Yes, you read that right. Universal Music, one of the world's biggest record labels, is introducing an album of music created especially for cats that will feature, amongst other noises, the sounds of purring, chirping, and suckling kittens layered with more traditional classical music.
The album is the brainchild of scientist David Teie, who also happens to be a cellist with the National Symphony Orchestra. The five compositions, which feature combinations of classical music and cat-friendly noises, all aim to calm distressed kitties. Since cats establish their sense of sound and music via the noises they hear as kittens, it is hoped that the record will provide a balance of soothing tones for cats of any disposition.
Of the project, which has gained thousands of dollars' worth of support via a Kickstarter campaign and has independently sold 10,000 copies, David said: "I like the idea that critical taste applies to cats too. But I've been sent videos where cats nuzzle up to the speaker or even curl completely round it. Very excitable cats are completely calmed and formerly abused or feral cats tend to respond the best.
"We make the music available for free at shelters, where a lot of our testimonials come from. The time it normally takes to get a formerly feral cat ready to interact with humans is usually measured in days and weeks, but the music has helped them in just one day. It is communication in the cat's language, of acceptance and understanding and the comfort that goes along with that."
A representative for Universal Music, which has become the first major record label to release a title aimed at anything other than a human audience, said of the deal, "We're thrilled to be part of this world-first project and break into the massive untapped market of non-human music fans. The possibilities are endless for more species-specific 'Music For' albums: dogs and horses could all be on the cards." You heard it right here, folks!
Somewhat ironically, David Teie, who hopes that his album will appeal to both cats and their pet parents, is allergic to cats.
Photo ©iStock.com/rudolfoelias
