ORIGINAL PUBLISH DATE: MARCH 29, 2024
How a Seattle supergroup found community, creativity, and mental health support through music.
Sometimes, a band comes along that feels like a breath of fresh air in a sometimes-crowded music landscape. Mega Cat—a Seattle-based collective of veteran musicians—manages to be exactly that, blending immersive jams with an ethos rooted in community and emotional well-being. During Treefort Music Festival 2024, Boise Hive had the pleasure of sitting down with the band to discuss how their project began, how music fosters mental health, and why Treefort has become a highlight in their calendar.
From Lockdown to Lifeline: Mega Cat’s Origin Story
Mega Cat’s formation was anything but ordinary. Just before the pandemic, several members had been gearing up for a “banger year” with other musical projects, only to watch their plans come to a standstill. Kim West (keys/vocals), Ryan Devlin (guitar/vocals), and Aaron Schroeder (drums/percussion) each felt a creative slump as lockdown hit.
“We had four tours on the book, a fifth on the way… 2020 was gonna be my year. And then the pandemic hit, and I got really sad.” – Kim West
Rather than channeling their energy into big studio projects right away, they started having weekly bonfires at Aaron’s home in Seattle. What began as a safe, socially distanced space to process the world’s upheaval soon turned into jam sessions in Aaron’s basement.
“I was still sort of just looking at my instrument every day like, ‘I’ll get back to you, but I’m not really there yet.’ … And when the weather turned, it was Aaron who said, ‘I’ve got this really cool drum sound. You guys wanna come into my basement studio? We’ll be safe. We’ll figure this out…’” – Kim West
For the band, those sessions were not about chasing perfection or planning a formal release—they were simply a creative lifeline in difficult times.
“I quit music. I couldn’t touch an instrument for months… These two coming over and the freedom and creativity that was there… it really honestly made me be like, ‘Okay, then I don’t need to necessarily have all of these big accolades. This is what it’s all about.’” – Aaron Schroeder
Music as Mental Health Support
Mega Cat shared how the Sunday Jam Sessions and the band became a vital outlet when they felt overwhelmed by the changes that came with the pandemic.
Self-Worth and the Music IndustryAaron described how his identity had been tied to playing in multiple bands and scoring big shows. With everything shut down, he confronted a major “existential crisis.” The spontaneous jams that blossomed into Mega Cat reminded him that music could exist purely for joy, rather than external achievement.
Community as LifebloodRyan pointed to the critical support that comes from a strong musical community—people who see and encourage one another to be “extra” on stage.
“The difference between a happy person and an unhappy person is often a community… We’ve got each other’s backs.” – Ryan Devlin
A Platform for HonestyBeing in a band, they explained, requires open dialogue about needs, stressors, and boundaries—an environment that can normalize deeper conversations around mental health.
“You’re fully integrating your life with someone else’s being in a project with them… The only way you figure that out is by talking about stuff, and being really honest about what you need.” – Kim West
The Creation of “Mega Cat”
How did they settle on such an objectively cool name? Initially, the group considered calling themselves “KRA” (an acronym from their initials), but after feedback from their friend and fellow musician, Peter Daniel, who plays saxophone, they knew they needed something more memorable.
“Peter Daniel… was like, ‘So what’s this band called?’ and I said, ‘We’re gonna call it KRA,’ and he goes, ‘Well, that’s a little forgettable.’” – Kim West
Since all members are self-professed “cat-obsessed adults,” they landed on “Mega Cat,” which perfectly captured their larger-than-life, cosmic energy.
“It’s something a little bigger than our constituent parts, you know, like we don’t know why the music turned out the way it did… it’s like a space cat beamed down into our space.” – Ryan Devlin
Embracing Chaos on Stage
Mega Cat’s music has a spontaneous, jam-based nature. On the record, drums, bass, and piano were laid down live—raw and imperfectly perfect. The band has since invited an impressive roster of guest musicians to round out their sound, including horn players who have toured with major acts like Lauryn Hill and Monophonics.
“We’re playing the songs as we wrote them, but then we are also allowing absolute freedom to every player to invite chaos. It’s kind of crazy, and I personally delight in that… it’s like walking a tightrope.” – Ryan Devlin
The result? A live show that feels both intimate and expansive, drawing the audience into the band’s creative process.
A Treefort Family Reunion
Though Mega Cat was making its Treefort Music Festival debut, members of the band had played the festival before with other projects, namely Smoky Brights. They described Treefort as a community-driven “family reunion,” where you can bump into old friends, discover new acts, and feel the genuine support of the Boise music scene.
“The absolute sincerity and engagement of the people of Boise… they very sincerely wanted to know everything about the band… and it was just like, ‘Yes!’ Boise is painfully nice, and I’m here for it.” – Kim West
Mega Cat performed multiple times at El Korah Shrine, brimming with excitement at the chance to debut their new music in a place they’ve grown to love.
“It’s become the family reunion for a lot of people… our friends from California and Oregon and Texas and Idaho and BC are all here. We get to share a hug and catch up.” – Ryan Devlin
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
With their record fresh off the press, Mega Cat is already working on new material—including a Beastie Boys “Sabotage” cover, encouraged by their label. Having started with zero expectations, they’re thrilled by how well the project has been received.
“We just made it for ourselves, we made it for music’s sake… I have had no expectations for it. So everything that happens, I’ve been able to just be like, ‘My mind is blown. I’m super present for it.’” – Kim West
They’re also eager to take the band on the road. To anyone feeling curious about Mega Cat, they invite you to stay tuned on social media (though they admit they use it with plenty of caution and boundaries!).
A Shout-Out to Boise Hive
Before wrapping up, Mega Cat expressed genuine gratitude for Boise Hive:
“We come from a DIY punk background, so we know how important these community spaces are. Boise Hive is just like that. It’s a safe, affordable place for people who need to rehearse or record… We love what you guys do.” – Ryan Devlin
In fact, Kim noted how a previous project recorded part of an album in one of Boise Hive’s practice rooms.
Mega Cat’s story reminds us that the most meaningful projects can be born from the simplest impulses—bonfires, basement jams, and a shared desire to survive tough times through music. They stand as living proof that community, open-hearted collaboration, and a willingness to “invite chaos” can yield artistic magic—and that creativity continues to be a powerful medium for nurturing mental health.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Seattle’s vibrant scene or hearing about Mega Cat for the first time, keep your eyes peeled. As they continue evolving—and expanding their cosmic feline universe—Mega Cat is poised to turn every venue they visit into a safe space for creativity, connection, and, yes, a touch of beautifully orchestrated chaos.
“Whatever happens from here is a plus. We’ve already succeeded by making something we’re proud of.” – Aaron Schroeder
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Special "Thank You" to Kendall Shew, owner of Shewtonio Productions, and Boise Hive Volunteer for conducting the interview.
Watch the full interview on our YouTube.