After a few years as one of the slickest “psychedelic sun pop” acts on the scene, Sydney’s The Kava Kings have today premiered Two Strangers, their dreamy powerhouse of an EP.
Back in 2015, Australian music fans were lucky enough to bear witness to the premiere of No Time To Lose, a gorgeous collection of tracks from The Kava Kings, a blissful four-piece from Sydney’s Southern Beaches.
As time has gone on, these tracks have resonated with audiences all over the world, with the band performing to countless eager fans throughout Europe, and performing alongside Aussie icons like The Rubens, Birds Of Tokyo, John Butler, and Winston Surfshirt.
Now, after plenty of waiting, The Kava Kings are gearing up to release their latest EP, Two Strangers, on August 23rd. Produced by Eskimo Joe’s Joel Quartermaine, the group recently dropped the gorgeous single ‘Stars’, which provides an insight into the smooth, dreamy sound they showcase in every track.
“The Two Strangers EP as a whole, is a collection of songs that describe the different stages of relationships,” explained The Kava Kings’ Chris Smithson.
“From love loss to breaking out of chains and moving on. We have reinvented the band with this EP. Recording songs that feel totally different to what we’ve ever done.”
Check out ‘Stars’ by The Kava Kings:
Kicking off the recording process in 2017, the band set their sights on Melbourne to begin with, before heading back to Sydney to lay down the finishing touches at Parliament Studios.
“The music always comes first for us, and even before showing other band mates we usually finish the song,” Chris explained. “It’s OCD behaviour but its always worked for us.”
“We were so lucky to be working with Joel Quartermain who engineered, produced and mixed the whole EP. The two songs ‘Friends’ and ‘Medicine’ were first up. We drove down to Melbourne to record with Joel. The days consisted of many dart breaks and eating snitty rolls down the road.
“It was a long time between drinks but we decided to get back into recording. Joel flew into Sydney to complete the rest of the EP in late 2018. Parliament studios in Leichhardt was such a great place to create. There was so much gear everywhere.”
Utilising “old Synths, beautiful pianos, drum machines, novelty guitar pedals and so much more,” the group explored and experimented with theirs sound, adding in Mellotrons, cellos, violins, and much more, helping to expand their focus and provide listeners with something truly special.
“Tom and Nuge both really found a style of playing that suited the record,” Chris Smithson continued. “They could’ve just done the classic guitar strumming but instead they would create interesting patterns and arpeggios that slotted into the tracks.
“You can really hear it in the songs. Joel Q would really push our playing into places we never thought we would go. It was stressful because it was almost a test of your musicianship.”
Check out ‘Friends’:
Despite the fact that it took a couple of years for the EP to finally reach its completed state, it’s been a worthwhile wait for fans, who will get the chance to hear The Kava Kings at their very best on this new EP.
“We all stepped it up majorly as players in the recording of the Two Strangers,” Chris Smithson noted. “It took about two years to finish the EP but it was well worth the wait. And we have never been so proud of anything.”
To celebrate the release of the Two Strangers EP, The Kava Kings will be kicking off an east coast tour at the end of September, performing in Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra, Maroochydore, and Katoomba, hitting up some of their “favourite spots and venues.”
“Our Sydney show will be at The Lansdowne Hotel which we’re really looking forward to,” Chris explained. “Joining us will our good friends Gold Member and MVRKS. Other shows include North gong Hotel, Transit bar, Solbar & The Junction. Can’t wait to get back in the van and do what we love.”
You can stream Two Strangers ahead of its Friday release below, and be sure to head along to catch the group when they hit the live stage next month.
Stream Two Strangers by The Kava Kings:
The Kava Kings ‘Two Strangers’ Tour
Friday, September 27th
(With The Fins)
Solbar, Maroochydore, QLD
Tickets: Oztix
Thursday, October 10th
(With Gold Member, MVRKS)
The Lansdowne, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: In Tix
Thursday, October 31st
(With Powder Blue)
Transit Bar, Canberra, ACT
Tickets: Moshtix
Saturday, November 2nd
(With Bush Plum, Ear Sponge)
The Junction, Katoomba, NSW
Tickets: Oztix
Sunday, November 10th
(With Bush Plum, Ear Sponge)
North Gong, Wollongong, NSW
Free Entry
