faux fur reversible long dress. PH5
earrings. Alexis Bittar
rings. AGMES NYC
opposite
trench coat, shirt + pumps. Michael Kors
earrings. AGMES
knee highs. K8 Hardy
Cat Cohen is having a pretty big year for herself. She’s made appearances in Girls5eva and Only Murders in the Building, dropped a new comedy special on Veeps, Come For Me, and now she’s releasing her debut album, OVERDRESSED. It won’t be long before Cat Cohen is a household name — or at least the name you curse as you suffer from the chronic inability to get “BLAME IT ON THE MOON” out of your head. Comedy might not be universal, but listening to this album and having the bridges and choruses of the music play on endless repeat in your head, decidedly is.
After releasing her first standup special on Netflix in 2022, it’s been a few years since we got fresh material. With both Come For Me, and OVERDRESSED, Cat proves that good things take time and these projects were both more than worth the wait. The record is extra special though. In the comedy burlesque style that she’s become known for, Cat sings about things like the desire to be a plus-one at office holiday parties, liking when men take their belts off before bed (among a lengthy list of other things including, but not limited to, using tote bags, opening jars, and messing up fitted sheets), and the life-changing powers of buying a new journal. All sung over the most impeccably produced, ear-worm pop songs you’ve heard in a while. It’s a comedy album, sure, but it’s also a record that’s as easy and enjoyable to listen to as it is to laugh at.
Right now, we’re living in a time where opening up Instagram or scrolling through X can feel daunting. There’s so much bad news in the world, it’s easy to feel suffocated by it. Cat Cohen’s work is a breath of fresh air for these troubled times. Thank god for astrology, and Cat’’s comedy – the world would be a darker place without it.
jacket + skirt. Melitta Baumeister
shoes. Maguire
hat. Avalon Hester
rings. AGMES
I’m so excited to be doing this and to meet you. I’ve been loving your comedy for years.
Oh my god! Thank you!
Actually, I discovered you because of Haley Nahman’s writing. And I fell in love and I never looked back.
Oh, she’s my favourite. I love Haley so much.
Anyway, let’s splash right into this!
Let’s do it.
This has been a really big couple of weeks. Well, really, past few months for you. You’re on Only Murders. You just dropped your new special, Come For Me, on Veeps, and now there’s this new album, OVERDRESSED, coming out. I know in your special, you said you don’t have imposter syndrome, but could you tell me a little bit about how it feels to be reaching so many career milestones?
Yeah, it’s funny. I think, “yeah, of course, I should have an album, of course I should have a special.” But I do feel imposter-y, when you say, “career milestones.” I’m thinking, “Uhh where? I’m still waiting. I’m still waiting for my big moment.” [Laughs]. No, I feel it, but I just feel so amazing to put out work that I’ve been working on for many years at this point. The songs on the album and the material and the special, that started a while ago. I mean, even in 2020 I was working on some of those things, so it just feels amazing and very cathartic and kind of emotional to know that those things are out in the world, and now I’m starting a new chapter.
Yeah. Are you excited about the next chapter? Are you feeling ready for it?
Yes, very ready because I toured this show for on and off for two years. But I’m also scared because you always want to outdo yourself. There’s some pressure. But, at least now I’m thinking, “Okay, I’ve done it. I’ve done it before. I’ve started fresh. I can do it again.”
I know with musicians who are coming back with second albums after their first one went so well there’s a need to prove yourself. That it wasn’t just luck. With these specials you’ve kind of proved yourself with this one. Maybe heading into a third one that could be easier?
I agree. There’s no phrase like “sophomore slump” for the third one, right [laughs]?
Well, I love both the record and the special. The album has some familiar songs from the specials and several new ones. All of them sounded so good. How did you go about choosing the songs that went on the album?
Well, you know, I met this amazing woman, Katarina, who worked at Elektra Records, and she said, “A good entry point would be a holiday album.” So I kind of went through and looked through my phone, and said, “Okay, which of these have a holiday or seasonal slant?” Then I picked my favourites and went from there. But I knew I wanted it to be super poppy. I was introduced to this amazing producer Couros, in London, and he’s the one who just made my wildest dreams come true. I mean, he’s a total genius, and he really elevated and made my wildest dreams come true.
What was it like working with a producer on this?
Truly heaven. I like bringing the joke and the melody and the fun, but to have someone who just understands music and production so technically was amazing. I felt so supported and inspired by his skill set. Like, it’s always amazing to work with someone who has a really good sense of humour and we’re making people laugh, but we’re bringing different things to the table.
Yeah, absolutely, were there any moments in the recording process that kind of surprised you?
Umm, no. Not really. I’ve always dreamt of doing this, and when I was in the studio, not to be dramatic, but I was like, “Oh, this is what I was born to do.” [Both laugh] More so than the jokes and stuff, like writing songs is my favourite thing.
So when it comes to writing these songs, where are you getting your musical inspirations from?
It’s definitely been a lot of early 2000s pop. A lot of early Spice Girls and 90s pop.
I was going to say “I Just Bought a Journal”, which is my favourite one on there – because I’m in the middle of doing The Artist’s Way right now.
Oh! Yes! [Laughs].
It made me laugh out loud when I was listening to it at the grocery store.
That’s probably my favourite too. Secretly.
Oh my god, so good. Called me out so hard. It reminded me almost of a Hillary Duff song, which actually could not be a higher compliment I feel.
I agree, and actually, that was one that we really wrote in the room. And I’m trying to remember what we were going for, but I think afterwards, someone was like, “Oh, it sounds like ‘Perfect Day,’ like the Legally Blonde intro song.”
Yes!
And I was like, that’s exactly the vibe. Kind of like a Sheryl Crow-y, Hillary Duff moment.
top. Sandy Liang
dress (worn as a skirt). Madeline Marie
flat shoes. Camper
earrings. AGMES
bangles. Alexis Bittar
leg warmers. Noah Kantrowitz Studio
opposite
knit dress. ECKHAUS LATTA
accessories. AGMES NYC
As I was listening, I could picture your facial expressions, but I imagine performing live is very different from performing in front of producers and mixers in a recording booth. What was that like for you? How was it different?
I would say the main difference is I was standing still, I was wearing an ugly outfit [laughs].
Otherwise, it was still pretty much the same?
I think so. It is different because you’re focusing more on the sound we’re going for, as opposed to the laugh, which was a nice change of pace. Especially in the bridge of “can u send me that that?” and that Madonna-y “Vogue” section, we were really getting into character for that. I was like [in a deep Madonna-like voice] “The year was 2011,” I was like how deep and fun can I go with this?
It was so camp and so good. I had so much fun listening to it in a way that I hadn’t really experienced when I listened to other comedy albums before.
Oh my god, thank you. That’s cool.
You also play the guitar in Come For Me on your special. Did you play any instruments on this record?
No [laughs]. The guitar came out of pandemic necessity because I was by myself, without any musicians and that’s the only thing I can sort of play. I wrote a couple songs on the guitar for the special. It was interesting touring with the guitar too. I didn’t like doing that as much as I felt less free to express myself. I’m glad I did it. It was a cool exercise. Now I’m like, “Okay, I don’t want to do that.”
I think it shows your chops a little bit more.
It’s cool. Yeah, I wanted this one to be a full band. So, I needed to get in there with a guitar. It’s not really my passion. The only live instrument on the album is on “Time of Year.” My friend Fraser Hadfield played piano live in London in a beautiful studio where I’ve been told that Adele records.
Only the best vocalists record there.
So, we snuck in on a Sunday morning and recorded it really quickly. But otherwise, it was all production and technical stuff that I don’t fully understand, to be honest with you. I’m trying to learn because it’s so cool But that’s where Corous’ talent came in.
So how do you decide when you’re writing your material, what you think could be a better song, versus spoken stand-up material?
Oh! I think it’s something that lends itself to a chorus, or a universal idea, as opposed to something hyper-specific. That’s usually what I go for with the chorus, like blaming your problems on astrology or wanting a picture at a party. These are relatable things and then getting more specific in the verses.
coat. ITA The Label
catsuit. Norma Kamali
earrings + ring. Alexis Bittar
opposite
dress. Ulla Johnson
earrings + bracelet. Alexis Bittar
That makes sense. Is there ever anything that you start out working on as a song, and then you’re like, oh, this actually doesn’t work. I’d rather have it as a bit in my performance, or vice versa?
One hundred percent. I tried to write this song years ago called “I’m sorry I brought pepperoni to your dinner party.” I have no idea why I thought that was funny or interesting. I remember laughing and thinking, “This is not a bit.” For a while working on a song called, “I need a friend who is a doctor”, and that didn’t really work either for some reason. I mean, who knows down the line, but plenty of times I’m trying to build out a song and it’s just one sentence that made me chuckle once and I realize it doesn’t work.
Yeah. Things that just don’t have enough legs. That’s interesting. I’ve also read that you’re manifesting a huge role in a sitcom for next year for yourself, what do you think your dream sitcom role would look like?
Oh my gosh, I’m not sure! Just something funny, but lovable and grounded.
Funny. Lovable. Grounded. So, like, New Girl vibes? Or more grounded than that?
That would be amazing. I would also be open to an HBO show, something with a little more prestige. I’m open to whatever is the best fit creatively.
Well, those are all of my questions. Was there anything else that you felt like you wanted to go in a little bit deeper on?
No. I’m just so glad you liked the album because I had the best time making it. And it was cool that you’re a fan of Haley, my girl!
Oh my gosh. Love her so much.
She really inspires me. I think it’s easy to get caught up in what the response is going to be when releasing stuff. I feel like she’s a friend who really grounds me and reminds me to focus on what I want to share in the material. I feel lucky to have people like that in my life. The whole point is that I’m proud of the work and then how it’s received kind of has nothing to do with me. Now I just need to look at making the next thing because that’s what makes me happy.
dress. Madeline Marie
opposite
denim jacket, skirt + jeans. Sea New York
pumps. Larroude
earrings. Alexis Bittar
Obviously, your work is important, and you have to receive some level of critical acclaim, but you also have to keep looking forward and keep moving, because you can’t keep recycling the same old tired material. How do you navigate finding that balance?
Yeah, it’s hard. I think I don’t know. Honestly, I was telling someone this last night. I was just at this 24-hour Play Festival, and we’re talking about pre-show rituals. Anytime I go on stage I’m like, oh, please let me have fun up there. Send a message to the universe. I just want to have fun. So as long as I’m having fun, I’m not too stressed about the other things. I think, when shows start to feel tired and not fun anymore, maybe it’s time to write something new.
Yeah, it’s just like, I guess listening to your gut.
This whole thing is about the gut [laughs]. You have this crazy gut belief that you’re doing the right thing and you’re in the right place.
Okay, well what if you’re neurotic like me, and listening to your gut also feels like you’re listening to your worst enemy? [Both laugh]
Well, I don’t think that’s the gut. I think that’s your head, because I had the same thing I have crazy, what’s the phrase? It’s not spinning thoughts…
Racing thoughts?
No, it’ll come to me. Anyways, I feel like that’s not the gut, that’s the head. That’s anxiety, and the gut is something deeper. A calm knowing. Knowing that where you are is where you’re meant to be. It’s hard to hear it sometimes.
It’s really hard to hear. Or to accept that that must be true.
Yeah, 100%. I struggled in the same way.
What do you have a good gut feeling about as you look ahead? What are you excited about in the next few weeks?
I’m so excited for the songs to come out. I’m excited to go to LA for a bit and record some podcast episodes with Pat. I have a show this weekend, and I haven’t done stand-up in like a month so that’ll be fun. Don’t know what I’m gonna say, so that’s cool. I just also love this time, the weather is changing and I’m excited to wear a good outfit.
Yeah! Like a huge scarf.
Yeah, it’s the best. All the holiday in New York stuff is just the best.
dress. Batsheva
dress worn underneath. Madeline Marie
OVERDRESSED is out now.
photography. Niko Margaros
fashion. Suthee Ritthaworn
talent. Cat Cohen
hair. Erin Piper Herschleb @ L’Atelier NYC using Living Proof
make up. Charlotte Bourgeois @ Art Department using Mac Cosmetics + Chanel
beauty manicurist. Jazz Styles @ See Management using Essie
set design. Bethany Yeap
creative production. Clara La Rosa
photography assistants. Karen Goss + Keegan Keith
fashion assistants. Jaden James + Morokot Pisey
location. Vandervoort Studio
interview. Kendall Saretsky
