Having recently released their self-titled EP, Young Kato have been getting noticed for thier mix of indie and 80’s pop. Tracks like ‘Drink, Dance, Party’ are fun, energetic and catchy as hell. What more could you want?
Young Kato bassist Joe Lever recently stepped up to the plate and took on our “If I…” questionnaire. Joe told us which defunct Manchester indie-pop band he’d like to see back together, as well which Mercury Prize winning award he wish he’d wrote and more.
If I could re-record one song it would be…
Joe Lever: I am happy with all our proper recordings on our EP so I guess it would be to go back and re-record a demo. We did a few demos of songs ‘Sink or Swim’ and ‘Thoughts’ which are floating around the internet. I would like to go back into a studio and record ‘Sink or Swim’ properly as I don’t think the demo shows the song at its full potential.
If I could re-live one tour/show it would be…
Joe: A show we played in November in-front of 8,000 people at the Bristol Christmas Lights switch on. Was pretty mental playing in front of that amount of people.
If I had the chance to play one venue it would be…
Joe: Wembley Arena of course.
If I could play with one band it would be…
Joe: I would say a big stadium band like Coldplay or U2. The fact that they pull such insane crowds would make for a good show, the bigger the crowd the better as far as I’m concerned.
If I could play with any person living or dead it would be…
Joe: Probably Bob Marley actually even though his music is completely different to ours. I have always really liked his songs and I saw that film about him recently and it was pretty inspiring, I think he would have been a great guy to play with.
If I could bring back any band that have split up, it would be…
Joe: I think its a real shame Pegasus Bridge split up, so yeah I will go with them!
If I wasn’t playing music, I would be…
Joe: At school/college and doing what most normal teenagers do, which I still am whilst balancing with playing music!
If I could play a different genre it would be…
Joe: I have always been intrigued by electronic music, so maybe I would be a DJ or Producer of some sort if I wasn’t in a band. I am pretty open to all genres of music though. Reggae would be quite fun, sometimes at band practice we go on a bit of a tangent swapping instruments and playing different genres. The other day we had a Jam as a reggae/dub band and I was the vocalist – its probably a good thing we didn’t record it.
If I could have written any song it would be…
Joe: ‘Unbelievable’ by EMF.
If I could have written any album it would be…
Joe: ‘xx’ by The XX. It’s such a great album, I would be very proud if I had written that.
If I could headline any festival, it would be…
Joe: Glastonbury would be the ultimate dream.
If I could organise my own festival, the bands playing would be…
Joe: It would probably comprise of a long list of every band on my iPod.
If I could play any other instrument, it would be…
Joe: Definitely piano.
If I could give one piece of advice to a new band, it would be…
Joe: We ourselves are a new band still learning so I don’t think I really have the authority to give any master-classes or advice! I guess just stick at it, work hard, keep writing music and don’t give up if you really want it.
‘Young Kato’ EP by Young Kato is out now through LAB Records.
Young Kato links: Facebook|Twitter|Soundcloud
Words by Sean Reid