The Paper Kites are a folk-rock/indie-folk five-piece band from Melbourne, Australia, formed in 2009/2010. Members are Sam Bentley (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Christina Lacy (vocals, guitar, keyboards), David (“Dave”) Powys (guitar, banjo, lap steel, backing vocals), Sam Rasmussen (bass, synths), and Josh Bentley (drums, percussion).
Discography & Style Evolution
- They began with EPs (Woodland, Young North) and built a following through gentle acoustic folk pieces.
- Their full-length studio albums include States (2013), twelvefour (2015), On the Train Ride Home (2018), On the Corner Where You Live (2018), Roses (2021), and more recently At the Roadhouse (released 1 September 2023).
- Over time, their sound has grown from delicate folk roots towards more layered arrangements, including collaborations, richer instrumentals, and duets. Roses in particular is notable for featuring many guest vocalists from around the world.
Key Achievements & Certifications
- Their signature single “Bloom” (from the Woodland EP) has been certified platinum in multiple countries: the US, Canada, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
- As of recent years, their catalogue has passed over 1 billion streams globally.
- Spotify monthly listener numbers have grown significantly: some reports citearound 6.5 million monthly listeners, and other sources push toward or over 8 million. Ticketmaster Australia +1
Awards, Nominations & Recognition
- They have been nominated for ARIA Awards multiple times. For example, On The Corner Where You Live was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album (2019), and At The Roadhouse was nominated for Best Blues & Roots Album (2024).
- They’ve also been featured in Triple J’s “Feature Album” and other Australian music media for their work.
Touring & Global Presence
- They have extensively toured across North America, Europe, the UK, Australia, and more recently Asia (India, Thailand, and the Philippines) in 2025.
- Their live shows regularly sell out in many cities around the world.
Recent & Upcoming Projects
- Their 2023 album At the Roadhouse marks their most recent major release.
- New material has been teased; for example, the single “The Sweet Sound Of You” followed a sold-out UK & Ireland tour.
- Tours in 2025 include shows in India, Thailand, and the Philippines, showing the band expanding into new markets.
