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, trumpet, 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. Unique yet effective juxtapositions that have gotten
them independent radio spins in the US and UK, and landed them shows
with Octopus Project, Future Islands, Nico Vega, Colourmusic, Little
Teeth, and Prince Rama.
Dec 10, 2010 saw the release of Kite Flying Robot’s debut 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.