A Chat with Kite Thief (22.08.25)
Blending diverse influences in a cathartic wave of high-energy metal meets pop music, five-piece Kite Thief invite audiences to celebrate life in all its tragedies and triumphs. We speak with the Bristol band about their new single ‘BITE’, what music means to them, future plans, and much more.
OSR: How did Kite Thief come together? What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Kite Thief: We all went to a music university, having all been in bands before. So you could say the inspiration was already there! Elin hand-picked us for an exam/audition. We all got great marks in the exam and won a prize for best act! Thought it was worth giving it a go moving forward!
OSR: You recently released your single ‘BITE’. What can you tell us about the single? How did it come about, what was production like, and does it have any backstory or theme?
Kite Thief: ‘BITE’ is an anthem about toxic relationships that thrive on manipulation, feeding off each other until there’s nothing left. Born from frustration and witnessing the destructive cycle in the lives of those around us. We got to go on a trip together in Wales and work more with our lovely friend Jon from Poltergeist/Superlove (who is our secret sauce when we write) and wrote/finished this song there. We also worked with Nathan Smart for the first time who has taken our sound up a level.
OSR: Your singles, ‘Arrows Fly’ and ‘BITE’, are the first releases since 2023’s Ambiviolent. Do you feel you have grown as artists in the past couple of years, and do you think ‘BITE’ is a good representation of your music at the moment?
Kite Thief: I think ‘BITE ‘is probably the best representation of Kite Thief. I think it has taken us a long time to be able to communicate that. We played more shows in 2024 than in the 6 years before that, and as a result, we really didn’t do much writing. This meant that we had a really long time to figure out what we wanted it to sound like. We’re really happy with how it turned out.
OSR: What do you hope people take from ‘BITE’?
Kite Thief: Emotionally, I think it could be seen as a reminder to check on your friends and keep an eye out for those around you. But equally important, we hope it gives people a smile and a chance to boogie to some pop-metal.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Kite Thief: I think for us, these days, music means a lot more than it used to. It means travelling for hours in a van with your best friends to perform to strangers, it means an escape, a way to communicate, it can mean anything really!
OSR: You have performed at various festivals and notable live venues. What is your most memorable gig to date, and why is it so memorable?
Kite Thief: Playing the Forest stage at 2000 Trees stands out. It’s a fair-sized stage that still feels super intimate, set amongst trees.
OSR: If you had to create a seven-track mixtape of any songs you want, what would the mixtape be?
Kite Thief: 1. Soft Spine – Spiritbox
2. Vianova – Whatever Alright
3. Karnivool – New Day
4. Baz Luhrmann – Sunscreen
5. Metallica – Fixxxer
6. Primus – Shake Hands With Beef
7. O Zone – Dragostea Din Tei
OSR: Do you have any advice for upcoming musicians about to take their steps into the music industry?
Kite Thief: It is hard, but it is also the most fun thing that we get to be a part of. Main advice would be just get started, even if it’s small to begin with.
OSR: What can we expect from Kite Thief in the future?
Kite Thief: There may be more music coming soon. We currently don’t have plans for a larger piece of work. We also should be announcing some UK shows soon!
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Kite Thief: You stay classy, San Diego.
Many thanks to Kite Thief for speaking with us. Find out more about Kite Thief on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
