. It’s quite a cool coincidence as I really like his work too.
We’ve played with Russian Circles before so it’s going to be nice to see them and hang out again.

If you had to pick a band or a musician of this Amplifest edition to play with who would it be?
I’d have to say Chelsea Wolfe again. We’re mostly an instrumental band so the idea of adding a layer with her voice to our music is what comes up to my head immediately.

What records have you been listening lately?
“Is survived by”, by Touché Amoré and “Dolores” by Bohren & der Club of Gore, which I only recently found out.

Enough about music, Amplifest is also about other arts. What books have you been reading and what movies have you been watching lately that you want to recommend?
I’ve been reading “The Consolations of Philosophy” by Alain de Botton and also some articles and bits on the writing of Zygmunt Bauman.
I’ve watched Woody Allen’s latest movie “Blue Jasmine” recently. I didn’t enjoy it very much but Cate Blanchett is amazing on it. Last night I was looking online for this documentary entitled “The Cats of Mirikitani”, which I didn’t find actually but should be a good recommendation if the trailer makes justice to the full piece. Otherwise, I’ll recommend “Searching for Sugar Man”, which is certainly a great documentary.