LOS ANGELES, CA- Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, the indie-folk band The Paper Kites played to a packed and excited El Rey theater in Los Angeles on Saturday night.  Touring in support of their fourth studio album, On the Corner Where You Live, frontman Sam Bentley, vocalist Christina Lacy, guitarist Dave Powys, drummer Josh Bentley, and bassist Sam Rasmussen delighted Los Angeles with their wistful melodies.

Like their other albums, On the Corner Where You Live is a concept album that Sam has described as “a collection of stories about these characters all living in an apartment building; I wanted to capture moments, feelings, it’s about people and their stories.” With lush new waves sonics, On the Corner Where You Live is an album that will set your soul at ease with its atmospheric vibe.

Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.

Opening for The Paper Kites was Tall HeightsThis Boston based electro-folk duo of Tim Harrington (vox, guitar) and Paul Wright (vox, cello), accompanied by a drummer for this tour, has a uniquely organic sound, earthly even. In 2018, they released their album Pretty Colors For Your Actions and have been touring in support of it. Their performance was lively, and served as the perfect lead-in to the evneing’s main course.

The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.

The Paper Kites’ film noir lighting and stage decor definately set the mood for a melancholy, bittersweet night.

The light and shadows cast through the carefully placed Venetian blinds combined with the El Rey’s aura of art deco past made for a beautiful sensory experience to remember. With dark and theatrical lighting variations from song to song, the mood in the dimly-lit theater took me back to the days when the El Rey played classic movies and made me feel like I was watching the final scene of Casablanca.

The infectious synthesizers and sensual melodic vocals moved the entire audience to sway back and forth all evening. With mesmerizing guitar riffs and powerful lyrics, the music was soothing, nostalgic, heart-wrenching, relieving and introspective all at once.

After a couple of songs, lead singer Sam Bentley explained that there are two types of people in the audience – couples who are in love and embracing one another, and sad singles who can be seen shedding a single tear. After surveying the room, the adoring crowd erupted in laughter and cheers.

I was especially moved by lyrics such as “There’s nothing wrong with a little space / But not right now, don’t leave / There’s nothing wrong with a little time / But for the memories, for the good things / Don’t leave,” with which the Paper Kites effortlessly captured and entranced the room.

After the show, the band came out to greet and chat with the excited audience members, many of whom had attended their previous Los Angeles show several years ago.

I continued to enjoy their music on my drive home.

Follow The Paper Kites on Facebook, Instagramand Twitter.

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The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Paper Kites @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
Tall Heights @ El Rey Theatre 9/22/19. Photo by Zo Sher (@zoesherphotography) for www.BlurredCulture.com.

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