Tiffany Laue
A local acoustic-folk group frequently seen playing at live music shows around town, Kestrels and Kites consists of lead singer Tiffany Laue on guitar and bass; guitarist and xylophonist Luke Chow (both of whom are of indie post-rock outfit Hungry Ghosts fame); and Freddy Gunn playing the cajón, a Peruvian percussion instrument. Ahead of the band’s performance at Guinness Sessions Presents HK Live!, Laue chats to Lindsay Varty about the band, their influences and her irrepressible nerves.
HK Magazine: Can you tell us about the formation of the band?
Tiffany Laue: I started another band called Jade & Stagger Swallows in 2008, so that was when my songs started to come into being. I was playing bass in other bands, too. We have had a few changes of band members over time, and we’re now called Kestrels and Kites. [The current members] have been together since 2010.
HK: How did you find each other?
TL: The music scene here is really nice and quite small, which means you get to know everybody pretty quickly. I loved Freddy’s energy from day one. He’s this crazy Swede—and we love him—so I thought it would be great to have him on board. He really lifts the vibe, while Luke is much more serious.
HK: What are some of your musical influences?
TL: Personally, I’ve always loved female singer-songwriters. I love No Doubt, The Cults, The Joy Formidable, The Naked and Famous or any bands that incorporate girl musicians. I also love Bombay Bicycle Club and Broken Social Scene. I’d say our band aspires to sound a bit like [Welsh alt-rockers] The Joy Formidable; however our sound is a bit simpler and less complicated.
HK: Who writes your lyrics and where does the inspiration come from?
TL: So far, I’ve been writing the lyrics, but recently we’ve been working together on some stuff, too. I’d say our material comes from everyday life. I’ve been writing poems since I was about 16 to make complicated thoughts simpler to understand, and my songs have pretty much come from there. [The lyrics used to be] a way to understand those thoughts, but these days my songs are about more fun things—most of our songs are pretty happy.
HK: What has been your favorite performance to date?
TL: It always involves Freddy. He’s a bit of a loose cannon; he will sometimes go into the audience and get people jumping around, which is always good. We have had a couple of really fun ones such as Bands for Bears at the Hard Rock Café. I love doing gigs for charity and for a good cause, as it makes you feel good. We always have fun performing, but it feels the best when we’re at our most comfortable and can have fun with it.
HK: Are you ever nervous before you perform?
TL: Yes! We have performed so many times now, but I still get nervous and feel like I’m going to puke before every show. Luke and Freddy are always fine, but I just can’t shake it. I love it though.