The Nostalgic Intonation of Sounds of Kites

Updated: Feb 20, 2019

Written by Amal Murni

Photo courtesy of Azrai Paharodzi (@azraipaharodzi)

Sounds of Kites is the stage name used by Wan Umar Shahid who is a Malaysian folk singer-songwriter, musician and composer deriving from Malaysia and is an avid listener to experimental music, folk and post-rock. Sounds of Kites is his concoction of sound ideas coexisting in an effort to craft the imageries he visualises.

The Malaysian folk singer-songwriter released his first single “Cracks” on August 17th 2018 and his second single “Bulatan Belon” (the circle of a balloon) on August 31st 2018, which was listed as number 4 in the Top 20 Best Malaysian Songs of 2018 (Daily Seni, 2018). Sounds of Kites then launched “Remember Sycamore” in the following month, which until now exudes the simplicity and vulnerability on how alluring the mere combinations of just a guitar, vocals and brilliant storytelling in singing-songwriting can be. Sounds of Kites exudes similar haunting ambience as Johnny Cash and his many inspirations in the likes of Ben Howard, Richard Hawley, The Tallest Man on Earth, Natalia Lafourcade, Sigur Ros and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Photo courtesy of Luqman Azizi (@transhallow)

Sounds of Kites has been actively performing in the music scene around Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pulau Pinang and London since 2015. He graced the stages with the sounds of nostalgia at Merdekarya, The Gaslight KL, Urbanscapes 2017, Earth Hour KL 2018, Minut Init Galeria, Grind 22, The Bee, The Canteen at China House Penang and King William IV London.

“The Dancer” by Sounds of Kites at The Gaslight KL