AK & The Red Kites Talk Debut EP, Musical Influences And More

AK & The Red Kites are pleased to unveil the exciting, uplifting and hook drenched debut EP ‘Proverbial Storm’ which will be released on Friday 28th June 2024. Frontman/guitarist Andrew Knightley spoke to us about the EP, his musical influences and more: 

Who is in AK & The Red Kites and what do they play, how did you all meet?

To this point it’s been a solo project but the band I’ve been putting together will be announced soon. Stay tuned for that!

What is your earliest musical memory?

Probably owning the vinyl single of Survivor’s ‘Eye Of The Tiger’. I loved that song!

You have your debut EP ‘Proverbial Storm’ which is released on 28th June 2024. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

It was really a songwriting approach to the album. In my previous band Trident Waters often the music would happen first and the song was written around that. This time it was a much more mature approach to songwriting with a lot of home demoing of the tracks before going into the studio that helped a lot too.

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?

It was recorded in BASE Culture studio near Barnsley. Mike Krompass produced the record and did a fantastic job. We had a shared vision of what this record should sound like. I personally think it came out great and it’s a great reflection of this period in my musical career.

Who created/designed the EP artwork?

Aaron Gardner did the artwork, he’s also frontman in Stone Thieves. He did a great job and I love his band too!

You have also released the single ‘Wolf Moon’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

It was literal lyrics, as I sat looking out of my window. It pretty much describes the things I see everyday. Someone mentioned to me it was going to be a Wolf Moon in a couple of days time and that kinda gave me the title idea but the rest is simply observational lyrics based on my surroundings. It evokes really strong imagery I think.

‘Wolf Moon’ is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

I thought it would be great to do an animated kinda vibe with the Red Kite flying through awesome landscapes. Andy Pilkington of Very Metal Art managed to manifest that imagery in the video. He did a great job and I really dig it.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Aleister Crowleys ‘Diary Of A Drug Fiend’, purely because no one has ever done an adaptation and I think it would make a great film. Not sure how my music would fit into that though which would be a challenge which would make it even more appealing.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I currently use a Supro Black Magick amp and Fender/Gibson guitars. I probably excessively use a POG pedal for a lot of guitar doubling sections. It’s such a great effect, it makes riffs sound huge! I also own way too many Fuzz pedals!

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I was born in Cambridge, I grew up on the non-posh side ha! – ‘It’s nice but really boring’.

Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?

We play our first show at a local festival called 13 County Fair on 6th July. We’re looking to book some more shows for late 2024 but nothing’s confirmed yet.

Which of your new EP tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest – ‘Stronger,’ Angriest – ‘Devil’s Stomp’, Reflective – ‘Wolf Moon’.

Was it a difficult EP to write?

Not really it wasn’t hard actually. I wrote lots of tracks and this was kind of a musical evolution. I was on a roll and kept writing, this is just some of that pool of songs. I’m really happy with the process and kept working on demo’s until I was happy.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

I grew up with a lot of the classics Hendrix, Zep, Van Halen, DC, Gary Moore and all that. But I have many influences in soul, funk, r & b and all kinds. I’ve recently got really into Chris Stapleton and think he’s one of the best songwriters of our generation. I like a lot of the modern country rock stuff like Cadillac Three and the stuff coming out of Nashville. I think there’s so much good music around right now.

How do you look after your voices?

I do voice work a few times a week and don’t smoke cigarettes. As you get further along the path you have to be mindful of not getting shouty or push your voice too hard. Drinking water and warming up before shows or performing is important.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2024?

Maybe, we’ll see!

What makes AK and The Red Kites happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happy stuff – Guitars, music, festivals, California sunshine, reading and writing songs.

Unhappy stuff – UK weather 90% of the time!