In today’s fast-paced mid-apocalyptic world it can feel like a waste of time to speak about time at all. Why dwell on the past when we could just live in the present because the future won’t shut up about how bad it’s going to be?
But with This Is The Kit, the pseudonym of songwriter / banjo strummer / pinhole camera lover / Winchester UK born Paris dweller Kate Stables, we’re going to have to give time just a modicum of consideration. Because not only is Kate still here and making albums of cataclysmic honesty and welcoming tonal embraces, they are continuing to grow, which is probably the only smart way to move forward through time.
This Is The Kit’s music places companionship at a premium, so being welcomed into its space feels like an obvious privilege, on record and in concert hall with her stellar supporting cast of Rozi Plain (bass), Jamie Whitby-Coles (drums) and Neil Smith (guitar). And at this current point in our confusing history, continuing to be here at all, to stand tall and make music to gather to, that’s a heroic act. Joyful survival as an act of time-wasting, I’ll take that any day of the week. Look to This Is The Kit to spend at least one day of your week this year, I guarantee it will be time well wasted
This Is the Kit, the Paris-based project led by British-born singer/songwriter Kate Stables, is releasing a new album, “Ghost Coat”, on January 15th via Memphis Industries. This week they shared the album’s second single, “Safety Valve,” as well as a live performance video for the song. The song features Richard Dawson.
Staples had this to say about “Safety Valve” in a press release: “This is a song dedicated to friends who come to your rescue. A helping hand. Someone who listens and doesn’t judge. And getting out on your bike and feeling better. Speaking of kind, non-judgemental people, I had been dreaming of asking Richard Dawson to sing on the new record and somehow managed to pluck up the courage to ask him to sing on this track. He graciously accepted the challenge and it immediately turned it into one of my favorite songs on the album. Absolute legend. Finest pipes in the business.”
Previously This Is the Kit shared the album’s first single, “Skim a Stone,” via a music video.
The album features Staples’ regular backing band: Rozi Plain (bass, keys), Neil Smith (guitar), Jamie Whitby-Coles (drums, keys), and Jesse D. Vernon (guitar, keys). Various guest musicians also contributed to “Ghost Coat2, including Richard Dawson, Sam Amidon, Ben Howard, guitarist brothers Valentin and Marceau Portron (of Portron Portron Lopez), and Emma Broughton (aka Blumi). The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios (where The Stone Roses, Motörhead, Oasis, Queen, and many others have all recorded).
Staples says “Ghost Coat” is both “very much obviously an album that I’ve made” and also “very different” from her other albums.
Staples grew up in Winchester, UK (home to a famous cathedral), but has lived in Paris for two decades. Themes of coming home influenced the album and its title track. “Living in a cathedral city growing up, the building has got magic powers: some dark and scary, and some relating to community,” she explains. “I was interested in exploring our relationship with home. Where home is, or was, where we come from, where we’re going. Sometimes it’s just where you put your bag down, especially for someone who travels a lot. Maybe it’s less to do with a place, and more who you’re with—people that make you feel like you’re at home.”
“Ghost Coat” follows 2023’s “Careful of Your Keepers” (produced by Gruff Rhys), 2020’s “Off Off On”, and 2017’s breakthrough record, Moonshine Freeze, all released by Rough Trade. Staples also had a stint performing with The National and sang guest vocals on their 2019 album “I Am Easy to Find”.
