Catpack - Midnight (Single)
Photo Credit: Lauren Desberg
Los Angeles trio - Phil Beaudreau, Jacob Mann, and Amber Navran (of Moonchild) release the dreamy, funk-jam “Midnight” taken from their upcoming album “Catpack” [Out Friday 21st June]. Catpack was born out of a deep admiration and genuine friendship among three esteemed musicians, each bringing their unique sounds together to create something fresh and vibrant.
The alternative R&B meets nocturnal funk “Midnight” is the only track from the upcoming album that came about through a jam session, which took place at Phil’s apartment. The noodling was loose and relaxed, with spectral keys and synth tones that drift through Jacob’s spacey, stripped-back arrangement. Phil’s cathartic musings vividly replay his "missteps and memories", describing how they linger as he drifts into sleep. Phil shares, "I kept envisioning shadows dancing across the wall at night, experiencing a mix of restlessness, melancholy, and a hint of mischievous delight... all of which served as inspiration for the lyrics". Amber’s bridge continues the hazy soundscape with her breathy, low-toned melodies.
'Catpack 'is a whimsical and light-hearted venture featuring ten tracks from the Los Angeles trio. The LP includes the group's debut single “What I've Found”, which launched the project alongside a playful animated lyric video and “Walk Away”. Catpack have already garnered support from the likes of SoulBounce, Wordplay Magazine and Toshio Matsuura.
The genuine camaraderie and mutual admiration shared among the three creatives is palpable in its organic, joyfulexploration of musical expression. Amber adds, “to me, it’s three people with distinct sounds who love and admire each other, coming together to make something new”. The result is an authentic convergence of their artistry, drawing on their influences to harness a jazz-influenced R&B sound with neo-soul, funky and electronic motifs. The quirky namesake is taken from a synth patch resembling cats meowing that they discovered in the studio and an ingenious merch idea that followed (search Google for catpacks).
Phil Beaudreau plays trumpet, sings and produces in Catpack. Dr. Dre, Justin Bieber, Lalah Hathaway, The Game,and Travis Barker are just a few of the names the Los Angeles producer, writer and recording artist has worked with over the last several years. After garnering major label attention with his debut album, ‘Ether’, Beaudreau signed to Def Jam Universal as part of his duo group AOE. In 2020, Beaudreau received GRAMMY nominations for his work as executive producer on Black Violin's newest album, ‘Take the Stairs’, and as producer on Justin Bieber's latest studio album, ‘Changes’. In September 2019, his song ‘Dreams’ (co-written with fellow Peer Publishing artist Andrew Simple) was featured in Dreamworks' animated film Abominable.
Jacob Mann is the keyboardist, clarinet player, and producer in Catpack. He has solo recordings under his own name and big band albums with the Jacob Mann Big Band (which also features Amber as a member). Jacob has released collaborative albums with jazz-funk bands such as Max Ox and Shrek Is Love and a duo album with bassist Sam Wilkes.