Occurrence’s Ken Urban & Cat Hollyer to play Rockwood Music Hall on Mar. 25

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Occurrence

There are a lot of interesting facts about the band known as Occurrence. One such thing is that the duo, Ken Urban and Cat Hollyer, live in different states and trade demos via Dropbox; Ken is in Manhattan while Cat is based in Kansas. Another factoid is that Ken is a prolific playwright, and his show Nibbler runs through Mar. 18 at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. Cat, meanwhile, writes for Hallmark and has done voices for their greeting cards.

In support of late 2016’s The Past Will Last Forever, Occurrence will re-group for a Manhattan gig at Rockwood Music Hall on Mar. 25. Downtown spoke with both Ken and Cat via e-mail, who offered grouped-together responses to the Q&A. Occurrence can be followed via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

How did you two first meet?

Occurrence: We met our freshman year in college in 1992. We lived in the same dorm. And we got close when we did a semester abroad in London our senior year. Ken heard Cat sing in a London club and 20 years later we are in a band together.

When it came time to choose your band name, was there any fear that a lot of people wouldn’t be able to spell it correctly with ease?

Occurrence: Ken takes full responsibility for the stupid name. But Cat doesn’t think it’s stupid because she is kind.

Where was the first live gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?

Occurrence: There’s only been one. Due to where we live — Cat lives in Lawrence, Kansas and Ken lives in New York City — we have mostly worked virtually. But after playing live at Rockwood last fall, we realized how much fun it is making music in the same room. So our new record, we will all be in the same room. Johnny is also joining the band as a second vocalist. And it’s all due to our first show.

Your latest album was mixed at the Magic Shop Recording Studio. Did you get to the visit the Magic Shop?

Occurrence: Ken was there for the whole mixing of the album. It was great to be there in a building where [David] Bowie was recording his last records. It’s so sad that it’s gone. RIP.

Rockwood gig aside, what is coming up for Occurrence?

Occurrence: We are writing and recording new songs in Washington Heights in Ken’s studio, a.k.a. the bedroom.

When not busy with Occurrence, how do you like to spend your free time?

Occurrence: Ken is a playwright and he has a show running in New York, plus new plays next season in Boston and D.C. He is not good at free time. Cat writes for Hallmark and does voiceovers. She has two lovely kids and spends a lot of time hanging out with them.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

Occurrence: Ken loves Bobo in the West Village when he’s feeling flush and/or wants amazing service. Cat loves going to the Indian Road Cafe in Inwood when she’s in town. In Lawrence, she loves 715.

Finally, any last words for the kids?

Occurrence: Here’s advice we wished we would’ve gotten when we were kids: Make a lot of crap until you make something great.