A Cat Called Cricket

Sun Reporter

March 29, 2007

Hometown: Baltimore

Current members: Patricia Blanchard, cello, vocals; K.B. Blankson, bass, percussion and vocals; Alex Champagne, guitars, vocals and harmonica; Gena Smith, guitars, banjo and mandolin

Founded in: 2005

Style: indie pop folk

Influenced by: Led Zeppelin, Johann Sebastian Bach, Neutral Milk Hotel, Iron and Wine

Notable: "Here Comes Another Melody," the group's first full-length CD, is full of organic, acoustic sounds. Champagne was the principal songwriter and wrote some of the cello lines on his guitar. The album was released in February.

Quotable: "I like things to sound very natural," Champagne said. "A lot of the themes of our songs have to do with nature. I guess it's just how I grew up -- my family, we're always big campers. I like being outdoors."

The artist: acatcalledcricket.com

[Sam Sessa]

sam.sessa@baltsun.com