Skip to content

The spirit of Prince visits the Royal City (3 photos)

Play for the Cat have gone to great lengths to capture the 'purr-fect' Minneapolis sound for their new summer release

During a 2010 interview, the late pop music legend Prince was asked about his enduring legacy and he said, “The key to longevity is to learn every aspect of music that you can.”

For Guelph-based band, Play for the Cat, the key to their sound was to learn every aspect of Prince’s writing and production processes as well as to tap into the broad range of musical influences and styles of that genre.

“I have a lot of musical influences,” said lead singer and songwriter Mike Levy. “Temptations, Stan Ridgeway, James Brown, Rick James, Prince, Sisters of Mercy. There are just so many. I had a record collection that was the size of this wall.”

Levy worked as a DJ for more than 20 years. He came to know the music inside out and he wasn’t just playing it, he was quietly making his own.

“I have written quite a few songs,” said Levy. “It is written for cats. I test every song with my cat Tweed and if he sticks around we go for it. The name of the band Play for the Cat, originally, was a joke because I wouldn’t play for anybody but my cat.”

His guitar teacher Adrian Raso eventually convinced Levy to play his songs for humans and even agreed to help him record them.

“When Mike first approached me about making a record the songs had a more acoustic style,” said Raso. “We thought if we are going to do this 80s style record then you’ve got to go all out and use authentic instruments and sounds to make it work.”

Levy was prepared to make the necessary sacrifices both figuratively and symbolically.

“I sold all my vinyl when vinyl got hip so, I could buy the Moog Sub 37 synthesizer for this record,” said Levy. “Then there was Adrian’s fix on the Linn Drum, which was Prince’s go-to drum machine. He had it modified exactly as Prince had it. Which is very cool.”

The Linn Drum came out in 1982 and only 5,000 were made. Surviving models are rare but Levy tracked one down in Newfoundland where it was being used by a jig band.

They contacted its legendary designer Roger Linn who said he no longer serviced them and described it as an antique. He did however connect them with Prince’s former drum tech Bruce Forat.

“Prince would fly Bruce anywhere in the world to fix his Linn Drums,” said Raso. “Bruce said it is one of the best drum machines ever made. The only people that could afford them were stars of that era.”

Of course Prince used human drummers as well and one of those drummers, Sheila E, was a guest artist on Raso’s 2011 album, Nina del Sol.

For this latest project they sought out Michael Bland aka Michael B who played drums for Prince in the New Power Generation.

Michael B hooked them up with engineer Ed Ackerson and they flew down to record at his studio in Minneapolis.

“Both Ed and Michael liked it instantly, which was the litmus test for me,” said Raso. “They made comments that the songs and arrangements were really cool.”

Their backup vocalist, Reggae and R&B singer, Tamara Marshall, became part of the project somewhat serendipitously.

“Tamara is related to me through a half brother who I found out about way late in life,” said Levy. “I only met him five years ago and he tells me he has a partner that is a really good singer. I heard her vocal tracks and said it’s got to be her.”

Raso is a well-known Prince fan and cites him as his inspiration for picking up the guitar. He has a reputation for plunging fully into any style he is exploring whether it be Latin, gypsy jazz, rock-a-billy, heavy metal or funk and he reveled in the opportunity to explore his favourite genre of music and emulate his idol.

“Adrian’s sound is all over this record,” said Levy. “His guitar is phenomenal and that is really why it attracted Michael B.”

Their mutual love of the music and pursuit of authenticity has created a state of inertia that they hope spills over and spawns other projects including a new record label and production company.

“It’s like a team now,” said Raso. “Tamara is there and Michael will do the drums if we need him. It is something we are going to build and get going. We are also going to support the local scene because I have always believed there is a lot of talent in this city. The artistic community here per capita is a hundred times better than Toronto.”

See a promo for the upcoming record here.


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Troy Bridgeman

About the Author: Troy Bridgeman

Troy Bridgeman is a multi-media journalist that has lived and worked in the Guelph community his whole life. He has covered news and events in the city for more than two decades.
Read more