‘STRONGER’
THE NEW SINGLE & VIDEO
OUT NOW
WATCH
Modern rock band with a retro infused vibe AK & The Red Kites are pleased to release the uplifting and hook drenched new single and video ‘Stronger’ taken from the debut EP ‘Proverbial Storm’ available now on CD and all digital platforms direct HERE. Frontman and guitarist Andrew Knightley says of the release “It’s 100% song driven as I’ve grown and wanted to come away from focusing on the guitar to allow myself to be more vulnerable in my writing. ‘Stronger’ is an example of that about not backing down, taking whatever comes to you and dealing with it in a positive way as you’ll feel like you just won a world title by the end.”
Having eloped from the city life to the Chiltern Hills UK during the global pandemic, Andrew began writing songs that would shape the EP rising from the ashes of his previous blues rock band Trident Waters. “I wrote most of my new music looking out the window onto the woods and the Red Kites are always circling overhead. I felt a connection, that they were part of my inspiration, as they glided across the sky crying and going about their business. I wanted to honour that sense of freedom and protection that they have provided me with. The band name is a direct reference to my creative process and where I am now as a person.”
The 6 track collection showcases Knightleys eclectic range as a songwriter and musician; ranging from full on high tempo hard rockers, big riffs to panoramic swamp vibes with incursions into country and delta blues rock territory in the vein of Rival Sons, Ritchie Kotzen and ZZ Top. Andrew muses, “I’ve put a lot of who I am and where I’ve been into the songs and have laid it all on the table.”
Working with multi-platinum award winning producer Mike Krompass (Everybody Loves An Outlaw, Steven Tyler) and recording at his state-of-the-art studio Base Culture has brought out what Andrew believes to be his best work to date. “There’s a far more contemporary sound to the guitars across the whole and we really focused on my vocal delivery taking precedence which I hadn’t done as much of in the past. We worked quickly and directly from the demos, layering on top aiming to make the biggest sound we could without losing sight of the song as that’s most important.” Adding to the expansiveness, mastering duties were expertly handled by Glenn Thomas of ItuneAudio (Kenny Aronoff, Billy Sheehan) and Justin Shturtz of Sterling Sound (Shinedown, 10 Years).
With this first offering AK & The Red Kites is now perched ready to soar throughout the rest of the year and beyond. “Ultimately I want the listener to interpret for themselves and take away what they choose from the EP…that it can relate to their own lives or help them out in a moment and to enjoy it as this is just the beginning. I can’t wait to get out and play these songs at the EP release show at The Black Heart London September 17 (tickets on sale here) and there’s a lot more to come yet!”
SOCIAL MEDIA