This band started out as a single that I was going to include in the ‘New Singles’ section of the Friday post. It’s a unique sound, and they had just released their debut single Matador:
It’s a great song and apparently has been viral on TikTok. It’s got lots going for it: unique instrumentation (that banjo!) the singer’s voice is distinctive and bold, and the lyrics are dark and striking. So I went looking to learn more about them, and lo and behold:
If I got paid for this I’d have to give Lou Smith a commission. It’s not even their first Lou Smith vid, they have two others.
At any rate, it’s a terrific performance. Sophie Morgan has a strong stage presence and she makes dark subjects come alive when she performs with her band. Her delivery is memorable, and the rest of the songs in that set sound great. Her voice has a ton of character, and she switches from sweet to sarcastic or cynical on a dime. Her songs seem to be populated with shady and sketchy people.
Here’s a good profile in Far Out magazine:
Whether it comes from the eyeliner-clad bands she grew up with or the glamorous scousers she was raised around back in Liverpool, Luvcat has no interest in downplaying anything or being nonchalant. “I’ve always had really strong theatrical influences,” she said, picking out Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and My Chemical Romance as a selection of teachers. “I love a show. I don’t just want to stand up and play; I want to tell the stories.”
It’s a heck of a first impression, and it will be exciting to see what’s next. Thanks Lou!
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