The Paper Kites to Headline Troubadour

Matt Matasci

Melbourne, Australia is quickly becoming a hotbed of young, talented indie and folk artists. Quintet The Paper Kites are one such band that is helping to put the city on the map. They released their second studio album “twelvefour” in August, garnering favorable press from some of their home country’s most reputable media outlets. Produced by indie legend Phil Ek (Built to Spill, The Shins), the 10-song LP has a distinctly cohesive sound without becoming overly repetitive. The Australian band brings their critically acclaimed live show as headliners at West Hollywood’s Troubadour.

Made up of five close high school friends, The Paper Kites are best known for their folk-influenced guitar pop sound. Adding to the gorgeous backing music are lead singer Sam Bentley’s vocals and Christina Lacy’s accompanying harmonies, giving the songs a saccharine-sweet boy/girl dynamic. Bentley has explained in interviews that the seemingly cryptic title of “twelvefour” is in fact a meaningful and direct reference. The two numbers designate the only hours of the day during which the album was written – midnight and 4 a.m. Finding creative fuel in those wee hours of the morning gives every one of the songs a distinct sense of coziness, like curling up in front of a crackling fire on a frigidly cold night. The guitars are hazy, warm and fuzzy; the male-female harmonies are catchy and breezy; the pacing is laid-back and comfortable.

Bentley and Lacy are joined by additional band members Dave Powys, Josh Bentley and Sam Rasmussen. The five musicians playing together give The Paper Kites a rich sound that is achieved through lush instrumentation and complementary backing vocals. Despite being an album with a specific motif, “twelvefour” is a diverse outing. Tracks like “Revelator Eyes” and “Electric Indigo” feature fast pacing and electric arrangements, while “Bleed Confusion” and “A Silent Cause” have more of a hushed acoustic sound. Take advantage of one of the few opportunities to see this overseas act perform in Los Angeles by heading to their show!

Get a taste of The Paper Kites‘ late-night sounds at The Troubadour on Nov 12 at 8 p.m. A limited number of tickets are available here.