The Kite Machine

2015 has been a big year for The Kite Machine, which has seen them release their highly anticipated second EP Lunatics to critical acclaim from media and fans alike. Following on from their debut effort The Crook and the Skank, Lunatics sees the band evolving into a different direction. They may have spent a couple of months away from the public eye, but as Forte sits down to chat to front man Levi Anderson, I get the good news that new music is on the way.
It’s exciting that the band has released a new EP, however sad news came a few months back when bass player and founding member Evan Smith decided to step back from the band to focus on further study.
“Ev wanted to go back and study Medical Anthropology and do his PhD. It came at a point where we were planning to go out on tour and do things and with that work load, it seemed that now was the right time for him to jump off the boat,” he says.
“It’s pretty sad to see him go, but I wish him well with what he’s going on with. It’s different when we jam now, cause The Kite Machine in the studio is currently a two piece, kinda like an Australian Black Keys, I guess you could say.”
At the moment with help from producer Lee Bradshaw, The Kite Machine is busy working away on new material. Although there is nothing set in concrete at the moment, Anderson told me that you are likely to hear some new singles from the band by the end of the year and into 2016. Whether these tracks will form the basis for an album or another EP is still unknown, however I am assured that the tunes are sounding as fresh and funky as ever.
In addition to releasing a new EP and Smith leaving, the band are also working with 123 Agency and have five or six big shows lined up for the rest of the year. Being able to get out on stage and flaunt this new material to the fans is something that Anderson is really looking forward to. One of the upcoming shows includes a spot at the Birregurra Music and Arts festival on October 10 and 11.
“We’re really looking forward to being able to get up at Birre and play a few new tracks. That is the first show back in the Geelong region since Ev’s left. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s going to be weird but it will always be pretty fun and we are excited to be playing again. We are playing the day after in Torquay at the Bell Street festival, so it’s going to be a big weekend,” he says.
Known for their highly energetic stage show, The Kite Machine are sure to bring the party to the Birregurra festival. Although Smith has left the band to pursue other pastimes, stand in bass players will join Anderson and Sheriff in all of the live shows for the rest of 2015.
“It’s cool to be able to work as a duo at the moment, it’s different to the capacities that we have played in previously, but it’s cool to mix things up for a bit. We might return to being a trio in the future, I don’t know. I hope everyone comes out to Birre and sees what we’ve been working hard for the past few months on. It’s gonna be rad party times!”
Written by Tex Miller
When & Where: Birregurra Festival and Art Show, Birregurra – October 10 & 11