This Is The Kit: The Intricate Folk of Kate Stables

This Is The Kit is the musical project led by English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kate Stables, crafting a distinct blend of intricate folk, indie rock, and subtle experimental textures. Hailing from Winchester but deeply connected to the Bristol and Paris music scenes, the project achieved a significant career milestone with their 2017 album Moonshine Freeze, which debuted to critical acclaim and charted on the UK Independent Album Breakers Chart.

Early career

Kate Stables began performing under the name This Is The Kit in the mid-2000s, initially as a solo act armed with a banjo and a captivatingly hushed vocal style. Her debut album, Krulle Bol, was released in 2008 on the Dutch label Try Tone, followed by 2010's Wriggle Out the Restless, which began to attract attention for its detailed storytelling and unique sonic palette.

Breakthrough

The project's breakthrough arrived with the 2015 album Bashed Out, produced by The National's Aaron Dessner and released on his Brassland label. This collaboration brought Stables' music to a much wider audience, with the album's sophisticated arrangements and sharp songwriting earning widespread praise from publications like Pitchfork and The Guardian, solidifying her reputation as a formidable talent in contemporary folk.

Key tracks

Bashed Out — The title track from the Dessner-produced album showcases Stables' hypnotic banjo patterns and layered vocal harmonies.

Moonshine Freeze — This rhythmic, lyrically dense single became a live favorite and the centerpiece of her most successful album to date.

Bullet Proof — A standout from the 2020 album Off Off On, it exemplifies her ability to weave complex personal narratives into compelling, groove-driven folk.

Silver John — An earlier track that highlights her knack for traditional folk structures infused with a modern, minimalist energy.

Following this rise in profile, Stables signed with the iconic indie label Rough Trade Records and released Moonshine Freeze in 2017, which was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. The 2020 album Off Off On continued this creative momentum, exploring more electric and percussive territories while maintaining her lyrical precision. Throughout her career, Stables has collaborated with artists like The National, Tunng, and Rozi Plain, who is also a consistent member of her touring band.

Fans of the detailed, narrative-driven folk of Rozi Plain will appreciate the shared melodic intricacy and Bristol scene connection. The textured, atmospheric songcraft of Adrianne Lenker parallels Stables' focus on lyrical depth and acoustic innovation. Listeners drawn to the collaborative spirit and indie-folk evolution of Big Thief will find a kindred artistic curiosity in This Is The Kit's work.

The music of This Is The Kit has become a staple on independent music radio stations and online rock radio streams that champion thoughtful, artist-driven songwriting. Its blend of traditional folk instrumentation and modern indie sensibility resonates strongly with audiences seeking substance and melody.

You can hear the compelling music of This Is The Kit featured across various radio stations available on onairium.com, where listeners can discover her growing catalog of acclaimed albums and captivating live performances.