This Is The Kit

Absolutely gorgeous, like an aural bath with the warm water lapping over you” Cerys Matthews, BBC 6music

This Is The Kit is the much beloved musical project of Kate Stables, born in England and based in Paris, though the heart of their musical community remains in Bristol, UK. Kate sings, plays guitar, banjo, trumpet and percussion, while a cast of carefully hand-plucked friends deliver guitar strums, banjo plucks, hushed horns and electronic textures that sit beneath Stables’ easy, earnest lilt. Her long time collaborator and regular live companion Jesse Vernon produced the album and contributes guitars, percussion, violin and percussion. 

While on tour, This is the Kit is a shape shifting entity ranging from a female duo with friend Rozi Plain to a psychedelia tinged ve electric ve-piece. Aaron Dessner (The National) is working with the band to produce the follow-up album to 'Wriggle Out the Restless', now being reissued by Aaron’s label Brassland.

“The aim is to have fun playing with people whose work I really like,” says Kate in her simple and direct fashion.

“The more you exchange and share with people the better things get and the more you learn.” This is the Kit has or will be opening for artists such as Jose Gonzales, Jerey Lewis, The National, Alexi Murdoch, Iron & Wine and Jolie Holland, and was recently selected by Sharon Van Etten as her “Favorite New Aritst” in an interview with Pitchfork.

Quotes and Blurb...

“Just one of the best things I’ve heard all year, the rest of the LP’s pretty good too….wonderful wonderful stu” Guy Garvey, BBC 6 Music

“This Is The Kit should be knighted for the fact that they create a wonderful atmosphere with one singer an acoustic guitar and percussion only” altsounds.com (don’t know if they listened to the whole record though!)

‘You thought you didn’t like the banjo but you were wrong pal. Kate Stables rips forward with a hypnotic twang pattern and a voice of rare unaected beauty.Accompanied by a backing-band of minimal psychedelia, This is the Kit will transport you to a warm bath in the middle of a forest.’ Neil Smith, The Liftmen.

IF IT WAS A CAKE: it would be a fully wholemeal and organic savoury aair which nonetheless satisfy’s all craving for trashy treats.

IF IT WAS A CAR: it would be a pre-WW2 amphibious vehical with the engine taken out and replaced by pedals, oars and a sail.