Stereoboard Speaks To Emerging New Brighton Band Red Kyte (Interview)
Wednesday, 03 August 2011
Written by James Ball
Red Kyte have only been around for a short time, but have already been caught making waves in the local music scene, especially in their home town of Brighton where they won a competition, based largely on popularity, to support Futures, a band who have headlined festival stages, and sold out countless gigs in their two years of existence too. They’ve even got a legend of the music industry personally give them a shout-out. So, with a new (as yet untitled) EP out this autumn, we found a break in their busy schedule to have a quick chat with Rob (vocals), Jonny (guitar), Matt (guitar), Ali (bass) and James (drums).
So then, how did Red Kyte come into being? How did you all get together?
Jonny: We all met at a music college in Brighton apart from Matt who was a friend of Mine (Jonny). Rob and I formed the band after chatting and had many similar influences and interests.
James: Jonny and Rob held auditions for the band and I got the job! They told me straight away and I ended up playing drums for Ali's audition as well! We then played a few gigs with other guitarists before getting Matt involved.
Which musicians or bands inspire you to make the music you do?
Jonny: Each member has a different influence that they bring to the table. I love Post Rock- stuff like Explosions in the Sky and This Will Destroy You, Rob loves Pop-punk and used to be in a metal band,
our rhythm section love hip-hop and soul. Matt just loves pop!
James: I grew up listening to bands like The Offspring. I’m really into most genres of music! Anything with a groove! I love Lupe Fiasco, John Mayer and The National.
Rob: Personally, my biggest influence musically would be 'Brand New', those guys know what they're doing. We try and take influence from our experiences and put it into our music.
Red Kyte have only been around for a short while. What do you think is your biggest achievement so far?
Rob: We've been lucky to get some good support slots so far and it was awesome getting a shout out from Tom DeLonge. I would say those are the two that really stand out.
James: Personally for me was the Futures support slot. The response we got on Facebook when Futures asked for a band to support them in Brighton was amazing! We didn't even know it had happened, it was so unexpected! The gig was good as well, we were first on, it was packed and the crowd were awesome.
Ali: We managed to gat Matt into a club for free cos we said he was in Red Kyte. Or that time when James managed to fit 15 bourbon creams in his mouth. That was pretty special.
You've bagged a few decent support slots, most notably your spring show with Futures. Who would you most love to do a show with?
Jonny: I’d love to play with U2 or Foo Fighters, someone huge like that, mainly just to meet them!
Rob: I would love to support Manchester Orchestra one day.
James: Circa Survive, just for the free ticket.
Ali: I'd love to do a show with any of the following: Radiohead, The Roots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mars Volta. There are loads more but I can't quite think of them at the moment...
Matt: I really want to support The Killers.
Sharks was your first major foray into releasing something, as well as shooting a music video. What was that like?
Rob: Cold! Haha We shot the video in late December in Southport. It was great to work with Sitcom Soldiers, and we were really happy with the way it turned out.
Jonny: A pretty surreal experience! The video shoot was strange and felt like a dream, we had hardly had any sleep and we were playing on a beach in the middle of nowhere in the freezing cold to a couple of dog-walkers! But it’s amazing to see the impact that the song has had, when we play it at gigs something quite special happens and I’m still not used to hearing 100 people sing a song I wrote in my bedroom!
Matt: Well, I've still got sand in my jeans.
Why did you choose Sharks for making a video?
Rob: Sharks really stood out in our set and we thought it would really show people what Red Kyte were about.
James: We just felt it was our strongest song!
Ali: Its f**king EPIC! It is a real stand out track for us and the audience's at shows really latch onto the song and love singing it, so it seemed like a natural choice.
Any other releases coming up we should look out for?
Rob: Yes, we’ve just wrapped up in the studio to record our E.P, which we're looking to release around October time. We did a studio diary keeping everyone up to date too.
So, band stuff. Who's the class joker?
Jonny: We all have a great sense of humour but the one who makes us laugh the most is definitely Matt! Just looking at his face cracks me up. His finest moments include Russian voices, always playing an air-instrument and he thinks that he’s the biggest rock star in the
world!
Rob: It would have to be Matt haha
James: Matt, he loves the cider.
Ali: Matt Bray.
Matt: Me.
Any stories from the studio you want to share with us?
Jonny: I love being in the studio, such a great time for us to hang out as a band and make records that we are really proud of. However it does lend itself to an infinite amount of banter.
Rob: Sharing sleeping space with Matt was always interesting. Especially after a few kopparberg's.
James: Ali made love to an ice cream, Rob got trapped in the sound desk and Matt turned Russian for the week.
Ali: Hmmm. Probably nothing you'll be able to print... Generally speaking you have the makings of a good story when you unite Matt Bray and a few bottles of cider... I don't think i need to say any more, your imagination can do the rest!
You've played in Brighton and around Oxford quite a lot. Where's next?
Jonny: We’d love to book a UK tour and play everywhere!!
James: We will be touring once the EP is finished. I can't wait to get on the road. I would love to play some festivals new year.
Ali: Well we will be touring in support of the record when it is released, so we'll be all over the place! Keep checking Facebook to see when we'll be playing a venue near you.
What's your favourite aspect of playing live?
Rob: Going to new places and finding new audiences to play to. We like to encourage the crowd to really get involved and sing along with us.
James: Everything! Hearing the crowd sing your songs back to you is pretty awesome.
Ali: I love sharing our music with everyone who comes to our shows. We've been lucky enough to play to crowds who are up for joining in and singing along. Hearing people sing your songs to you is a really nice feeling. Also, as the bass player there are points where I can sort of step back and hear the awesomeness of Rob, Matt and Jonny busting out their harmonies. That always makes me smile.
How would you describe your music to anyone who hasn't heard of you?
Jonny: Epic POP
Rob: I would like to think our music is energetic and catchy, we want people to really get stuck at with our live shows.
James: Delay pedals, big cymbals and harmonies.
Ali: Relentless grooves, ambient soundscapes and pop hooks, all topped off by Jonny's beard. I know you can't hear his beard, but its an important part of what makes Red Kyte what it is.
And what's the big dream? What's the final goal behind the band?
James: To be able to make a living doing something I love. I would love to do month-long tours of the world, visiting loads of countries I would otherwise never get to see.
Ali: For me the dream is to be able to make a living doing something I love, with people I love. My goal being to share our music with as many people as possible.
If you could have written one song, what would it have been?
Rob: Africa by Toto, hands down.
James: Off the top of my head... Blindsided - Bon Iver
Ali: Probably Cissy Strut by the Meters. The groove is too good.
Finally, I ask everyone this question as a bit of a curveball: Imagine there's a cocktail called the "Red Kyte". What's in it?
Rob: Rum, fruity cider and some hard ass whisky hahaha not really...... tap water maybe.
James: Caramel latte, lager and orange chocolate digestives, over ice.
Ali: Probably something a bit like a Long Island Iced Tea. Quite a few ingredients coming together to make a tasty treat.
Thanks a lot guys. Keep your eyes peeled for the new EP out this Autumn. In the meantime, below is their debut single 'Sharks'.
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