Fantastic Cat
CRITIC'S PICK:
Wed., April 22
Fantastic Cat, Jilliette Johnson, Vinyl - The multi-instrumentalist funny guys in Fantastic Cat probably have a rental unit in Atlanta for as often as they play here. They graduate from Eddie's Attic to a larger venue, just in time to release their third album Cat Out of Hell. Cool, wry pop similar to Fountains of Wayne and sumptuous vocal harmonies deliver terrific songs you'll be singing after the first spin. Their bio amusingly and verbosely describes the live show as "a ramshackle house party full of existential searchers, desperate romantics and barstool philosophers," if that helps. Opener Nashville-based Johnson loves classic pop rock (as opposed to country), an appreciation displayed on a wonderful new EP The Pain, My Friend, influenced by Carole King among others, but with a better sense of humor. - Hal Horowitz
From the venue:
Fantastic Cat
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the supergroup you need to know,” Fantastic Cat emerged to broad critical acclaim with the release of their irreverent debut, The Very Best of Fantastic Cat, which earned the instrument-swapping, vocal-trading four-piece their first national TV appearance, sold out headline dates around the US and Europe, a performance at the Sundance Film Festival, and a song in the Paramount+ series Tulsa King. Two years later, they followed it up with the similarly lauded Now That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat, which featured an appearance from Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz, landed the band dates with Dawes and Lucius, and prompted WFUV to declare them “one of the best Americana and rock bands to tumble out of New York over the last few years.”
Now, Fantastic Cat has defied the odds—and their therapists’ strong recommendations—to return with their third and finest album yet, Cat Out Of Hell. Produced by the band and mixed by D. James Goodwin (Goose, Kevin Morby, The Hold Steady), the collection elevates Fantastic Cat’s trademark blend of craftsmanship and chaos to new sonic heights, capturing the freewheeling, lightning in a bottle energy of their must-see live show and channeling it into a ramshackle house party full of existential searchers, desperate romantics, and barstool philosophers.
Individually, each member of Fantastic Cat boasts their own impressive resume including appearances everywhere from the New York Times and the Tiny Desk to Bonnaroo and Cayamo. NPR said Anthony D’Amato “sings and writes in the tradition of Bruce Springsteen or Josh Ritter.” Pitchfork called Brian Dunne’s new album “wise and poetic,” declaring that “every song sounds like his life depends on it.” Paste proclaimed Don DiLego’s latest record a “stunner,” and Rolling Stone praised Mike Montali’s band, Hollis Brown, as “the soundtrack for a late-night drive through the American heartland.”
Together, they form a four-headed songwriting hydra, one with the lush harmonies of CSNY, the playful wit of The Traveling Wilburys, and the relentless interpersonal strife of the Eagles.
At Vinyl
Fantastic Cat | 04/22/2026 8:00 PM