A large portion of our time is spent passively listening to music. Perhaps via a new mixtape in the car, or when Spotify’s suggested streaming kicks in. Occasionally, a series of vibrations will penetrate your consciousness, causing a sobering yet intoxication moment: “Holy shit! What is this track?”.

Solo act The Kite String Tangle, known to his drinking buddies as Danny Harley, has been the catalyst to one of these moments, experienced thousands of times over around the world. Drawing from influences including Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, Mount Kimbie and SBTRKT, Danny has managed to pull off a highly evocative and epically styled result.

Stemmed from a home studio in Brisbane, Australia, his single “Given The Chance” is kicking copious amounts of ass in both the ARIA and Hypem charts and being fired across the airwaves on the reg. Also known to knock about in Unearthed indie dance band Pigeon, Danny’s solo project has only been kicking it for little over 12 months, so I decided to throw him a couple of softballs to find out a bit more.

Can you sum up your creative vision for The Kite String Tangle in a sentence?
The Kite String Tangle is the creative outlet and a form of emotional therapy that I’ve been practicing for about 5 or so years before giving it a name.
wait.. thats not really a vision?!

Tell us about the name.
The Kite String Tangle is a name I initially had for an ambient project. The music changed but the name stuck. In essence I think the name still matches the music for me because it represents innocence, nostalgia and complication, all of which I hope can be found in my music.

What was the attraction to incorporating electronic and sampled elements into your sound?
I think electronic samples and sounds and parts offer an infinite textural variety that sometimes organic instruments can’t offer. I think the two worlds complement each other in a really great way.

Were you writing ‘Given The Chance’ from experience or with more of a story telling motive?
Interesting question. I think it was more of a story than a personal experience. But sometimes I find myself finding meaning in some lyrics that I didn’t know existed, and I’m not sure if I wrote them about something in particular but subconsciously – in the case of that song anyway. Regardless, I definitely like to write lyrics that can be interpreted by others in their own way and applied to their own life.

With Pigeon on the go, and The Kite String Tangle starting to really taking shape, do you have any other project ideas that you might pursue? A side side-project?
Haha! Man I’m constantly dreaming up other side side-projects.. I wanted to do a HUSKY-esque side project with a bunch of singers from other bands and from other states. I think that’d be cool!

Who are some of your favourite side-projects at the moment?
Charles Murdoch (Mitzi), Jamie XX (The XX).. Sampha, if that could be considered a side project of SBTRKT?

Lastly, name 3 Australian and 3 international artists you’re vibing on at the moment.
Australian Artists: Charles Murdoch, Panama and SAFIA.
International: Bonobo, Jamie XX, and Duke Dumont.

Throw in a recent goosebump-inducing cover of Lorde’s ‘Tennis Court’ and rounded out with tour supports for MS MR, Gold Panda, Rüfüs, Owl Eyes and Movement, The Kite String Tangle is now poised to set sail for the first time on his very own headline tour of Australia.

Kite String Tangle ‘Given The Chance’ tour dates
Thur 7th NOV – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane, QLD
Fri 8th NOV – The Causeway, Perth, WA
Sat 9th NOV – Rhino Room, Adelaide, SA
Thur 14th NOV – Workers Club, Melbourne, VIC
Fri 15th NOV – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney, NSW