FAULT Magazine caught up with Gypsy & The Cat, A London based alternative duo from Melbourne Australia consisting of Lionel Towers and Xavier Bacash.

Hear more: http://www.myspace.com/gypsyandthecat

FAULT: How has 2010 been for you so far?

It’s been a very exciting year so far. We made the big shift from Australia to London and so far we have been mixing and mastering our album as well as putting together our live show getting ready for touring.

FAULT: Tell us about your musical background?

We were both french house DJs upon meeting, but have played various instruments over the years. Both our families are musical so it was kind of a given that music would play some sort of role in both of our lives.

FAULT: What is the creative process of your music?

We produce as we write. Usually we come up with an idea first about direction and tempo, and then focus on chord structure and arrangement as we lay down each element. Vocals are usually laid down last though we are quite conscious of vocal melody as we are layering the elements. Lyrics come as the melodies are written.

FAULT: What music did you grow up listening to?

Lionel: Michael Jackson and lots of classical music primarily. Composers such as Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff were constantly being played at home, whether it was me on the piano, or our record player in the living room. When I hit late teens that’s when I started listening to lot’s of dance/electronic/ rock music and really exploring different genres both popular and niche.

Xavier: Mainly Rock from the 70’s through to the 00’s.

FAULT: What was it like being a band based in Australia?

Well we have been a studio project up until we relocated to London so we can’t really answer that question.

FAULT: What do you think of the current Australian music scene?

Australia has some great music coming out and it’s where we grew up so we obviously have a soft spot for it.  One standout Australian artist for us this year is Midnight Juggernauts who have just released a new album called ‘Crystal Axis’ which is amazing.

FAULT: Do you think it’s important to gain commercial success to give?

you the freedom to be creative without limits?

Not at all. We wrote our album completely for our own enjoyment and there was no intention for any commercial success. We believe that being authentic, having no creative limits, and writing music that evokes a certain feeling, are the ultimate ingredients to writing good music and that’s all that should matter.

FAULT: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Lionel: Michael Jackson and Bach

Xavier: Jeff Buckley

FAULT: What kind of music do you listen to yourself?

Music we listen to is endless. Most of it comes from the 70’s right though to today. If we were to write out a list of artists we listen to we would be here forever because there is too many. Electronic artists range from Kraftwerk to new nu disco artist ‘Tensnake’. Rock artists range from Led Zep to The Police to Radiohead. Urban artists like Aaliyah to Notorious BIG are also worth mentioning. A good song is a good song regardless of genre and era and there are many!

FAULT: Do you have artistic involvement when it comes to your videos,and

Album photos/artwork?

Absolutely. In terms of aesthetic, artwork and how we want to be portrayed we have strong involvement and collaborate with the label and everyone around us. We usually form a combination of ideas and tweaks which requires everyone’s stamp of approval before something goes out.

FAULT: Is there a female vocalist you would like to collaborate with?

Stevie Nicks or Kim Carnes would be amazing to work with.

FAULT: What is your FAULT?

Excessive daily fruit juice intake