Creative Conversations 005: Decoding C()D3X With The Kite String Tangle
Interview by Justin Pix.
Brisbane based artist, The Kite String Tangle (Danny Harley) has been a quintessential force in the dance landscape, delighting fans domestically and abroad with his production prowess. We sat down with Danny to decode and delve into the depths of the release of C()D3X, his second studio album.
Futuremag Music: Hey Kite String Tangle, how’re you going?
The Kite String Tangle: Not bloody bad at all except the “L” button on my keyboard only works when I hit it really hard, so that’s a bummer.
Futuremag Music: Ahh technology a classic stitch up! Congratulations on the new album C()D3X, which features some excellent songs! What was the production process behind this album?
The Kite String Tangle: I really wanted to have a solid idea of the sonic space before I went in on this one so I spent a bit of time trying to work out what that might sound like. Then from there I usually start with drums and build up from there and vocals are generally last for some weird reason. There was definitely a lot more focus on the production on this album. There’s three instrumental tracks on the album and I’ve never had instrumental tracks on an album before.
Futuremag Music: On the note of production, this album features more of a darker and energetic vibe, where did you draw your inspiration from?
The Kite String Tangle: This is basically me trying to bridge the gap between what I write and what I listen to. I listen to quite a lot of techno and UK house and things like that, but my own songwriting is quite different from that and inspired by more traditional alternative pop stuff. So for this album I wanted to introduce more of the electronic influences that I have.
Futuremag Music: You certainly blend those murky sonics with lush pop. Could you talk us through what it was like collaborating with album features LANKS, Eliott and Kateboy?
The Kite String Tangle: I love collaborating, because I work alone so often so you get results that you wouldn’t necessarily get working alone. I’m big fans of all of my collaborators, so it was a dream working with all of them. Kateboy and I went on tour together years ago in the states and have been wanting to collaborate ever since. LANKS has an amazing voice and we’ve been trying to write a track together for a long time, so I was really happy to get this one across the line. Eliott and I met at a writing camp and I was already a big fan of her voice and the track came together really quickly and naturally.
The Kite String Tangle by Cybele Malinowski
Futuremag Music: Remaining on the note of artists; ‘NORTH’, released in the lead up the release of C()D3X, features some strong remixes from Motez and UK’s Shadow Child. What made you choose these artists to take up remix duties?
The Kite String Tangle: I’ve always been a big fan of both of these artists. Shadow Child was a dream to get on board, also because it’s a nod to the UK house scene which was an influence to the production on the album. I’ve always been a fan of Motez’s work so it was great to be able to get him on board and he absolutely smashed it.
Futuremag Music: The release of this album also brought on a new tour promoting it, what makes you most excited for this tour?
The Kite String Tangle: I’m excited to put together a new show. I’ve been doing a similar show for a little while now so I‘m really pumped to get my hands dirty conceptualising a new set and lights. It’s always a really hard but fun and rewarding part of the process and I can’t wait to show people.
Futuremag Music: Do you have a particular venue or city that you are really keen to play at on this tour?
The Kite String Tangle: I always love a hometown show in Brisbane.
Futuremag Music: To wrap it up, if C()D3X was a cocktail, what would be in it to best describe its sound?
The Kite String Tangle: I feel like it would maybe be a dark and stormy.