PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
WE ARE THE CATALYST are back with a stunning new video, One More Day, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3EzQTvrh1M . If you are yet to be familiar with the band, check out our intro piece below:
What is the full band line-up, who plays what?
Cat Fey – Vocals,
Kenny Boufadene – Guitars & Vocals,
Håkan Strind – Drums,
Joni Kaartinen – Bass.
How and when did the band form?
All members were part of the Modern metal band called “One Without”. We disbanded in 2012, after years of touring with bands like Dead By April, Evergrey, Katatonia and more, as well as releasing albums on Lifeforce Records and other labels. Me (Kenny) and Cat decided to start up We Are The Catalyst to try our hands at doing something different from what we did before.
When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying?
I would say that was after we released our debut album ”Monuments” in late 2014 when we really started noticing that we were on to something with the music we made. In just a few months we were invited to tour in China (where we did our second show ever with this band) play at Bloodstock Open Air in the UK, open for Delain on one date of their UK tour, do our own headline tour of the UK and play at the festival “Planet Rockstock” (total rock). So, 2015 was a busy year for us!
What are your musical influences?
That always changes of course, but I would say currently I am inspired, if not influenced, a lot by Bring Me The Horizon, Twenty One Pilots, The Devil Wears Prada, Linkin Park, Lacuna Coil and a lot of movie soundtracks, for example Inception and Interstellar by Hans Zimmer. I also get a lot of ideas from random rap, EDM or “mainstream pop” song when driving to and from work.
Where did the name of band come from?
The name “We Are The Catalyst” is meant as encouragement to overcome and challenge the darker parts of ourselves and others, to invite the listeners to keep fighting in a rough and dark world, and try to encourage them to be their best self, even when it might seem hopeless.
How far back does your history with each other (the band members) extend? are you friends from school or any family relations?
Me and Cat are married and have been together for 10 years next year, and we have two daughters, Decibelle (4 years) and Celine (soon 5 months). Decibelle has actually already been on tour with us twice! In China and in the UK. We met when I played in a band called “As I Burn” that looked for a singer, and she applied for the position! She then followed me into “One Without” .
Joni (Bass) joined One Without a few years after that, around 2010, and Håkan (Drums) joined in 2011.
Where have you played or toured?
Delain
Countries:
China – Beijing and Shanghai, several shows
Sweden – Gothenburg
UK tour 2015:
Oct 23: Birmingham Institute (with Delain)
Oct 24: Chelmsford Asylum
Oct 26: London Black Heart
Oct 27: Folkestone Harp Restrung
Oct 28: Northampton King Billy
Oct 29: Norwich B2
Oct 30: Nottingham Doghouse
Oct 31: Sheffield Rocking Chair
Nov 01: Hull O’Rileys
Nov 03: Consett Club That Rocks
Nov 05: Lancaster Bobbin
Nov 06: Bolton Alma
Nov 07: Workington Lounge 41
Festivals:
Bloodstock open air (UK)
Planet Rockstock (UK)
Strawberry Festival (China)
If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how would you describe it?
Like the best thing they couldn´t hear. Like an explosion of color in dramatic motion in various intensity.
Do you have a tour on the horizon?
We´re always working on something, and are looking at touring in the fall and/or beginning of next year, probably as support to a larger act in UK/Europe.
Where can we find your social media sites?
www.wearethecatalystofficial.com
