Racing Kites Interview August 30th, 2006

– Please state your name and position in the band and give us a little history on yourself.

I’m Alex, I sing for Racing Kites. I’ve been making music for several years now as a hobby. It recently became a career.

– How long has Racing Kites been around for, and how did you guys come about getting signed?

With current members and in full swing, we’ve been a band for about 6 months. Dan, Rick and I started about a year ago. We got signed after we put up a few demos on our myspace page. Hands Against The Sky was recorded without a bass player. The demo version of course.

– You guys are about to release your new EP, can you tell us about it?

Absolutely stoked on this. Its been a long journey but were extremely happy with the outcome. Certain things had to be overlooked but it came out nicely. The six songs that are on our EP are the first six songs we’ve ever written as a band. Of course now we have new ideas and demos but the songs off the EP are who we are and we are becoming. With all of us coming from different musical backgrounds it gives the listener more variety. Some songs are straight up pop, some rock. We hope everyone likes it as much as we do.

– Where did you guys record the songs and do you have a favorite?

We recorded them in Paramus, NJ with Jayson DeZuzio. Its hard to pick a favorite because I feel a diversity in the record. But if I had to choose one it would be Dreamers & Believers.

– Are you guys planning on going on tour in support of your new EP?

Yes! We can’t wait to get back out on the road! Even though our last tour was a disaster, were excited! In October were embarking on a Absolutepunk.net tour and after that were still in talks. So, who knows but we plan to tour heavily in its support.

– If you could go out on tour with anybody who would it be?

For me…Switchfoot, Over It, and Relient K. I love those bands, they are a big influence.

– What do you guys like to do in your free-time and are you guys still in school?

We love hanging out, friendship really fuels this band. We all dropped school to do this and were trying to make the best of it. When hard times approached us such as the van breaking down, sleeping inside the van in a Wal Mart parking lot in 100 degree weather with no AC we pulled it together as friends.
Alex Racing Kites: We look up to each other and we learn a lot that way.

– Thats a good thing to have in a band.

Indeed! It really hit us during tour, when you’re stuck in a van withfour other people, they are your family.

– Do you have a favorite movie or tv show?

Okay, I speak for everyone in the band when I say Anchorman. Meet us at a show and you will see, we always talk Anchorman quotes, we can’t help it.

– “It’s really hot, milk was a bad choice”

Hahaha, that’s actually the one we quote we used this past summer on tour when we baked in our Van with no ac.

– lol ya thats a great movie.

Agreed!

– A very quote friendly movie, and I would have to say one of Will Farrell’s best.

You and I are on the same page, although his quick role in Wedding Crashers was phenominal!

– Haha that to, I wasn’t very impressed with Talladega Nights though.

That movie was pretty funny to me but it was no Anchorman haha.

– What could we find in your CD player or on your iPod right now?

Over It-Step Outside Yourself, they really suprised me with this record. Its outstanding, its a whole new band. Very happy for them.

– It is a change for them and it turned out good.

I think the change suits them well, they have really matured as a band something everyone hopes to do as a musician. The other day I felt a little old school so I put in Switchfoot-new way to be human.

– Are you anticipating anything other releases this year?

I’m really looking forward to the new This Providence, Copeland, Switchfoot, and Relient K.

– Relient K played a new song at Cornerstone this summer and it sounded amazing.

I can’t wait! Matty T and the rest of those dudes are such great people! Also, I’m not sure if the new starting line is coming out soon but I’m really excited to hear that.

– It’ll be great to see how those guys have matured as well.

Yes, I know its for the better, they played a few new songs last time I saw them and they sounded really good.

– What are your thoughts on technology as far as kids downloading music?

I believe that it has its ups and downs. Downloading music hurts the music industry and the artist. However it can also benefit the artist. If kids love the music they usually buy the cd anyway or come to your show and buy merch. I always buy cds because I like to have the artwork . I don’t download.

– I find the actual CD to be a better investment at this point as well. But the future will hold different ways to do everything.

Oh yeah, sooner or later something new will creep in. Technology is always changing. But you’re right, when you buy a cd I think you get better quality.

– How have you guys benefitted from being online with places like MySpace and PureVolume.

A LOT! Those websites especially myspace opened up a whole new door for us and our friends. Not only can you let people hear your songs but you can interact with them as well. We love to make new friends. We make it a point to respond to mail and comments

– Well thats about all I have, would you like to say anything else to the visitors of our website?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and support this website, its very useful! Thanks Bryce, this was fun. Check our EP out ‘We Hold It All Together’ in stores September 26th! And say what’s up to us on our myspace.com/racingkites.