Today, Australian shoegaze artist Singer. Mattress. Cat. shares his intimate lo-fi debut solo album Subtropical Personality out now. Led by Martin Cooke of cult favorite indie rock outfit Gaslight Radio, the new project is an ode to survival and meets the longtime musician where he is today as he positively reflects on the passage of time, hardship and failure. Plus, the artist shares "Nico Wanted to be a Drummer," a personal tribute to an old friend.
Written over the last two years on NYC's Lower East Side on an old acoustic guitar and recorded in Melbourne, the forthcoming lo-fi project cements the artist's memories–the good and the bad–hidden in a subtext of humorous melancholy. Cooke shares, "The album is a homage to that wildness of my childhood and all the friends who turned to crime to survive. I am the one left holding the torch to tell their stories."
As it documents his life and celebrates his failures, the artist reflects, "I have always lived by the notion that music, or any art form for that matter, should be about failing beautifully. Embrace your failures, for your success will be the death of your art. I have been failing forever. I would never have it any other way. As long as I like the stuff I write. And I guess that is all that really counts."
Expanding on the album and modern times, the musician adds, "If Zohran Mamdani can become Mayor of New York City, then there's hope for every DIY indie artist in the world," and offers, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," the African proverb was also one of the inspirations for this album."
Singer. Mattress. Cat. shares "Nico Wanted to be a Drummer" is a personal homage to an old friend, sharing it's, "about a friend of mine (Zhangyao Chen) from China, and who was inspired by The Velvet Underground (Nico) Christa Päffgen, so she took Nico as her English name."
With an ironic song title, the second single "Postcard Sort of Day," explores the gig economy and short-end jobs, and the bond that can grow in a monotonous routine, even while daydreaming of a life beyond.
Listen: "Postcard Sort of Day"
The previously released "Little Broken Moon," muses on the heartbreak of a first love, missed connections and leaving everything behind in order to grow. The song's protagonist holds onto the memory of his former love with photos and mementos, coming to terms with its end. The Needle Drop wrote, "The track is a stripped-down ’90s lo-fi ditty reminiscent of Daniel Johnston, Sunset Rubdown, or even early Animal Collective." Listen: "Little Broken Moon"
Martin Cooke formed indie rock band Gaslight Radio with his brother, Rory Cooke, in Queensland in 1995 to much acclaim and built a cult-like following. Australian Broadcast Company wrote the band's music is, "restrained and anthemic" and features "woozy guitar lines, towering shards of distortion and enigmatic lyrics." The group shared stages with The Breeders, Teenage Fan Club, Sparklehorse, Pavement, Spoon, Pulp, Yo La Tengo and more and soundtracked Armani's campaign in winter 2015. Now, three decades later, the musician is ready to re-introduce himself with a full-length album that captures the joy of music-making and transports listeners back to his childhood suburban Australian streets.
Singer. Mattress Cat's raw debut solo record Subtropical Personality is out now. Connect with the musician via Instagram. | 
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