Ky Williams was just any other Walmart shopper until he spotted Fran Garcia in a “Protest the Hero” shirt, and their lives changed forever. They quickly started playing music together and haven’t put their guitars down since.  Music alumnus Eric Stewart  joined the two as a bass player and their band Catbamboo was born. Since then, they have played at venues like Varsity Theatre, Spanish Moon, MidCity Ballroom and House of Blues in New Orleans.
Catbamboo has an exciting few months ahead of it. The band will be performing at Varsity Theatre on Jan. 26, along with the release of their new extended play, which is expected to be out in late May 2018. 
“It started as a joke, but when I heard other people say it, it sounded really cool,” Garcia said when explaining how they became “Catbamboo.” The band wanted a memorable, different name that would stick.  Luckily, it only took them moments to find it.  At a party around a year ago, a friend asked what their band’s name would be, Garcia jokingly said, “Catbamboo,” and what was supposed to be a laugh turned into a successful band name.
Catbamboo’s naming philosophy crosses over with its song names as well. They feel it’s important to go with the flow when it comes to the artistic process, Williams said.  
“Whatever sounds like a cool name for a song is what we end up naming that song,” he said. “For example, I wrote the song ‘In the Wind’ while I was in the wind. The song “Hills and Valleys” was made while I was in Mississippi, and it was hilly so it just made sense.” 
Catbamboo’s music ranges from math rock to progressive rock. The band’s favorite song to perform together is an acoustic called “Snickle Fritz,” which has a slow, complex and sophisticated sound. The song really comes alive when it is paired with musician Michael Moody’s voice from San Marcos. The song has enough elements in it to stand alone, which makes it even more powerful.
“It feels so natural to perform with these guys,”  Williams said. 
From Dec. 12 to 18, Catbamboo toured major Texas cities including Houston, Austin and San Antonio, but they are still a local band at heart. The band’s favorite places to perform include the Varsity Theatre and MidCity Ballroom. The energy of the room is very important to the band. If the room is well lit and has a fun, energetic crowd, the better the performance is for them.  
“I’m lucky to get to do what I love with these guys,” Williams said.