“On The Corner Where You Live” – The Paper Kites

The Paper Kites may be one of the most prolific acts in the country. Mere months after the release of On the Train Ride Home, the Melbourne band have dropped a brand new album, On the Corner Where You Live. The band explains this is a sort of companion piece, yet both albums are so different. The first was more delicate and laidback folk, while this collection of midtempo indie-pop gems has a real fire in its belly.

It’s a concept album of sorts, conceived as a series of vignettes telling the stories of people living in a New York City apartment that faced the band’s hotel.

“You could see all these windows lighting up and people getting home from their nights out,” recounted Paper Kites frontman Sam Bentley. “We just sat there and watched them. It was fascinating. It was living art.”

It’s easy to forget the concept though and imagine the band is sharing its own stories, because they’re delivered with such sincerity. But every now and then there’s a track like “Midtown Waitress,” with lyrics addressing such specific circumstances, that reminds you of this album’s inspiration.

On the Corner Where You Live’s opening instrumental’s jazzy saxophone and piano recall film noir, but that gives way to a more ‘80s retro feel with “Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain.” It’s one of the album’s strongest tracks, a powerful track, full of emotion and yearning. It’s a natural predecessor to the single “Deeper Burn,” a song which is similarly passionate and longing.

Christina Lacy takes lead vocals on “Mess We Made,” making me wonder why she hasn’t grabbed the microphone sooner. Perhaps it’s only fitting here though, where we’re meant to hear songs from different perspectives. What a beautiful voice she has, with such nuance to it. The poignant song takes the album to a different place, reminding us of the real struggles of relationships.

“Flashes” is perhaps the closest to a song that could have appeared on On the Train Ride Home. It’s subtle, with little more than an acoustic guitar keeping time and gentle vocals. Sitting almost in the middle of the album, it gives us a moment to catch our breath, the calm eye of an emotional storm.

The back-end of On The Corner Where You Live is a little more subdued than the front. Perhaps we’re winding down after a wild night in the Big Apple. The title track feels like a retro classic, with its reassuring, romantic lyrics and hooks. I can just imagine cranking this one up and hitting the highway. “When It Hurts You” is another stellar song, a dreamy exploration of empathy during the hard times that contrasts so beautifully with the simple, stripped-back piano musings of “Does It Every Cross Your Mind.”

While I’d slip On the Train Ride Home on as background music, On the Corner Where You Live has the sort of songs that have me singing along, tapping my feet, bobbing my head, really engaging. It’s full of hooks and lyrics that cut to the heart. Its tracks might tell stories of other people, but I found a real connection in them.

On the Corner Where You Live is out now.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

The Paper Kites Release Beautiful Single Ahead of Brand New Album

twelvefour was one of my favourite albums of 2015. Frankly, I’ve been hanging out for a new album from The Paper Kites ever since its release. But my patience has finally been rewarded, with the Melbourne band dropping a gorgeous new single “Deeper Blue Burn.” There’s more where that came from too. “Deeper Blue Burn” comes from a brand new album On the Corner Where You Live, which drops on September 21.

After developing a massive fan base all over the world, it’s not surprising that they’re working with the best of the best now. The Paper Kites coproduced their new album with Peter Katis, a Grammy award-winning producer who’s worked with Interpol and The National. They spent five weeks living and recording at his Connecticut studio, a 120-year-old Victoria-era home. If the single is any indication, the results are something special. I can’t wait to hear more from this highly-anticipated release!

Image ued with permission from On the Map PR

The Paper Kites Touring Australia & North America

Local alt-folk act The Paper Kites have just released the final video in their “midnight” trilogy for the new single “Renegade.”

Again, the clip depicts the happenings of people between 12 and 4 am, a reference to the band’s stellar 2015 album TwelveFour. This time around it follows a group of kids who break into an aquatic cinema in the wee small hours of the morning.

To celebrate the conclusion of the midnight trilogy, The Paper Kites will play some intimate shows in capital cities across Australia. They’re in fine form after playing shows across Europe in January and February. After that it’s off to Canada and the United States for more shows. Whether you’re here or stateside, make sure you don’t miss one of these gigs.

23 June 2016 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
24 June 2016 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
25 June 2016 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (Under 18s permitted with parent/guardian)
1 July 2016 – Astor Theatre, Perth (Under 18s permitted with parent/guardian)
2 July 2016 – Norwood Town Hall, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
9 & 10 July 2016 – Winnipeg Folk Festival, Winnipeg
11 July 2016 – Triple Rock, Minneapolis
12 July 2016 – Shank Hall, Milwaukee
13 July 2016 – The Shelter, Detroit
14 July 2016 – Rum Runners, London
16 July 2016 – Ottawa Blues, Ottawa
17 July 2016 – Parc de la Francophonie @ Festival D’ete, Quebec City
19 July 2016 – Showcase Room @ Higher Ground, Burlington
20 July 2016 – The Studio at Waiting Room, Buffalo
21 July 2016 – Club Café, Pittsburgh
22 July 2016 –  Bogart’s, Cincinnati
23 July 2016 – Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland
24 July 2016 – Wayhome Music Festival, Oro-Medonte
27 July 2016 –  StageOne, Fairfield
28 July 2016 – Cape Cinema, Dennis
29 July 2016 – Port City Musical Hall, Portland
31 July 2016 – Osheaga, Montreal

“twelvefour” – The Paper Kites

I’ve always enjoyed the singles I’ve heard from The Paper Kites, but it wasn’t until I received a stream of their new album twelvefour that I actually delved into one of their complete works. I’m so glad that I did.

The new album opens with “Electric Indigo,” easing us in to the recording with some familiarity. It was great to hear the single again, as it helped heighten my anticipation for what would come next.
What comes next is beautiful song after beautiful song. They’re so well crafted, with lush instrumentation and really superb lyrics.

I was particularly drawn to “Bleed Confusion,” a dreamy number about finding your place in a relationship. “Revelator Eyes” sounds like it’d make the perfect driving soundtrack, with its relentless beat and easy vocals. “Neon Crimson” is delicate and mesmerising for its minimalism. “Silent Cause” is another minimalist number, with little more than the strumming of an acoustic guitar and pretty harmonising vocals. Generally The Paper Kites have gone for songs with a slightly bigger sound this time around, which only makes the smaller numbers that much more engaging to me. “Too Late” is such a poignant, haunting end to this really special album.

Twelvefour is one of those albums you could put on at the end of a dinner party when you’re all sitting around drinking wine, wanting music that won’t interrupt the flow of conversation. It’s mellow and low-key, so you could put it in the background if you wanted to. But its songs deserve more than that. I put it on to work but found myself getting drawn out of what I was doing to listen to the lyrics. They’re superb. The album stream saw me chained to my desk, but I’d really love to put it on in the car where I could give it even more attention. I enjoy this album now, but something tells me I’m going to love it even more with every listen.

Twelvefour hits stores on August 28.

The Paper Kites Debut Big New Sound with “Electric Indigo”

The Paper Kites have really impressed me with every one of their singles, so it surprises me to realise I’ve never actually written about them here. The release of their new single “Electric Indigo” and their upcoming Aussie tour is the perfect time to change all that.

There’s such a surety about everything this Melbourne quintet releases, and that makes their music feel comfortable from the first listen. This song is instantly accessible but complex, with lush instrumentation and gorgeous vocals. “Electric Indigo” sounds a bit bigger than their previous releases, but it ticks all the boxes for me.

It’s the first track lifted from The Paper Kites’ forthcoming album twelvefour, which hits stores on August 28. Following that, the band will hit the road and play the following shows all around the country. Don’t wait until then to get your tickets. I predict they’re going to sell quickly.

15 October 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
16 October 2015 – Amplifier, Perth
17 October 2015 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
22 October 2015 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (ALL AGES)
23 October 2015 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
24 October 2015 – The Workers Club, Geelong
29 October 2015 – Solbar, Maroochydore
30 October 2015 – The Soundlounge, Gold Coast
31 October 2015 – Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
5 November 2015 – Lizotte’s, Lambton (ALL AGES)
6 November 2015 – The Metro, Sydney (ALL AGES)
7 November 2015 – ANU Bar, Canberra
8 November 2015 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul (ALL AGES)