Katie Noonan is one of those artists who never seems to sit still.
She became an indie goddess with her work in George, turned to a more reflective jazz-laded sound with her first solo album Skin, and explored the works of Lennon and McCartney with Blackbird. For the last two years Katie’s gone in another direction with her latest band, The Captains. With Cameron Deyell on guitar, Stu Hunter on keys and bass, and Declan Kelly manning the drums, Katie is now exploring a more organic sound.
The band’s album, Emperor’s Box, is slated for an April release, so we’ve still got a few months to wait, but today I got a taste of what’s to come. I heard one of the new songs, “Time,” and I’m very impressed. I think the George fans who criticized Katie’s solo albums will embrace this, as it really is back to basics. There’s a little edge here, just a hint of that familiar George angst, but it’s softened by strings and Katie’s pure, heavenly voice.
For this album Katie’s written tracks with a who’s who of Australian and New Zealand talent. There’s Tim Finn, Don Walker, Sia, Josh Pyke, and Tom Shapcott, not to mention her esteemed Captains band mates. With these kind of folks lending their skills, I’m sure Emperor’s Box will be one of the big albums of 2010.
Image source: The Harbour Agency