The Brisbane musical progeny has pursued a serpentine career to envy any contemporary artist.
In the space of a few days earlier this year Noonan performed a jazz gig, supported Cyndi Lauper, joining the '80s pop icon for a rousing Girls Just Want To Have Fun, and then accompanied the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
"There was one weekend where it did feel particularly schizophrenic," a droll Katie admits.
The singer/songwriter has recorded future-rock with the hugely popular george.
She's dipped into jazz with her ensemble Elixir. She's collaborated with veteran Paul Grabowsky on the avant-garde Before Time Could Change Us.
And, inheriting the operatic gifts of her mother, soprano Maggie Noonan, Katie has impressed classicists on tour with Richard Tognetti's ACO. Typically, she staged a postmodern mash-up of classical, pop and rock, including Radiohead's How To Disappear Completely.
Now, following her Gold-selling solo debut Skin, the fearless Noonan is venturing into clubland with Second Skin. "It's probably the furthest I've gone in musical change," she says. Second Skin is no generic remix album.
Noonan aspired to "create a new body of work that stood up on its own," rather than pass off an opportunist stopgap.
For Skin, Noonan tapped into vintage soul, reaching out to soul boy (and, coincidentally, former member of dance-pop band Euphoria) Andrew Klippel to produce. By contrast, Second Skin spans sultry deep house, neo-electro and groovy neo-soul. Noonan teamed with Melbourne's Electro Funk Lovers, aka John Course and mrTimothy (Tim Dudfield), at the suggestion of Warner's Michael Parisi.
The DJ/producers mined Skin's subliminal disco fervour. Noonan re-cut her vocals, warming to the challenge of re-recording songs at an altered tempo. EFL were conscious of not alienating Noonan's existing fanbase. "That's the thing, to make it an interesting record, so that we could get, not just our people, but also Katie's people who enjoy what she does," mrTimothy explains. "The ultimate would be for all the people who bought her album [Skin] to come and revisit it. They can listen to that original record at home when they're doing their la di da stuff, and they can listen to the new version of the record at work, in the iPod on the way to work, in the car, in cafes..."
EFL themselves tackled Second Skin with a different mindset. They steered away from obvious dancefloor anthems, instead composing a set of sophisticated house that might stack alongside Jill Scott, Goldfrapp or Madonna CDs. "You can strip back everything and repeat one vocal and have a bangin' club record - but how does that apply to what Katie does?," Course asks. "We wanted to make sure that we kept the integrity of the original songs, 'cause there's no point remixing it so far away from what it was that it's got absolutely no relevance anymore."
Second Skin isn't Noonan's first foray into electronica. She sang on Katalyst's acclaimed What's Happening, elevating the haunting To Dust, the best song Massive Attack never wrote.
In fact, Noonan has always maintained an interest in club culture, her brother Tyrone, from George, a DJ.
Katie cites Armand van Helden's radical recasting of Tori Amos' Professional Widow as a remix that caught her ear. "It's just music. Everyone is always so obsessed with categorising and then putting everything in a little box. For me, it's just music and it's about communicating - and that really should transcend genre."
EFL have built their reputation on remixes, but are currently developing original material and even a live show. Course is one of Australia's pioneering superstar DJs. He also co-founded the dance indie Vicious Vinyl with Andy Van. A respected studio engineer, mrTimothy savoured his own breakthrough hit with I Am Tha 1. EFL initially remixed Katie's Time To Begin, Course showcasing it on his bestselling Sessions mix-CD for Ministry of Sound. "Their remixing approach sounded very musical to me," Noonan says. "It wasn't just 'grab a vocal, put some four-on-the-floor down, and there's a remix.'
"I do find some remixes don't present any new musical ideas. These guys have a strong musical identity and make really strong and very musical decisions." Second Skin turned out so well that nobody in Noonan's orbit could decide on a single. They eventually settled on the '80s R&B Logic.
Today Course is excited that high-profile artists like Noonan are open to dance. He believes that Second Skin is the manifestation of a wider music revolution - the same change allowing Noonan to sing Radiohead in a classical recital. "Fifteen years ago dance music was a dirty word with anybody who wasn't into clubbing," Course enthuses. "When I started DJing, you were either a rock head or a dance head. Now, across all genres of music, they're mashing together."
Hey Katie, When are you going to make it to Perth? We seem to be missing out on all your live vocal splendour. The new album is fabulous. Loving the sound
We’ll be hosting and performing at the 9th Annual Brisbane Queer Film Festival Opening Night Party alongside Scissor Sisters Tour DJ Sammy Jo(!!!!). Friday 23 May 9pm, tickets from www.brisbanepowerhouse.org. The Maidens’ posse of actor slash model slash dancers will be there, too!
We can’t wait – it’s gonna be a great party!
And to celebrate the film festival, here’s the link to our latest film clip for ‘Strange Girl’!
VWatch The Boat People's new video for Awkward Orchid Orchard - the first single from the new album Chandeliers. You can even download a FREE MP3. http://www.theboaties.com/free
How many band names can you find?There are AT LEAST 52 names of other bands hidden as clues in this clip. Bands you love, bands you hate, bands that you kinda think are OK. How many can you find?
hey Katie! hope you & your people are well. Just thought i should let you know i'm playing Rics Bar Sunday 18 May 4pm, w/ Merri-May Gill as very funny and special guest support- Fi Claus :>
thankyou for what was a beautiful concert in perth with the aco. it was truly amazing and you continue to astound me with your style and presence. thanks for the photo afterwards too :) take care x
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As Molly would say, ‘Do yourself a favour!’ Maiden Speech CD Coming Out Party! At The Zoo Thursday 7th February A lineup 2Die4: Yeo and the Freshgoods “Get Fresh” “Hot Soundz” from Hunz “Brilliant songwords” by Jacob Diefenbach MC Ghostboy And much much more! Get tix at www.thezoo.com.au
Hey sweetheart, talk about feeling spoit! First the amazing album and now a remix album on the way! Bring it on! Missed out on Adel Town Hall Tix which is a pity - Im sure it will be amazing!
Your performance @ the Zoo on Sat night was amazing! Had a really wonderful time - even with the couple have a HUGE pash right next to me : ) Take care Hannah
APRIL 19th 2.30 - 7pm Reiki Level Two $250 ** Places for all classes are limited and bookings are essential** Workshop dates are subject to change – please confirm date of your class when booking.
Now available: Re-sit Reiki Level One/Two for $50 (Perri's Ex-student), $100 (other).
To book or for more information CLICK ON THE ICON BESIDE THIS POST.
From a former student, just wanted to say I love the new album and Bluebird has become a sort of life song for me. It is often the song that keeps me going with this life I have chosen. Thank you. :-)
