Watch The Kite String Tangle’s New Clip For “Given The Chance”

After a few years of hitting stages across the country as part of electro outfit Pigeon, producer Danny Harley struck Soundcloud gold in 2013 with his solo project The Kite String Tangle and their track “Given The Chance”. The runaway momentum is set to continue this year with the release of a debut EP, a national tour (supported by Thump) that’s already selling out venues, and a SXSW sojourn to good ol’ Texas. As if you weren’t already wetting your pants in anticipation, we’re premiering the video for the aforementioned track “Given The Chance”. See, it was worth getting out of bed this morning.

THUMP: So you’re getting ready to release your debut EP, has it been a case of playing catch-up with the success of “Given The Chance”?
Danny Harley: Not really, just because the track has had almost six months of legs. It’s gained traction very slowly, so I’ve had six months to be planning what I’m putting out next, as well as keeping up with expectations. Nothing’s been rushed or too hectic, it’s been pretty good actually.

Do you think kids give a shit about genre these days?
It doesn’t matter at all really. We’ve seen this open platform where everyone likes music; and if they like what they hear, then that’s good. I have this theory where we’ve gone through all these little phases, and now we’re all doing a recap on what’s happened: let’s listen to ’70s disco, ’80s synth-pop, ’90s grunge, ’90s R&B. Now you can sort of release any style of music and people are familiar with the sounds. If you released a disco-y thing, or a ’50s rock thing, people know you’re giving a tip of a hat to that era. There was a stage where the ’80s were trendy, or the ’90s were trendy. But you can do whatever you want now. It’s a completely open platform, genre-wise.

I’m assuming your formative years were in a time where genre did matter. What were you into?
I was a pretty massive pop-punk kinda guy. It was like pop music disguised as something cooler than it was. Essentially it’s just good catchy music for simple people [laughs]. I was definitely more towards the rock side of things.

Sydney’s had this huge electronica scene for a while, Melbourne is starting to follow suit. What’s it been like in Brisbane?
It’s funny actually. I’ve been to Sydney and Melbourne a few times, and I like to keep on top of what producers are there as well as Brisbane. But Brisbane had this little scene of producers that thrived, but not hugely. There just wasn’t enough support. There were people who made beats who supported other people who made beats. But it was such a small scene. Brisbane has such a healthy rock and grunge scene, with people like Violent Soho, Dune Rats, and DZ Deathrays. But we’re seeing it more now, not exactly in a beats-y producer kind of way, more like bands like MTNS who make electronic pop music rather than groove-based tracks.

If you want to make a living from making music in 2014, do you need to be juggling more than one musical project?
It’s a good question. I’ve always had my fingers in multiple pies, I always tried to be prolific and find outlets for everything I want to do. It’s definitely important on a local level. For me, it’s more of a creative thing. I get to be in a high-energy five-piece electro band, then do something down-tempo and more evocative. It’s musical therapy. In terms of making a living, I don’t think it’s necessary, but it certainly helps.

Have you ever done the thing where you tie a kite to the end of a fishing line?
No, I’ve never even heard of this. Explain.

You just tie a kite to a fishing rod line and let the reel fly. It’s mad. There wasn’t much to do growing up in the country.
Wow. I’ll try it, as per your recommendation. I’ll report back with the results.

Stay away from power lines.

The Kite String Tangle is touring nationally for Thump in February.

12 February at Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

13 February at Transit Bar, Canberra

14 February at Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

15, 16, 17 February at Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

19 February at Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle

20 February at Flyrite, Perth

21 February at Arcade Lane, Adelaide

22, 23 February at The Zoo, Brisbane