‘Another large loss to music’: Tributes pour in for standard singer after Glen Hansard

Irish indie pop artist Catherine ‘Cat’ Dowling, who was born in Kilkenny and was based in Dublin, has died, with tributes pouring in for the talented Alphastates singer

Popular music has been left devastated following the passing of indie pop sensation Catherine ‘Cat’ Dowling.

Regarded as one of the most compelling and stirring voices in modern Irish music, Dowling initially gained recognition as the lead singer of Dublin group Babelfish. Dowling established the band in 2001 alongside guitarist Gerry Horan, bass player Stevie Kavanagh and drummer Graham Gilligan.

Babelfish subsequently evolved into the acclaimed electro/dream-pop collective Alphastates, with the group launching their first album Made from Sand in 2004; their concluding record, Human Nature, arrived in stores in 2009.

Dowling unveiled her first solo record The Believer in 2013, and the title track featured in the second series of Banshee and the Witches of East End TV series, reports the Irish Mirror.

Her track Somebody Else was also featured in the Irish independent film My Name is Emily, while she contributed her voice to numerous collaborative ventures, including the popular ABC drama How To Get Away With Murder, starring Oscar winner Viola Davis.

In 2021, Dowling unveiled the widely praised album Animals, produced by Gerry Horan with Dowling as co-producer, and mixed by Ger McDonnell (The Cure, U2, Van Morrison, Martha Wainwright, Shane McGowan, Sinead O’Connor). Dowling was the daughter of former Fine Gael politician Richard Dowling, who served as a TD for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency from 1982 to 1987.

He also served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from May to November 1982.

Dowling, a mother-of-three, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2017 and the singer had spoken candidly about her battle with the disease.

The Kilkenny native’s death was confirmed by Hot Press, with the long-running music magazine’s editor Niall Stokes leading the tributes to the influential artist.

“She was a lovely person, and a hugely original musician. She will be greatly missed,” he said.

Legendary Galway rock band The Stunning were amongst those to pay tribute to Cat, with the group describing her passing as “another huge loss to Irish music” following the tragic death of singer Glen Hansard last week.

“We are so saddened to hear of the death of Catherine ‘Cat’ Dowling. She was a true original,” they said. “Deepest sympathies to her family and friends. She is another huge loss to Irish music.

“If you don’t know her music check it out on all the streaming platforms. She opened for us in Kilkenny a few years back. her last album ‘Animals’ is superb. Rest in peace Catherine, you can play some tunes with Glen.”