Song of the Day: Kite Base - Miracle Waves

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Miracle Waves”, the latest self-released single by UK duo Kite Base.

Kite Base - Miracle Waves (MP3)

About the origin of their band name, UK duo Kendra Frost and Ayşe Hassan offer both a reason and a mission:

One of the main starting points found in origami, an opening move made with simple folds to generate a firm and fertile foundation for creativity. It can become whatever you want it to be- simple or complex- based on the imagination of the creator, inspiration and chance.

As apt an analogy as it is, there's no getting around the fact that the name Kite Base also nods to the chosen instrument of both Frost and Hannan, who, as bass players (Hannan most notably of post-punk provocateurs Savages), know how to drive a beat. But rather than falling too deep into the low end with Kite Base, the pair add minimal yet dance-friendly electronic melodies to their propulsive rhythms. At least, that's what we can tell from what we've heard so far, because, as of yet, Kite Base has released only two songs: the darkly bopping debut, "Dadum", and the newer single, "Miracle Waves", which is today's featured song. Moody but not dreary, "Miracle Waves" hits about all possible registers, starting immediately with a throbbing programmed beat and intertwining bass lines, setting up Kendra Frost's alluring dramatic mezzo-soprano vocals, which reach upward just as an overdriven fuzz box drags another grungy bass line through the dirt. Such PJ Harvey-esque dynamics make "Miracle Waves" irresistible and repeatedly listenable.

Even if these two songs were all the duo had to offer, we'd count ourselves lucky, but thankfully Kite Base plan to post further tracks on their Soundcloud page soon and promise gig info to come later this year. For now, keep up with Kendra and Ayşe on the Kite Base website and Facebook page, and watch the "kite base" inspired video for "Dadum", animated by illustrator Sam Dunn here: