Kites

Album liner notes

Kites was released in October 2009

By Michael Clarke, Mark Olszewski, Michael Owen and Gordon Clarke.

Produced by Kinematic and Michael Stifter.
Music and lyrics by Owen/Clarke.
Arrangements by Kinematic.
Engineered by Kinematic and Kevin Ross.
Recorded at Biscuit Boy, Whiskey & Rye and Sunshine Harvester (March-September 2008).
Mixed by Michael Stifter.
Mastered by Lachlan Carrick at Moose Mastering (with thanks to RRR and Moose).

Kinematic performed drums, percussion, loops, programming, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica, ebow, zheng, trumpet, saxophone, korg, rhodes, piano, vocals and Tibetan singing bowl.

Kinematic’s guests were Brian Clarke (alto saxophone & trombone on 5 O'Clock High), Ian Clarke (congas & percussion on Xrays & Traffic), Jimi Hocking (guitar solo on Beat Poetry), Brooke Owen (backing vocals on Pretty Ugly), Janey Bagley, Deanna Constantine & Kellie Constantine (choir on Winter Son), Dave Paxton (clarinet solo on 5 O'Clock High), Michael Stifter (flight service on Xrays & Traffic) and Coco, Fin, Geraldine & Kellie (school chants & hand claps).

Our thanks yet again to Kevin Ross and Michael Stifter for making it three from three, Jimi Hocking for patience, biscuits and old guitars, Pete Joison for inspiring artwork, Gavin Mandrelle for kites and concepts, Anthony L. Barrett for crazy FX pedals, our guest musicians for their time and talent, Geraldine Clarke for managing our chaos and our families for everything.

Melbourne streetscapes by Pete Joison.
Photography by Michael Clarke, Mark Olszewski and Chris Sommer.
Extra graphics and finished art by Gordon Clarke.

For the memory of Brian Clarke. Love you Dad, thanks for all the tracks. Xrays & Traffic is for Frederick Valentich, missing since 1978.

Already Here LYRICS

Already Here 3.17

You say you are a child, adrift on a dangerous sea
I know the way you feel, I’m already here

You cannot know how far, nor which way you’ll fall
And through these lines, you’ll see
I’m already, I’m already here

And if you are resigned, in for a nervous wait
There’s always time to see, I’m already here

Whirlwind LYRICS

Whirlwind 3.30

A headline of eight short words convicts me
They’re pulling the world from underneath me
Face the wall, don’t break at the knees, don’t fall

I’ve got to go, I won’t go so easy
I may be low but I’m not beaten til I see
Where are we, and where we will be
You cannot follow me, trace my patterns
Running back over all that’s happened til I see
Where are we, and where we will be

Screening my calls to keep them guessing
The horror of all that they’re suggesting
Face the crowd, baying for blood, so loud

I’ve got to go, I won’t go so easy
I may be low but I’m not beaten til I see
Where are we, and where we will be
Media tries my reputation
Peddles it to a howling nation, will we see
Where are we, and where it leaves me

I’ve got to go, but I’m not going easy ...

Dedicated to Richard Jewell

5 O'Clock High LYRICS

5 O'Clock High 2.47

As you wander out, people on the street
All around you hear, the shuffling of feet
I’ve been clockin’ in, I’ve been clockin’ out
And I’m counting steps, from the station to your house

Take you out tonight, you said you would try
There’s a little place, I know you will like
There is nothin’ the world cannot see
And there’s nowhere that I’d rather be

Everywhere I go, people that I meet
Look the same as me, they’re walking in their sleep
Every Friday night, we give it all away
Just a simple life, we work away the days

Have you seen the film that’s on at the Val?
I still call it that, it’s better there now
There is nothin’ the world cannot see
And there’s nowhere that I’d rather be
So come out tonight ...

There is nothin’ the world cannot see
There is nowhere that I’d rather be
So come out tonight ...

And now the end is in sight
No need to shut your eyes tight
A cab is idling outside, to take us into the night
To take us into the night ... that’s right

Dedicated to Brian N.R. Clarke

Jefferson High LYRICS & VIDEO

Jefferson High 2.30

I don’t belong here, ain’t running with The Falcons
I don’t fit in here, ain’t cooling with The Demons
The beat is going all ‘round my head
All 'round my head, and it’s all ‘round my head

I love the music, play a three fifty five
They say forget it, it’s just a waste of time
I’m escaping, are you coming too
Are you coming too, are you coming too

All my friends are coming over, got a gig next week at the Tote
All my friends are skeletons, play til 3 am, don’t bother me

The people like it, they’re all singing along
I know I’m Potsie, I feel like I'm the Fonz
That’s how I know it’s, all in my head
All in my head, man, it’s all in my head

All my friends are coming over, got a gig next week at the Tote
All my friends are skeletons, play til 3 am, don’t bother me

All my friends are coming over, barbecue, beer and pavlova
All my friends are aliens, play til 3 am, don’t bother me

“J - e - f - f - e - r - s - o - n - High - for - me”

One step ahead of the kids on the pavement
Rock an’ roll’s not a show, it’s a statement
Work your way to the top of the fan club
And you’ll be with the band in a hot tub
You’re ahead of the kids on the home team
Never have, never will be a has been
How do you really know if you’re OK?
How do you really know if you’re OK?

Video by Kinematic

Peyote LYRICS

Peyote 3.03

I’m asleep at the wheel and there’s a curve in the highway
Yet we tear through the night like a peyote migraine
How much further is it, aching, so exquisite
I hope we can stop in time

Now you don’t want to dance, 'cause we’re looking right through you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, and the clothes that you wear, we don’t mean to stare

Now the sky is on fire and the desert is freezing
Wonder how I’m alive, hen I’m not even breathing
How much further is it, aching, so exquisite
I hope we can stop in time

Now you don’t want to dance, 'cause we’re looking right through you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, and the clothes that you wear, we don’t mean to stare
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, but the people you know, they say what they want to
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, 'cause the truth of it is, we don’t really care

Pinpoints LYRICS

Pinpoints 3.05

All turn to me, thinking I know the way, lions and sheep, leading the cavalcade
Come see the band, strike up a chord, bleed for the man, falling upon his sword

There are ordinary people here, who say it’s coming soon
Pinpoints in the velvet, all I’m asking for is proof

Unbeknown to me, embracing an effigy, ring leader speaks, inducing a reverie
Poison my tea, burn my cigars/guitars, all falls to me, cover up all the stars

Now I batter this keyboard, in frustration as I write
Pinpoints in the velvet, all I’m asking for is light

All turn to me, all turn to me
All turn to me, thinking I know the way

Pretty, Ugly LYRICS

Pretty, Ugly 3.28

I’d like to stop and stay awhile, alone when I’m beside you
And though you think you know me now, you don’t need me to turn to

Hesitate, think again, the bells are ringing at St Paul’s at three a.m.
A clarion, a reckoning, and in the sorrow, you’re the laughter pouring in

And now the walls are closing in, I won’t see you again
I could never carry you that far, and if you’re out there looking in
Waiting to begin, I can’t even tell you who you are

Take the casket to the curb, a dimness that can blind you
Though you think you know the why, the how is what you turn to

Resonate, through the din, and in the clamour you’re the dropping of a pin
Cellophane, wearing thin, and in the neon, you’re the shadow creeping in

If this is madness, count me in, the class will now begin
I could never follow through that far, you’re pretty ugly when you fall
I hope you had it all, I would never tell you who you are

And now the walls are closing in, I won’t see you again
I can’t even tell you where you are

Weak & Splendid LYRICS

Weak & Splendid 4.12

Sigh, for the ones you’ve left behind, for they’re always on your mind
Here, all your thoughts are standing still, and you’ve searched all that you will

Love is a weak and splendid thing, love is a weak and splendid thing

Do you believe in me, too much but we can reach it
What if we keep our promises, what if we stay til no-one’s left

Know that I will be on your side, I am here til we collide
Though, in the quiet and the grey, you will somehow find a way

There is a loss, an emptiness, that cannot be filled by less than this

Do you believe in me, too much but we can reach it
Love is a weak and splendid thing, love is a weak and splendid thing
Do you believe in me, too much but we can always
Love is a weak and splendid thing, love is a weak and splendid thing

Do you believe in me, too much but we can reach it

Jika Jika LYRICS

Jika Jika 4.33

So, your great advice, took me to the brink, to be precise
But now I see, just where I stand, where I fit in

And I paid the price, as a matter of fact, I paid it twice
But now I see, just where I stand, where I fit in, just who I am

Go, leave me to drown
Don’t help me out, I can be something this time

Now, I’m on the mend, doesn’t matter that we are no longer friends
‘Cause now I see, just where I stand, where I fit in, just who I am

Go, leave me to drown
Don’t help me out, I can be something this ...
Time, before you judge me, find me guilty
Give me my one phone call

Mizuki LYRICS & VIDEO

Mizuki 2.45

There’s no use now of saying goodbye
Won’t turn my head, won’t even try

Ah, it’s better if I do not see you
Ah, you said it’s nothing, but I can’t believe you

I’m just checking in to see where I begin
Her star is rising and she knocked me over
No matter where I am, can’t do better than
Sunset in Japan

There’s no time like this, I’ve heard it before
Stand, you stare and you watch, I walk out your door

Ah, it’s better if I do not call you
Ah, you said it’s nothing, the small talk I see through

I’m just checking in to see where I begin
Her star is rising and she knocked me over
No matter where I am, no matter what I plan,
Sunset in Japan

She knocked me over ... and I’ve gotta leave you ...

I’m just checking in to see where I begin
Her star is rising and she knocked me over
Don’t matter where I am, like Tripitaka-san
Sunset in Japan
I’m just checking out, try to forget about
Her star is rising and she knocked me over
Don’t matter where I am, I’d do it again Sunset in Japan

Video by Kinematic

The Punters Club LYRICS

The Punters Club 3.27

And now you’re thinking into the quiet
I don’t know what you see
There is nothing here, so please
And then you’re talking and I am talking
We’ll never get to sleep, but I keep myself so keen

I wanna say, it’s OK, don’t you listen to me
No time for that, don’t need to read about me
I wanna say, it’s OK, don’t you listen to me
No time for that, don’t need a picture of me

And now you’re sinking under the covers
I don’t know what to play
If it’s worthless when it’s free
And now you’re listening to distant voices
Sound hollow through the wall and fainter down the hall

I wanna say, it’s OK, don’t you listen to me
No time for that, don’t need to read about me
I wanna say, it’s OK, don’t you listen to me
No time for that, don’t need a picture of me

It means so much for you to listen to me ...

Beat Poetry LYRICS

Beat Poetry 2.55

Been an age since the first time and I died when we met
I don’t mind hanging you out there to dry, you deserve what you get

I’ve got so much to choose from
Somewhere on the road there’s a new song
I’ve got a memory for a face, we say it doesn’t matter
'Cause beat poetry is style and grace

Where I’m going is the path travelled less
There’s a girl that I know by the bayside, says we’re heading out west

I’ve got so much to choose from
Somewhere on the road that we’re all on
I’ve got a memory for a face, we say it doesn’t matter
'Cause at least we’ve got our place

Xrays & Traffic LYRICS & VIDEO

Xrays & Traffic 5.03

Traffic is one way and you’re losing, don’t mind the x-ray or the bruising
Ceiling is off-white, like a canvas, wielding a brush like it is effortless

Is it wrong to want to be with you, breaking over me, the last wave
Can you read my mind, you settle me, taking over me your own way

As it happens now, it happens here, as I talk aloud, you disappear

Packet is too light, must be empty, palette is so bright, dust a memory
On reflection, close the window, on the beat I hear the echo

Is it wrong to want to be with you, breaking over me, the last wave
Can you read my mind, you settle me, taking over me your own way

It happens now, it happens here, as I talk aloud you disappear
I could stay out of your affair, but it’s happening, it’s everywhere

Is it wrong to want to be with you, breaking over me, the last wave
Can you read my mind, you settle me, taking over me your own way
But it happens now, it happens here, as I talk aloud, you disappear ...

Dedicated to Frederick Valentich, missing since 1978

Video by Laura Hamilton

Winter Son LYRICS

Winter Son 3.47

I met you in the evening, in the winter you slept
I held you from the coldness, I told you, I don’t want to let you down

Can you hear the world around you, the whispers and sounds
You woke on Sunday morning, I told you, I don’t want to let you down

Thoughts are left unspoken
Words are left not said
You know I am your armour, I told you
I don’t want to let you down ...

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