Melbourne indie folk quintet, The Paper Kites have recently released a video for their first single, Electric Indigo from the new record (twelvefour out August 28), alongside an extensive national twelvefour album tour. Drummer Josh Bentley took time out to answer a Q&A for us about his drums and the band
What was your first drum kit like?
My first kit was made up of odds and ends, but the majority of the drums were Pearl Export series
What’s your regular kit set up?
C&C Drums
Snare 14×6.5
Kick 22×14
Tom 13×8
Tom 16×15
Cymbals
14” Hats
16” Crash
20” Ride
Is it the same for recording?
Yep same for recording but I experiment with different size drums and cymbals in the studio.
What sticks do you favour?
Pro-mark 5As
Other drummers you admire?
John Bonham & Ash Soan
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
Our latest recording is our second album ‘Twelvefour’ which comes out on the 28th August in Australia.
What gigs have you been playing lately?
Haven’t played too many lives shows as of late. As a band we have just started rehearsals for our next tour, which begins in October.
Most memorable gig?
Was playing to a packed house at the Forum Theatre in Melbourne on our headline tour. It was special playing at this iconic venue in our hometown, a dream come true.
Worst stage nightmare?
Our new stuff occasionally has backing tracks and click tracks. My worst nightmare would be to play out of time/synch with these tracks to a live audience…it’s happened before.
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
We hit the road again in October for our headline tour of Australia and NZ. Then later in the year we go back to the USA and Canada for another headline tour.
Tour Dates:
THU 15 OCT | THE GOV, ADELAIDE SA (ALL AGES)
FRI 16 OCT | AMPLIFIER, PERTH WA
SAT 17 OCT | SETTLERS TAVERN, MARGARET RIVER WA
THU 22 OCT | THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE VIC (ALL AGES)
FRI 23 OCT | 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE VIC
SAT 24 OCT | THE WORKERS CLUB, GEELONG VIC
THU 29 OCT | SOLBAR, MAROOCHYDORE QLD
FRI 30 OCT | THE SOUNDLOUNGE, GOLD COAST QLD
SAT 31 OCT | WOOLLY MAMMOTH, BRISBANE QLD
THU 05 NOV | LIZOTTES, NEWCASTLE NSW (ALL AGES)
FRI 06 NOV | THE METRO, SYDNEY NSW (ALL AGES)
SAT 07 NOV | ANU BAR, CANBERRA ACT
SUN 08 NOV | ANITA’S THEATRE, THIRROUL NSW (ALL AGES)
A drum tip for the kids?
Start young, fundamentals and practice is key and feel the drums, don’t just smack the crap out of them!