Cynthia Catania
Interview conducted on Aug. 5, 2022
By Dan Locke
Cynthia Catania has released a new song ‘Something Better’, and a beautiful video to match.
A former member of Saucy Monky and also front-woman with The Secret Things, the LA-based Cynthia has latterly been focussing on her work as a solo artist. Then lockdown happened – throwing a major spanner in the works, with the forced cancellation of a bunch of solo dates.
How did you start to write music?
As a tween, I just sang melodies and lyrics I came up with to my brother’s guitar parts. They were terrible songs! Eventually, I started to learn from artists and bands and songs I admired. Real immersion “learning” began when I moved to LA. A manager I had at the time started connecting me with other pros. From that process, everything started to make sense. I was coached on song forms, arrangements, hooks – learning from others who were more experienced and successful. Like Tad Wadhams, Chris Seefried, and then, of course, Annmarie Cullen. She made all my ideas sound better!
What was your first guitar? Do you still have it?
It was an Ovation I won in a radio contest. No, I sold that shite. 🙂
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
Ohh a 1950s Kay 136. Black and white, one gorgeous pickup. Tree trunk neck that is one solid piece of wood connected to the body. Very a-typical. Very sexy.
Tell me about the rise of Saucy Monky?
It was fast and wonderful! We started out in Santa Monica (a seaside town of Los Angeles) on Annmarie’s long-standing residency at an Irish pub on Main Street. We started there with weekly shows. One Christmas she brought home our CD “Celebrity Trash” to Tom Dunne. I think she wrapped it like a present! He played it – a lot – and the rest just kept ramping up. One-off shows all around the country, radio tours, festival dates – It was incredibly exciting coming to Ireland for the first time. I have footage of those adventures in a music video I put out in 2020 called “Remember.”
How did the band get its name?
Believe it or not, it was mentioned in a book by Tina Brown called Where’s the Party?” I had to enroll everyone!
What was your first performance like?
Super fun. We weren’t yet called “Saucy Monky,” we were a collective of musicians jamming on each other’s original songs. We also toured a few colleges out of the gate.
Describe your music.
Today, I would say it’s authentic. Quirky, indie, minimal – hooky. Interesting, if I can be so bold.
What makes a good songwriter?
Someone that makes you feel something, strongly. Whether it’s an emotion, a relatable memory, an experience. Someone who can put together lyrics and melodies that hold you. Grab your attention. And then hopefully it’s packaged well with ‘er production, the recording, and performances.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
“Do You Feel.” I told you it was terrible! Yes, we recorded it!!
What is the process of writing your music?
Today I wait for inspiration. Like plucking a gem out of a frequency in the universe. I think it was in the book “Big Magic.” All the ideas are up there, floating around. Whoever grabs it first get’s to turn it into reality. Once the idea is there, I pass it around to my collaborators. My goal is always to write the best song. So I like to bring a team to it..
Tell me about your single “Something Better” which comes out on Aug. 12th?
Yes! I’m excited for this one! It was the idea that as a human being – one is never quite satisfied. That there’s always something better, something more, something flashier out there that’s gonna catch my eye and attention. Something I need to have. A lover, money, experiences. How do I reconcile that? And so the answer is surrender.
Will there be a video for the song. And will you get Sue Ann Pien to do it?
Yes! She’s amazing at pulling rabbits out of hats! Life was happening – stuff that pushed our schedules back, so I didn’t know if we’d have time for this video. But low and behold, this past weekend we hit the road with our cameras, a friend, and a drone —- I still don’t know what it’s about but I will be as surprised as the next guy! I can say that what I’ve seen so far looks rad, as we like to say in Southern California. 🙂
Digital vs. vinyl?
For now digital. Vinyl in future! (When I can carry more bags on overseas flights!!)
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Mad World by Gary Jules. I think maybe because Sue Ann likes to play it on the piano. But how applicable is it, right now? Things are absolutely bat sh*t crazy in the States …and Ukraine. I’m leaning into my spiritual faith and higher consciousness to keep from swirling into despair and hopelessness. There are a lot of smart, hard-working protesters making headway. That’s where my money is. Not on the deeply embedded racism, or power mongers who seem to only care about themselves.
What is your happy place?
Music. Being on stage. My home. My garden. My projects. My relationship… my puppy!
What is your feeling about TikTok? With Sony Music and Warner Music strucking an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Well, anything is possible!! It would help if I could remember my login.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I am excited to see if this song, ‘Something Better’ improves the quality of anyone’s life – Ya know? That’s my job as a music maker. And performer. I hope that someone, many, may fall in love with it. If it makes their day-to-day just a little bit easier – by turning it up loud in the car! Or in their earbuds! Singing along. Watching what I hope turns out to be a fun and interesting video. That would make me very happy.
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