Catnapp is the guise of Argentinian artist Amparo Battaglia. Doing her very own thing since many years, the Berlin based producer, singer/rapper and striking performer has already (self-)released a couple of records full of boundless creativity and originality, taking whatever she needs from every electronic genre as well as pop and rap music. Amparo cites classic influences like The Prodigy, Aphex Twin, OutKast or Beyoncé, while her productions also draw from today’s post-internet and post-rap sounds. In a recent interview she said about her music: „On the one hand I just want people to enjoy a nice fat beat. On the other I also want them to receive the sensations I’m trying to transmit. Love, sadness, anger. I want them to get inside my story and make it theirs.“ Catnapp’s musical vision is fresh and freewheeling, open-hearted yet confrontational. If she’s too strong, you’re too weak.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
If we are talking about the motive that drives me to make music, it would be transmitting a feeling to someone else. When I’m at a live concert that drives me crazy making me burst into tears, or hear a song that jumps me out of bed and live, or one that lets me cry, to then be alright again…. THAT is what I want to give to others. Being able to inspire strength, sadness, nostalgia, love, or whatever strong and important feeling to someone else. Preferably with a good outcome for them.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I’ve always made music since I can remember. I went through different phases and tried several paths. I used to play the guitar and make poppy Britney Avril Lavignish songs through my early teenage days, studied singing and guitar, played in a band… I later discovered electronic – Big Beat – hip hop music like The Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, Cypress Hill, Outkast, that drove me to experiment in another realm. At 18 I started studying Electronic Music Production in Argentina, diving 100% into that world. I produced electro, house, minimal, minimal techno, but I wold always underlayer some breaks here and there. At 23 I went to a DNB club for the first time and started Catnapp right after that night.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
The Prodigy – Fat Of The Land
Limp Bizkit – Significant Other
JPEGMAFIA – Veteran
Chemical Brothers – Push The Button
Fever Ray – Fever Ray
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
A bunch of people exploding creatively. One of the biggest more intense creation and party congresses in the world. Its like another dimension. Also a place to escape for many.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
I have a lot of favourite places. The canal at Kreuzberg in the spring is one. Basically everywhere in the spring and my bed in winter.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I would definitely be an astronomer and work at N.A.S.A. or S.E.T.I.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
JPEG Mafia – Veteran
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Tyler the Creator or The Prodigy.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Berghain (Berlin) last 11.18 and Niceto (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 11.17.
10. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have an 18 year-old half-brother in Argentina. He is also a musician and that of course makes me extremely happy. We share our new tracks and projects and ask each other for advice. He is very talented.
Catnapp will support Modeselektor on their upcoming live tour, including the first of their two sold-out Berlin shows in early March! For all of Catnapp’s upcoming dates click here.
Photo by Luciana Damiao
Styling by Mayte Stevani
Hair & make-up by Clara Dietz
