Pillarcat

Pillarcat is an experimental rock band from London, conceived in an East London basement as a solo project by singer, songwriter and guitarist Stephen Hodd. Hodd later brings in Pablo Tato on electric guitar and Alberto Voglino on drums, turning the project into a band. The group is later joined by Moby bassist Svetlana Vassileva.

Style and approach

The band works across experimental, ambient, acoustic, instrumental and electro-acoustic territory, and also draws on experimental folk. Its music combines finger-style acoustic guitar, progressive electric guitar rhythms, strings, cinematic soundscapes and songwriting, with a sound that resists fixed genre labels.

Releases and collaborations

Pillarcat’s debut album is Weave, an eclectic and dark record that includes the track “Fragile and the few”. That song features a guest vocal from Lou Rhodes of Lamb. The album’s influences include John Martyn, Radiohead, Do Make Say Think and Sigur Rós.

Live work

The group also develops a reputation as a live act, with the different backgrounds of its members shaping its sound and stage dynamic.