Luvcat's Marries Camp & Class in "He's My Man" [Q&A]
Somewhere between an underground Parisian jazz bar and the curious world of a Tim Burton film, you will find Luvcat: the UK’s emerging indie-pop star. You may have seen Luvcat on TikTok, performing her hit single “My Man” with a glass of wine in-hand, or perhaps you caught her traveling with the circus shortly before fleeing to pursue a musical career. Enigmatic, whimsical, and full of theatrics, witnessing the rise of Luvcat feels like the beginning of something special.
This fall, the London-based artist will be touring with none other than OnesToWatch favorites and fellow British indie group, The Last Dinner Party — and with Halloween right around the corner, we thought we would reach out and catch up with the murder-ballad-writing artist herself.
Ones To Watch: Let’s start this out with a quick introduction: What’s your name, how old are you, and where are you based?
Luvcat: My name is Luvcat and I was born in Liverpool but living in London.
Did you come from a musical household? What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
My family aren't musicians but completely obsessed with music. I was raised on my dads record collection mostly- The Birthday Party, The Waterboys, The Smiths to name a few. My grandad also used to take me to the theater and blast Frank Sinatra in his car.
Tell us more about the circus. What was it like being on the road, and did this foreshadow your decision to pursue music in any way?
I think being in a band is definitely similar. It's a traveling circus of sorts.. just a little less dangerous. A little.
Where does the alias “Luvcat” derive from? What's the origin story?
It's taken from the scratchy and slinky song by The Cure called The Lovecats. And it's spelt with a U because I'm northern and that's how I say it haha.
You’ve played a few shows this year; any standout moments/memories?
We just played our first headline soldout show in Paris which I still can't process to be honest. There was a queue down the street of fans that couldn't get tickets and they watched through the windows. To see the audience singing every word will stay with me forever I think.
The music video for “He’s my man” is officially out; congrats! It’s so campy and feels like it's right in time for Halloween. What was it like seeing your song come to life, visually?
We made the video with a crew of only 2, so I'm pretty proud of how we brought my mad little idea to life/death. The old English cottage was perfectly sinister just how I planned.
Musically or non musically, what is inspiring you right now?
I am reading a book called Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke which a French lover gave to me. There's some beautiful insights in there.
Who are your dream collaborators?
Tom Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan.
What can we expect from Luvcat in the months to come?
The third single is coming out on Halloween and then we are on the road for most of November. Hopefully our biggest headline tour yet to be announced soon too.
And lastly, who are your Ones to Watch? (any artists you've been loving lately)
I just found an artist called MJ Lenderman. I saw a video of him playing live and it blew me away.