Kentish Fire

Kentish Fire

Kentish Fire are a UK group from London, with a base in Camden, active from 2010. Their music sits in electronic rock, indie pop, indie rock and indietronica, and they are also described as an indie disco band with guitar- and synth-led songs.

Line-up and background

The group consists of Warren Gebhardt, Michael Inkpen, Andrew Louis and Anna Jackson. Michael Inkpen is the lead singer and guitarist, Andrew Louis plays guitar, Warren Gebhardt plays synth, and Anna Jackson sings and plays bass. The band begins as a studio project for Warren Gebhardt and Andrew Louis, who move from South Africa to London in 2002. Before Kentish Fire, they perform as part of the carnival-style world music group THC, which plays major Southern African festivals including Womad and Solipse Festival and shares stages with acts such as The Orb, Zion Train and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Formation

In 2009, Gebhardt and Louis meet Michael Inkpen, whose previous live experience and distinctive vocal style shape the project further. Anna Jackson joins several months later; she is a bassist, singer-songwriter and former promoter for the London night 1001 Acoustic Nights. This line-up then starts gigging in 2010. The group also works with several drummers and performs with Italian percussionist Andrea Turco.

Sound and influences

Kentish Fire draw on a broad set of influences including Bloc Party, The Pixies, The B-52s, AC/DC and Moloko. Their sound combines staccato synth lines, distorted guitar riffs, disco-influenced bass parts and the contrast between Inkpen’s angular vocals and Jackson’s softer melodies. Their style is sometimes compared with LCD Soundsystem, Franz Ferdinand and The Klaxons. They are also described as using falsetto vocals, funk-influenced bass and post-punk guitars.

Performances and reception

The group plays live at venues including Brixton Jamm, Camden Barfly, The Borderline, The Lexington, Madame Jojo’s and The Hoxton Underbelly. They support a Hot Chip DJ set at Brixton Jamm and headline Saturday nights at the Camden Barfly. Their stage presentation uses Kentish Fire-branded flags and a pseudo-military look, and their shows are described as energetic and theatrical. The Camden Barfly says their performance is tight and infectious, while Time Out notes their mix of falsetto vocals, funk bass lines and post-punk guitars.

Releases

In 2011, Kentish Fire release the single So Unpredictable through major digital stores, with a promotional video on YouTube. The track receives positive coverage from online music publications, including praise for its bass line, boy/girl harmonies and catchy indie-pop feel.