The Paper Kites @ The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (01/11/2012)
Since beginning their national tour in early October, Indie-Folk band The Paper Kites flew home with their humble melodies and sweet, sweet banjos. Since releasing their debut EP Woodland in August last year, fans were more than eager to hear what new tunes the Melbournians had to offer.
First support act was five piece band Battleships. Their contagious riffs, solid drum beats and somewhat feminine vocalist Jordan Sturdee created an atmosphere that had gig goers dancing and knocking their beers together. The band’s captivating new single Your Words had most singing along, after the attention it has gained from gliding through Triple J’s radio waves.
Second band up for the night were electrified folk-errs The Art of Sleeping. As far as live performances go, these blokes were brilliant. The Brisbane boys played to a near full house at the Corner Hotel, meshing their bluesy guitar solos with sentimental piano pieces and husky vocals. Singer Caleb Hodges found himself so enthused by the last song, he snapped a guitar string!
The night was off to a flying start and patrons could be seen talking quietly amongst themselves in anticipation. The Paper Kites stepped on stage with a smile and a wave, slipping into their harmonic new single A Maker of My Time. A clear hit amongst fans, many of which could be seen singing each verse word for word.
After celebrating an abundance of success in 2011 with debut EP Woodland, the Melbourne band has since been touring Australia to promote their most recent EP Young North.
Having written most songs for The Paper Kites, singer Sam Bentley told stories of his inspiration to compose the humble melodies on Young North. Track five on the new EP, Paint, tells the story of a relationship ending due to location differences. Bentley requested silence from the audience as the band waltzed into their heartbreak tune and maintained the hush from an otherwise rowdy crowd.
At times the room’s atmosphere was quite unsettling as boozed-up patrons chose to speak loudly to their love interest instead of listening to what the indie-folk quintet had to offer. Still, singer and guitarist Christina Lacy kept smiling and swaying with the tunes, at times resembling the beautiful Julia Stone.
For this particular genre of music it is important to have a respectable, knowledgeable crowd. A crowd that doesn’t mind three to four slow songs in a row, attending purely because they have an appreciation for the band. On this night it seemed the crowd were up for a night of dancing. Still, massive respect to The Paper Kites for sticking by their set list and playing with pride. You go Glen Co Co.
In summary The Paper Kites are your quintessential example of a soft spoken, harmonious Australian band that should be heard. Bassist Sam Rasmussen and third guitarist Dave Powys strummed with intent the entire set, as drummer Josh Bentley tapped away in unison. This was excellent, however we did feel as though Lacy was somewhat absent for a large part of the gig. It was often difficult to hear her vocals alongside the boys of the band, as well as her occasional guitar strums.
As soon as we started fearing the worst however, Lacy stepped up to the microphone and led the band through a unique cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams. Her voice bellowed through the room and had the crowd alive with familiarity. We began to wonder why we had not heard this magnificence sooner! The value Lacy added to the gig’s finale really added the extra point needed to take us home. Here’s hoping we hear more of her voice in the future!
Kim Tedge
Follow me on Twitter - @Kimmers90
First support act was five piece band Battleships. Their contagious riffs, solid drum beats and somewhat feminine vocalist Jordan Sturdee created an atmosphere that had gig goers dancing and knocking their beers together. The band’s captivating new single Your Words had most singing along, after the attention it has gained from gliding through Triple J’s radio waves.
Second band up for the night were electrified folk-errs The Art of Sleeping. As far as live performances go, these blokes were brilliant. The Brisbane boys played to a near full house at the Corner Hotel, meshing their bluesy guitar solos with sentimental piano pieces and husky vocals. Singer Caleb Hodges found himself so enthused by the last song, he snapped a guitar string!
The night was off to a flying start and patrons could be seen talking quietly amongst themselves in anticipation. The Paper Kites stepped on stage with a smile and a wave, slipping into their harmonic new single A Maker of My Time. A clear hit amongst fans, many of which could be seen singing each verse word for word.
After celebrating an abundance of success in 2011 with debut EP Woodland, the Melbourne band has since been touring Australia to promote their most recent EP Young North.
Having written most songs for The Paper Kites, singer Sam Bentley told stories of his inspiration to compose the humble melodies on Young North. Track five on the new EP, Paint, tells the story of a relationship ending due to location differences. Bentley requested silence from the audience as the band waltzed into their heartbreak tune and maintained the hush from an otherwise rowdy crowd.
At times the room’s atmosphere was quite unsettling as boozed-up patrons chose to speak loudly to their love interest instead of listening to what the indie-folk quintet had to offer. Still, singer and guitarist Christina Lacy kept smiling and swaying with the tunes, at times resembling the beautiful Julia Stone.
For this particular genre of music it is important to have a respectable, knowledgeable crowd. A crowd that doesn’t mind three to four slow songs in a row, attending purely because they have an appreciation for the band. On this night it seemed the crowd were up for a night of dancing. Still, massive respect to The Paper Kites for sticking by their set list and playing with pride. You go Glen Co Co.
In summary The Paper Kites are your quintessential example of a soft spoken, harmonious Australian band that should be heard. Bassist Sam Rasmussen and third guitarist Dave Powys strummed with intent the entire set, as drummer Josh Bentley tapped away in unison. This was excellent, however we did feel as though Lacy was somewhat absent for a large part of the gig. It was often difficult to hear her vocals alongside the boys of the band, as well as her occasional guitar strums.
As soon as we started fearing the worst however, Lacy stepped up to the microphone and led the band through a unique cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams. Her voice bellowed through the room and had the crowd alive with familiarity. We began to wonder why we had not heard this magnificence sooner! The value Lacy added to the gig’s finale really added the extra point needed to take us home. Here’s hoping we hear more of her voice in the future!
Kim Tedge
Follow me on Twitter - @Kimmers90