Gypsy & The Cat

Following in the footsteps of Cut Copy, Ladyhawke, and Empire of the Sun, Gypsy & the Cat are a self-described "semi-acoustic chillwave" duo who further cemented Australia's reputation as the ultimate hotbed of synth pop talent. Named after a children's book, guitarist/drummer Xavier Bacash and classically trained pianist Lionel Towers both attended the same high school, but due to their three-year age difference, only struck up a friendship when they met while DJ'ing in Melbourne. Quickly bonding over a shared love of French house music and '80s pop greats such as Michael Jackson, Queen, and the Police, the pair began playing together in various local bands, including conceptual electronic outfit Night Corps, before deciding to record music as a duo under the guise of Gypsy & the Cat. After uploading some of their material on MySpace, they attracted the attention of influential Australian radio station Triple J, who continued to support them throughout their career, and Mark Ronson, who played their track, "Time to Wander," on his East Village radio show. After signing to RCA, they relocated to Stoke Newington, London, where they opened for the Strokes and Foals, performed at the Splendour in the Grass, One Movement, and NME Weekender Festivals, and worked on material with producers Rich Costey (Franz Ferdinand) and Dave Fridmann (the Flaming Lips). Described as the 21st century answer to Simon & Garfunkel, their debut album, Gilgamesh, which featured the singles "Jona Vark" and "The Piper's Song," was released in 2010. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi