“Not a Friend”
from the album Cat’s Eyes
2011
Cat’s Eyes are a duo formed by Rachel Zeffira, a Canadian opera soprano and classical multi-instrumentalist based in London, and Faris Badwan, the singer from British psychedelic-rockers The Horrors. In the collision of their two very separate worlds, something magical has come into being. Cat’s Eyes eponymous debut album (coming April 11 UK and May 3 US) is a romantic pop masterpiece fit to dine at the same table as mid-’60s productions by Phil Spector, Joe Meek or Shadow Morton, but with a fiercely modern, experimental premise, which constantly leaves you wondering just what you’re listening to, and how on earth it was created.
Cat’s Eyes first live appearance took place in December, amid some secrecy, at St Peter’s in the Vatican, where they performed a reworked version of their song “I Knew It Was Over” during an afternoon mass attended by several high-ranking cardinals. The band’s site also has a free download of the track “Not a Friend.”
The duo’s album was recorded at RealWorld studios near Bath with producer Steve Osborne. All Cat’s Eyes artwork is designed and photographed by Chris Cunningham, director of iconic videos for Aphex Twin (“Windowlicker,” “Come to Daddy”) and Björk (“All is Full of Love”).