Catpack

Catpack is the new project consisting of the Los Angeles trio Amber Navran (of Moonchild), Jacob Mann and Phil Beaudreau. The brainchild of three creatives with distinct sounds and a deep admiration for one another, coming together to make something new and exciting, Catpack is the organic output of friendship and collaborative spirit. The project is playful, joyful and cat-themed, with a namesake taken from keyboards that sound like meows and an ingenious merch idea (search Google for catpacks). 

‘What I’ve Found’ is the group’s debut single and a song, both lyrically and musically, about being sick of holding back and not taking up too much space. Built from the Roland Juno synthesiser, ‘What I’ve Found’ is a creative symbiosis between three of the band members, who unapologetically all go full in, running with every idea that is thrown into the hat. The outcome is a complementary cohesion built on mutual respect and appreciation. Talking about the meaning of the new single, Amber explains:
“Sometimes, in the journey of finding your inner strength and knowing your worth, people close to you become uncomfortable with you taking up more space. They’re used to the small version of you, or their own self-worth is tied to their perceived position above you. This song is a middle finger to the people who can’t love you as you shine brighter and brighter and a love letter to the new, beautiful you”. 

Amber Narvan is an LA-based musician who sings, plays flute and produces in Catpack, and is 1/3 of the renowned neo-soul trio Moonchild. As a member of Moonchild, Navran has released five albums and received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album in 2023. The group has performed at major festivals worldwide, including Roots Picnic, Love Supreme, Cape Town Jazz Fest, Corona Sunsets Okinawa and Jakarta Jazz, and has sold out over 300 shows in 35 countries.

Navran is recognized for her distinctive, multilayered voice and her production and performance acumen, which she brings to Catpack. She has collaborated, produced and toured with esteemed artists such as Kamasi Washington, Stevie Wonder, The Internet, Jill Scott, Lalah Hathaway and Robert Glasper, and built up a host of iconic supporters along the way. As a solo artist and producer, she has two projects out and collaborates frequently with Rapsody, 9th Wonder, R+R=NOW, Mumu Fresh, Knower, Louis Cole, Jacob Mann Big Band, Chris Dave, Daniel Crawford, Raquel Rodriguez and more.

Jacob Mann is the keyboardist, clarinet player and producer in Catpack, with solo recordings under his own name and big band albums with the Jacob Mann Big Band (which also features Amber as a member). Jacob has released collaborative albums with jazz-funk bands such as Max Ox, Shrek IS Live and a duo album with bassist Sam Wilkes.

Phil Beaudreau plays trumpet, sings and produces in Catpack. Dr. Dre, Justin Bieber, Lalah Hathaway, The Game, and Travis Barker are just a few of the names the Los Angeles producer, writer and recording artist has worked with over the last several years. After garnering major label attention with his debut album, ‘Ether’, Beaudreau signed to Def Jam Universal as part of his duo group AOE. In 2020, Beaudreau received GRAMMY nominations for his work as executive producer on Black Violin’s newest album, ‘Take the Stairs’, and as producer on Justin Bieber’s latest studio album, ‘Changes’. In September of 2019, his song ‘Dreams’ (co-written with fellow Peer Publishing artist Andrew Simple) was featured in Dreamworks’ animated film, Abominable.

‘What I’ve Found’ is only just the beginning of the supergroup Catpack, and the purr-fect and paw-sitive launchpad for what is to follow. As Phil emotionally summarises the wholesomeness of the project: “I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more like myself than when I’m making music with Amber and Jacob. I remember the first song they sent me was like an invitation to just come out and play. Like my neighbourhood buddies. No judgement and no objectives other than to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. It’s an amazing feeling to work with people whose art you’re in awe of, but it’s something deeper when there’s space for friendship. That chemistry is a gift, and it makes the work so easy to do.”