The Paper Kites

Emerging from Melbourne’s independent scene in the late 2000s, The Paper Kites gradually established themselves as an Australian band with an intimate-leaning indie folk and folk rock aesthetic. Centered around Sam Bentley and Christina Lacy, the quintet cultivates songwriting focused on vocal harmonies, acoustic guitars, and delicate atmospheres, at times tinged with dream pop. After two early EPs—Woodland in 2011 and Young North in 2012—The Paper Kites released their debut album States in 2013, which placed the group on Australian touring circuits and then on international stages. The 2015 album twelvefour marked a more nocturnal, electric direction while retaining a pared-back melodic writing style. In 2018, The Paper Kites followed with two complementary records, On the Train Ride Home and On the Corner Where You Live, spanning acoustic ballads and more urban-leaning arrangements. The 2021 project Roses explored the duet format with various female voices, before 2023’s At the Roadhouse, inspired by a country-bar aesthetic and a more organic performance, regularly presented live in mid-sized venues and folk- and indie-oriented festivals.