Thrones of Glory - Single
Breaking down beats seems as natural to HEAD LIKE A KITE’s Dave Einmo as breaking down genre barriers. HLAK’s new single "Thrones of Glory" highlights Einmo's love of keeping listeners guessing by mixing it up with guests, this time enlisting the talents of electronic wonderkid Boom Bip (Neon Neon) and Asya of Smoosh, to produce HLAK's most unabashed pop song to date. Transfusing the melodic timbre of The Postal Service and the eclectic mashups of Hot Chip with the springy guitars of Sonic Youth by way of Guided by Voices, HLAK's "Thrones of Glory" is a sunny bliptronic indie popper. Marrying a love of progressive electronic production and instrumental wizardry with a spot-on knack for pop-songcraft, Head Like A Kite debuted in 2006 with the Pattern 25 release, Random Portraits of the Home Movie, a universally praised album built around samples from family Super-8 home movies from the 70s. The success of the album led to tours of the US and Japan (with projector in tow) and an appearance on MTV2's "On The Rise." (See reviews from London Times, URB, Remix, LA Weekly, NPR, Magnet, Alternatiave Press, etc. at www.headlikeakite.com.) Head Like A Kite continued the climb with a move to LA-based electronic label Mush for the summer 2008 release, There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere, which debuted in the CMJ Top 50, and charted #1 at influential stations such as KEXP. Building on HLAK's found sound meets electronic rock framework with unquestionable expertise, the single "Thrones of Glory" delivers an electronic indie pop anthem leading up to a full-length Head Like a Kite release in March, 2010. Also includes a live version of the crowd favorite "Blue Merlot in Tokyo." HEAD LIKE A KITE is the musical project of Dave Einmo. Joined live and in the studio by a revolving cast of musical friends and animals. Drummer Trent Moorman appears on "Blue Merlot in Tokyo" (live at London Bridge). Summary of press from previous Head Like a Kite releases: URB - (April 08) "A true genre-twisted party album that appropriately captures the sounds of an eclectic America." THE STRANGER The dreamy soundtrack to your imaginary trip into space... pitch-black but layered with bright, starry bursts of breathy vocals, strings, and unexpected guitar freak-outs." ALTERNATIVE PRESS 5 out of 5. "Gorgeous pop melodies with electronica bleeps." REMIX - (Oct 08) "An electro-pop album of depth and detail." REMIX - (Feb 06) "Random Portraits is a beautiful pop album that pays personal homage to the past but has one eye on the future." MAGNET "Sonic Youth guitar treatments upon Stereolab keyboards on top of Primal Scream-style vocal loops....a well-edited scrapbook of retro-futurism." KEXP "Quite possibly the best release out of the Northwest this year." THE STRANGER (preview) "Infectious songs filigreed with the sort of vintage synth frippery that gives Tape Op readers sweaty palms." THE STRANGER (August Feature) "Entirely enjoyable and creatively invigorating. Expands the boundaries of pop." URB - (Feb 06) 4.5 stars. "Samples of lush soundscape playback with a mellow Dandy Warhols vocal. Start to finish, it's a full soundtrack worth watching (listening to.)" SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN (Pick of the Week) "Think Pinback's melodic tonalities with guitar treatments by Brian Eno. HLAK's live shows are an aural-erotic experience." NEW YORK POST "Intriguing... groovy pop album." AMERICAN SONGWRITER "Mixing tons of sampling and bits of electronica with alternative rock in the vein of The Pixies and Morphine, Random Portraits comes out sounding like a sane man's Nine Inch Nails." ALL MUSIC GUIDE "This is one of those rare albums that is both immediately accessible and strangely thought-provoking at the same time. Highly recommended." PERFORMER "This album is an eclectic masterstroke, soothing and infectious all at once." EAST BAY EXPRESS "Pure pop majesty... this collage of retro memories, wispy Dinosaur Jr. hooks, and indie electropop works without a hitch." SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER "Excellent debut... Fans should find much love in the band's jerky and often sinister sounds." Featured in Top 10 Bands to Watch in 2006 LOS ANGELES TIMES Buzz Bands - "A sonic tapestry." LONDON TIMES "Great debut album." BEAUTIFUL DECAY "This album is an experience to enjoy." MORE PRESS: For more reviews, MTV videos, NPR interviews, photos, etc., see www.headlikeakite.com.