Their music has been compared to ‘Dirty Vegas and the Black Crowes filtered through a Jamaican coffee percolator in Camden, London.’ If you happen to be Bajan and you understand that analogy without thinking much about it, more than likely, you’re a rock/alternative fan, and then, more than likely, you’re familiar with Kite, a two-membered local band doing big things in a relatively small musical niche in Barbados.  

Although the Caribbean region is musically dominated by soca, kaiso, reggae and other African-based genres, rock and its spin-off genres are becoming increasingly popular. And with the growing number of closet rock fans (folk who secretly enjoy the likes of Alanis, The Cranberries, Nirvana and Metallica, but would never admit it in public), its no surprise that Kite’s music has managed to find a foothold in the local music industry. 

Kite’s guitar-based sound easily strikes a chord with genuine rock/alternative fans, but the band acknowledges incorporating Caribbean elements into its music…to the point where the track Breakfast In The Air features the line ‘can we have fishcakes for breakfast?’  The move has already paid dividends in getting the band noticed at the international level. Kite was the only band outside of North America to be invited to participate in Florida Music Festival in May of 2K5 -- a signal that the world stage is keeping an eye on quality artists, no matter where they may be located.

 It hasn’t exactly been easy for Kite to gain the recognition they’ve worked to earn.  Both members note that it was initially difficult to convince some stations to give them the airplay needed to promote their music.  The question was whether listeners would respond to the band’s music.  After all, to some, the concept of a Bajan-based rock band was as plausible as a Lithuanian-based Tuk band.  But solid singles like Nice To Finally Meet You, Firefly and Wake Up have received respectable airplay on local stations such as Mix FM and Love FM, and have been well received by audiences. 

The duo’s popularity has also been fuelled by strong live performances.  Bajans have had the opportunity to hear Kite at a number of locations including The Ship Inn, Jam Rock Café, Bert’s Bar and Lord Willoughby’s Tavern. The band’s first album Up In The Air is a quality production and their sophomore album, which is currently in development, builds on earlier successes. While the same guitar-based sounds will take centre-stage, Kite hints that the upcoming album will be infused with an elevated level of reggae-based sounds. 

The fact is that Kite is good.  Not ‘good for a Bajan band’… just plain and simple good.  And even in an environment where their music is very much niche oriented, popular mainly among open and ‘closet’ rock fans, if Kite has anything to do with it, the world will soon be spelling the word ‘rock’ with a capital K.

Quickfacts

Musical Influences:The Police, Bob Marley, Beatles, U2

Members: JJ Poulter, Brian Marshall

Been around for: 2 years

Likes: Anything with curry