Kite

For this Interview, BR's Nick questioned Niklas Stenemo of Kite.

Hello Kite. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. For those who don't really know you, you're best described as Catchy Electro-pop drawing from a wide range of influences. How would you best describe yourselves?
- "Well I would say that's a pretty fair description, I would add desperate, pretentious & filmish though."

It's funny, the first time I ever heard Kite was the song "Step Forward" from 'Kite IV'. I thought Nicklas' distinct vocal style had a slightly oriental feel to it, and the instrumentation on the track also sounds eastern. You since went on to play in China, and used the song as your promotional video. Have you managed to become successful in China?
- "Yes, that is pretty funny! When we were making the song we had no clue that we were going to be on a Chinese tour two month later! I wouldn't say we are successful, but we have for sure some followers over there, and it's pretty cool how people find the music they like now a days! It was a great experience playing for them!"

Each of your EP's has one track that I consider to be particularly anthemic, "Ways to Dance", "Cannonballs", "Jonny Boy", and "I Just Wanna Feel". These seem to be the more memorable tracks. What are your personal favourites to perform live?
- "Hmm?that really changes, we work pretty hard with the visuals such as lights and projections, and also to keep the music somehow new for the live shows. So it can change which song is most exiting live! Over all, If i must choose one I would say Jonny Boy. It's hard not being exited when you here the crowd scream that whistle intro."

I Understand that 'Kite V' will also be an EP. It seems that the two of you do not plan to release an LP. May I ask what the reason is for that?
- "That's actually pretty simple! The only important thing with this band is to keep the two of us inspired, everything else like succses and strategy is very secondary. And we feel that the ep is the perfect format for us to be able to keep it fresh, and not letting the songs get to old. When we're happy with about five songs, it feels really good to just erase our heads and move on."

I think it's safe to say that your experimentation with different styles is at an apex. 'Kite IV' toys with anthemic, cultural, unorthodox, and traditional. It even features the typical slower, ballad "Closing My Heart". Are you planning to move away from your roots?
- "No I don't think so, at least not very far. We are a duo, and we are electronic. We always try hard to find new feelings and vibes within that concept though. We find it nice to have limitations, in wich we can push it really far."

With Progress Productions, you're a part of the strongest roster I've ever seen for Electropop and EBM. You share a label with acts such as Necro Facility, Titans, Henric De La Cour, Covenant, and Spark! (among others). It's an impressive feat, but you manage to hold your own among them easily. Are there plans to work with your label mates in the future? A few split releases would be nice!
- "Well, we have played live with most of them, and I guess that's gonna happen again! We are not planing any collaborations right now."

When asked to recommend a Kite track to others, I usually suggest "Say It Aint So", my personal favourite at the moment. I find the vocal style and structures of the song to be the most traditional. 'Kite I' seemed to be the most accessible album for fans of Electro-Pop. Where are you looking to take your influences from for 'Kite V'?
- "To be honest I'm pretty new to the electronic and EBM music, so I'm not to shure how it traditionay really should sound like. I've never had a clue why some music suddendy blows my mind, it just sometimes does, no matter genre! And it's still that way. I'm just walking around, absorbing music of any kind ti'll I'm filled up and have to express myself. Oh my god, there you have it! I'm a pretentious s.o.a.b!"

The only Kite remix that has been released is Leaether Strip's remix of "Ways To Dance", released on the label compilation 'Born///Evolve///Progress///3'. I think that Kite would be a fascinating band for artists to remix. Can you discuss if there's a possibility of us hearing more remixes?
- "Well, there is no remixes planned at the moment, we'll se what comes up."

I guess the best way to end this interview from us is to ask you to talk about your upcoming release 'Kite V'. When is it out, what can we expect?
- "It's hard to promise a time for the releace, but let's hope it's this year. Right now we are wrighting and collecting song idéas individually, and we are gonna do that some more. But soon we're gonna met up and start producing! So at this point It's hard to say what to expect. The ambition is of course to do our best ep yet, and to be more unik than ever."

Finally, I'd like to thank Nicklas and Christian for agreeing to this interview. In typical Brutal Resonance style, the last question belongs to you. End this interview with a message to your audience.
- "Thank you Brutal Resonance! Listeners and readers?think big, be kind!"