Danny Harley is making some pretty special music under the moniker of The Kite String Tangle, this much is true. We sent him some questions about the musical fields he’s dabbling in currently, how he got into electronic sounds and what we can be expecting from him as he prepares for a November tour!
Tell us a little about how you came to don the name “The Kite String Tangle”…
The Kite String Tangle is name that I’ve had for a while and I can’t quite remember when it first came about. For me it represents innocence, nostalgia and complication and these sorts of themes are themes that I hope people also feel when listening to my music. However, I also love to hear other people’s interpretations.
What came first, the music or the name?
The name for sure. It used to be a guise I went under for an ambient project I had that was completely stripped back and had no drums or vocals. The music changed but the name stuck.
Going way back now… How did you get your start in producing electronic music?
I first got into electronic production at university, where I was studying music. I entered the degree as a guitar player and songwriter and eventually caved in to the seductive lure of electronic music. It really resonated with me because, to me, it just seemed like it had endless possibilities, especially when combined with organic instrumentation.
The music that we’re hearing now – how far back does that material go?
The music I’ve released is fairly recent, but I’ve been writing in this style for five years or so. I’ve always wanted to release it and when it came time to do so, I just sort of released whatever track I was working on at the time.
What was the first piece of music you created that we’re now enjoying?
On my Soundcloud you’ll find a track called “The Fear”. I don’t know how long it will stay up there because it was put up over a year ago and was definitely the earliest incarnation of TKST. It’s unmastered and quite raw compared to what I’ve released more recently.
You’ve remixed quite a few tracks now – what’s the process of making that happen? How do you choose the artists/tracks you want to remix?
I generally remix tracks under two circumstances. Firstly, if someone approaches me asking for a remix and I like the track, I’ll do it OR if a track really resonates with me I’ll try to track down the stems for my own satisfaction haha! Remixing is something I enjoy and is unique to electronic music. It’s a great combination in my eyes.
The style and direction you’ve taken isn’t what we’re used to from your work with Pigeon – how do you think you ended up taking the direction you did?
It’s something I’ve always done and I think the sound you hear with Pigeon is the cumulative effort of five people combining their influences to create something cohesive. I think for us, it has only been recently that we’ve become comfortable with our sound. For TKST it’s something that has been evolving for around seven years, even though it’s a much younger project in the eyes of the public.
Where do you think it will do for here? Where do you want it to go?
Well it’s always easy to say ‘world domination’, but to set some more realistic goals, I’d really like to see music become my career and to take me travelling across Australia and overseas. If I can be paid to share my music with people that want to hear it…well that’s just an absurd dream come true.
If you could have the blessing to remix the work of one artist who would it be?
I’m completely in love with Bonobo’s new album at the moment and if I ever got to remix a track of his, that would be a life goal tick. Otherwise, something a bit simpler that I could really take to a different level such as the xx.
Tell us about what you’re working on at the moment…
I’m currently working on a few remixes and then I’m going to be focusing entirely on originals aiming to release an EP early next year. The debut EP will be an important body of work for me so i’m really wanting to put out the best record I possibly can, however I think the grim reality is that artists are very rarely happy with what they put out for very long, which is a blessing in disguise because it essentially acts as a catalyst for newer and more innovative music.
What can we expect from you for the rest of 2013 and moving into 2014?
I’ll be doing my first ever headline tour around Australia in November and should be releasing a few remixes and then early 2014 I’m hoping to release my EP. So keep a look out 😀
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THE KITE STRING TANGLE
“GIVEN THE CHANCE TOUR”
With Special guests
Announce & on Sale: Thursday 3rd October
THUR 7th NOV – Black Bear Lodge, BRISBANE, QLD
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=39054 / 1300 762 545
FRI 8th NOV – The Causeway, PERTH, WA
Tickets: Free Entry before 9:00 PM / Tickets available on the door after
SAT 9th NOV – Rhino Room, ADELAIDE, SA
Tickets: Available on the door
THUR 14th NOV – Workers Club, MELBOURNE, VIC
Tickets: https://corner.ticketscout.com.au/gigs/1852/TheKiteStringTangle / 03 9427 9198
FRI 15th NOV – Brighton Up Bar, SYDNEY, NSW
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=39055 / 1300 762 545
