Head Like a Kite

HEAD LIKE A KITE is Dave Einmo, joined live by drummer Trent Moorman, and in the studio by a revolving cast of musical friends. Marrying a love of progressive electronic production and instrumental wizardry with a spot-on knack for pop-songcraft, Head Like A Kite debuted in 2006 with the Pattern 25 release, Random Portraits of the Home Movie, a universally praised album built around samples from family Super-8 home movies from the 70s. The success of the album led to tours of the US and Japan (with projector in tow) and an appearance on MTV2's "On The Rise." (See reviews from London Times, URB, Remix, LA Weekly, Magnet, Alternatiave Press, etc. below.) Head Like A Kite continues to climb with a move to LA-based electronic label Mush for the summer 2008 release, There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere, an album that builds on HLAK's found sound meets electronic rock framework with unquestionable expertise. The result seamlessly ties epic pop overtones to sunny bliptronic beats, sounding like an indie band remixed by Entroducing era DJ Shadow and LCD Soundsystem.

Joined by members of The Long Winters, Radio 4, Crooked Fingers, Smoosh, Animals at Night and others, Head Like a Kite's There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere, takes listeners on an aural road trip, mixing propelling hip hop drum beats with electronic Krautrock and indie pop peppered with field recordings captured while HLAK toured the United States. The result is a lush, party soundtrack that fast forwards to the future, taking us on a memorable sonic trip around the country.

Produced by Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Secret Machines, The Grates, Iron & Wine) and mastered by Dave Cooley (Danger Mouse, Madlib, Prefuse 73, Silversun Pickups, Polyphonic Spree).

REVIEWS
Click on the magazine names below to see the review. The following are North American reviews. Also see what the European magazines are saying.

ALTERNATIVE PRESS
5 out of 5. "Gorgeous pop melodies with electronica bleeps."

REMIX
"Random Portraits is a beautiful pop album that pays personalhomage to the past but has one eye on the future."

MAGNET
"Sonic Youth guitar treatments upon Stereolab keyboards on top of Primal Scream-style vocal loops....a well-edited scrapbook of retro-futurism."

THE STRANGER (preview)
"Infectious songs filigreed with the sort of vintage synth frippery that gives Tape Op readers sweaty palms."

THE STRANGER(August Feature)
"Entirely enjoyable and creatively invigorating. Expands the boundaries of pop."

URB
4.5 stars. "Samples of lush soundscape playback with a mellow Dandy Warhols vocal. Start to finish, it's a full soundtrack worth watching (listening to.)"

SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN (Pick of the Week)
"Think Pinback's melodic tonalities with guitar treatments by Brian Eno. HLAK's live shows are an aural-erotic experience."

NEW YORK POST
"Intriguing... groovy pop album."

AMERICAN SONGWRITER
"Mixing tons of sampling and bits of electronica with alternative rock in the vein of The Pixies and Morphine, Random Portraits comes out sounding like a sane man's Nine Inch Nails."

ALL MUSIC GUIDE
"This is one of those rare albums that is both immediately accessible and strangely thought-provoking at the same time. Highly recommended."

PERFORMER
"This album is an eclectic masterstroke, soothing and infectious all at once."

EAST BAY EXPRESS
"Pure pop majesty... this collage of retro memories, wispy Dinosaur Jr. hooks, and indie electropop works without a hitch."

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
"Excellent debut... Fans should find much love in the band's jerky and often sinister sounds." Featured in Top 10 Bands to Watch in 2006

LOS ANGELES TIMES
Buzz Bands - "A sonic tapestry."

LONDON TIMES
"Great debut album."

BEAUTIFUL DECAY
"This album is an experience to enjoy."

THE TRIPWIRE
"A brilliant compilation of atmospheric samples that pays tribute to the past within the context of the present... An innovative piece, framing scrapbook memories of childhood into a musical re-emergence."

CHORD
"The music is spectacular, fusing some of the more addictive guitar chord banter in the business. Your mind will be dwelling on this album for days after."

PLAYBACK:stl
"Wholly enthralling. A candystore of aural treats that dizzle and fizzle like Pop Rocks for the ears."

REDEFINE
"He's the kid who got it right... Driving ambient electronica which was made to be listened to in fast cars."

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
"Attention-grabbing drum beats and odd, yet likeable melodies. It's a trip-hop record that achieves its out-of-the-ordinary feel by incorporating unique and enjoyable instrumentation such as the mellotron and koto."

THE OREGONIAN
"A catchy electronic pop album."

NEW HAVEN ADVOCATE (April)
"Catchy, smart... Sounds like they made a contempo indie rock album and gave it to a good DJ to do surgery on it."

SYNTHESIS
"Electronically atmospheric photo album. An expansive gallery of commun