Kite Flying Robot

Artist Information

Biography

Kite Flying Robot won the Oklahoma Gazette's Woody Award 2011 for Best Electronic Act, has worked with such industry professionals as Michael Trepagnier (Coldplay, Brazilian Girls), Don Grossinger (Brian Wilson, the Flaming Lips, Madonna), Chris Fudurich (Finch, Jimmy Eat World, Britney Spears), performed SXSW 2011 showcases including the famous Friends' Bar on 6th St, and has shared the stage with bands like Octopus Project, Future Islands, Nico Vega, Colourmusic, Ringo Deathstarr, Little Teeth, and Prince Rama, among many others.

Kite Flying Robot's origins began in 2005 as a one man electronic experiment of Nikolas Thompson, an art project documenting everything from his homeless exploits as a squatter in San Francisco, to international vagabonding, to the loves lost and won between adventures. Having relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, KFR's ambitious orchestrations can finally be realized by five multi-instrumentalists who switch places between songs. Guitar, violin, aggressive synth bass, and heavy drum fills clammer over delicately programmed electronics to form songs that range from sinister disco bangers to melancholy pop anthems.
Kite Flying Robot’s hooks feel vintage and strangely familiar, yet fresh, sometimes sounding like Danny Elfman trying his hand at Italo disco, other times like Ziggy-era David Bowie traveling to the year 2050 to start an 80's tribute band. -LackPro

Dec 10, 2010 saw the release of the full-length “Solid Gold.” Engineered by Michael Trepagnier, formerly of Philip Glass’ NYC studios (Brazilian Girls, Robyn Hitchcock, Coldplay), "Solid Gold" serves as a calling card for the future of pop, delicately produced yet feeling home-brewed and impulsive. It's this kind of contradiction that provides pop for people who hate pop and brooding orchestrations for those who usually prefer a light up dance-floor. "This music is some pretty well-played escapism." -Tulsa Musician's Network

MUSIC VIDEO "RED PHONE BOOTH"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YcsQ7PTcnI
MUSIC VIDEO "HALLOWEEN"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLti2BkouW8
LIVE VIDEO "SOLID GOLD"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHQWNcKDf0M
LIVE VIDEO "SONG FOR DANDIES"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6UgXIxx3ws

Instrumentation

Tanya Felter - Vocals, Viola
Nikolas Thompson - Vocals, Guitar, keys
Alex Larrea - Guitar
Christi Wans - Trumpet, glockenspiel
Todd Plunkett - Drums

Discography

"Solid Gold" LP (released Dec 2010)
"Tallyho! Let's Go!" 7 song EP (2009)
"Fossils & Artifacts" EP (2008)
Songs from "Solid Gold" have received airplay and charted on countless independent radio stations in the US and XFM in London, including charting at #1 in Charlotte NC.

Official Website

http://www.kiteflyingrobot.com

Links

• Last.fm
• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Bandcamp Releases
• Additional Official Webpage, Lack Productions

Audio

• Red Phone Booth
  Listen  
• Solid Gold
  Listen  
• Blonde Bomb
  Listen  
• Color TV
  Listen  
• Song for Dandies
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Kite Flying Robot - Here's to cool. [+ Show ]
  

  For an album that boasts 13 different instruments, eight vocalists and a bling-tastic title, I expec...For an album that boasts 13 different instruments, eight vocalists and a bling-tastic title, I expected the Oklahoma City-based Kite Flying Robot’s debut to be a giddy, stuffed-to-the-hilt affair.
  
  Surprisingly, it’s marked not by excess, but by tasteful arrangements that result in strong pop songs.
  
  Anchored by mild-mannered electronic beats (think The Postal Service) and Nikolas Thompson’s calm, seductive voice, the songs reveal various parts and melodies at a leisurely pace. These unhurried tracks are long on a slinky, sunglasses-atnight-cool mood, and short on riffs or explosions of adrenaline.
  
  The restraint is what sets the album aside from other pop efforts; KFR always leaves the listener wanting more. From the charming piano of “Airplane Nosebleed” to the hip-hop blast of “28-16-15-7” to the clapping and group sing-along on “Song for the Dandies,” the act creates a mood, sets melodies and then sticks flourishes on without maxing out. I suppose that’s what the live show is for.
  
  Whatever the band’s intentions, “Solid Gold” throws down some excellent tunes. Here’s to cool.
  
  "Solid Gold" is available at both Guestroom Records locations, Bandcamp, iTunes and shows. —Stephen Carradini
  

• Kite Flying Robot rocks Hilo [+ Show ]
  

  When Kite Flying Robot took the stage I swear if felt like Harry Potter just walked into the bar. M...When Kite Flying Robot took the stage I swear if felt like Harry Potter just walked into the bar. Magic was in the air. Before I knew it I was off the bar stool dancing shoulder to shoulder in the smoky crowd. The Hilo was cramped but no one seemed to let it cramp their style. Who cares about the beer being spilt on you or the smoke in your face? Not I.
  The music moved through the room and no one, not a single hand could restrain from clapping another.
  
  Their latest album "Solid Gold" released in December of 2010 and I'm shocked I had no idea. The Norman Music Festival is coming up soon, April 28-30, and Kite Flying Robot along with over 200 more acts will be performing. You can find them on April 30 on the Blackwatch Stage at 5 p.m.

• Kite Flying Robot: Not Just an Awesome Mental Image [+ Show ]
  

  Kite Flying Robot sounds like a textured, casio driven fun-fest with a horn section! Bass, drum mach...Kite Flying Robot sounds like a textured, casio driven fun-fest with a horn section! Bass, drum machine, velvety David Byrne-esque vocals…who could ask for more? Sounds like: Falling down a retro, neon-streaked rabbit hole.
  

• Kite Flying Robot [+ Show ]
  

  Kite Flying Robot is an eclectic mishmash of indie pop synths and drum machines with glassy guitars ...Kite Flying Robot is an eclectic mishmash of indie pop synths and drum machines with glassy guitars and marching band horns to keep it from sounding canned. Etheric, slowly evolving melodies nestle themselves comfortably between bouncy dance beats and funky bass lines.
  
  Their lyrics evoke the surreal boredom-trance that gives birth to colorful, dancing daydreams. It's like they created a wormhole connecting the furthest reaches of the left brain to the right. This music is some pretty well-played escapism.
  

• Bull and Gate, London [+ Show ]
  

  Weilding ukeleles, casio keyboards, this Oklahoma USA are Bongwater in full on disco trash mode! Coo...Weilding ukeleles, casio keyboards, this Oklahoma USA are Bongwater in full on disco trash mode! Cool!

• Old Queen's Head, London [+ Show ]
  

  Jeffrey Lewis's favourite New York Casio Vs. Ukelele mash up touring the UK to support their Colour ...Jeffrey Lewis's favourite New York Casio Vs. Ukelele mash up touring the UK to support their Colour TV EP.

Setlist

Our typical setlist at the moment is: (all original tunes)
Color TV
Blonde Bomb
Red Phonebooth
Song for Dandies
Halloween
Airplane Nosebleed
Tallyho!
Solid Gold
28-16-15-7

Basic Requirements

Calendar