MissinCat Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 15th 2010 12:06AM by Megan Koester
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Caterina Barbieri, the Italian-born and Berlin-based songstress, is better known as MissinCat. Her blend of romantic indie folk makes for a sweet sound, which she talked about with Spinner as she gets set to kick off her latest North American tour (which includes a stop at SXSW).

Describe your sound.

Quiet, but loud.

How did your band form?

I'm a solo act. I used to play the bass guitar in a band (Italian rock/pop band Vertigini) for many years, and now I'm a singer-songwriter. I play live with a cello player, Marius Kiefer, and a drummer, Hanno Stick ... they are from Berlin. I met them in Berlin, where I also live. They are both amazing musicians and great humans!
What are your musical influences?

I think the music which most influences my writing is the music which I listened to when I was a child and a teenager ... Leonard Cohen, Velvet Underground, The Beatles, The Clash, Nirvana and Hole. I have a very simple attitude in writing music; I don't mind writing a whole song with only two or three chords. I guess I got (that attitude) from punk and grunge music.

How did you come up with your band name?

My nickname is Cat, from Caterina. MissinCat ... there's not much more behind it.

What's your biggest vice?

I definitely talk too much!

What's in your festival survival kit?

Sunglasses, boots, toothpaste and a toothbrush.

Who was your first celeb crush?

It would be too embarrassing to tell ... you don't want to know!

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I cannot answer things like Britney Spears or Jennifer Lopez, because that's really not my cup of tea. I feel good and comfortable with all the music I like to hear. If I feel like hearing it, whatever it is has to be good! Anyway, I think 'Toxic' by Britney Spears was a good piece, though.

Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Beatles!

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Touring is a crazy experience itself!

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