Kids That Fly Drop Irresistible New Single ‘If You Wanna (Take Me Home)’ Ahead of Upcoming EP

ALTERNATIVE POP/ROCK BAND 
KIDS THAT FLY
RELEASE NEW SINGLE
“IF YOU WANNA (TAKE ME HOME)”

FROM FORTHCOMING EP
DEAD BEAT CITY
DUE OUT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Above: “If You Wanna (Take Me Home)” single artwork

“...polished, powerfully fun pop-rock.”
— Music Connection Magazine

NASHVILLE, TN (September 27, 2024) — Today, alternative pop/rock band Kids That Fly deliver the third single “If You Wanna (Take Me Home)” from their forthcoming EP, Dead Beat City, (due out Friday, November 8). The latest track pulses with lively drums and shimmering keyboard hooks, capturing the rush of that first date drive home. 

Fueled by the infectious beats and electrifying synthesizers of ‘80s synth-pop, the EP delivers anthems tailor-made for movement. “It’s the ideal soundtrack for a nighttime drive circa 1984 Miami,” says vocalist Nick Smeriglio.

STREAM “IF YOU WANNA (TAKE ME HOME)” HERE.

With most of the band members having grown up in Connecticut, Nick Smeriglio (vocals/guitar), Blake Henry (guitar/synth), Braden Frandino (bass/vocals), and Will Hetherington (drums) have been deeply influenced by local musicians such as Rivers Cuomo from Weezer and MGMT. Their varied musical tastes, spanning bands like The Black Keys, The 1975, The Killers, and Catfish and the Bottlemen, have rooted them in an alternative pop/rock sound.

Their 2019 single “Kiss Her You Fool” has amassed over 33.6M streams on Spotify alone, solidifying their presence in the alt pop/rock scene. They’ve garnered praise from various outlets, including Atwood Magazine, which described their 2022 track “Talk of the Town” as “a captivating indie rock anthem that roars with charismatic charm, irresistible melodies, and an unnervingly catchy, driving beat.” Music Connection Magazine lauded them as “polished, powerfully fun pop-rock,” while The Aquarian noted that “even only a handful of years into the career, is a band already known for having fervent spirit, making up their rock energy, and a pure sort of romanticism lacing their narrative,” among others. 

The lead single of Dead Beat City, “Feel it Love” (released February 9, 2024), “Little Bit of Time” (released June 26, 2024), along with the other tracks on the EP are all influenced by ‘80s alternative music, aiming to bridge the gap between ‘80s styles and modern alternative pop/rock sounds. “It blends styles ranging from ‘80s synth pop to ‘80s hair-band rock, with a touch of modern garage rock like The Strokes,” shares Nick. “Our aim was to craft a nostalgic yet fresh sound by fusing elements of ‘80s rock/pop with modern alternative music.”

With bittersweet emotions woven into the music, the inspiration for the EP title stems from Nick and Braden’s adjustment to living in the industrial pocket of Williamsburg/Bushwick Brooklyn. “It encapsulates our mixed feelings about the city,” explains Nick. “The city has changed a lot since the pandemic; many locals left and never returned. But not all feelings are negative — recording and gigging here is always a blast. NYC’s energy is hard to match.”

Above: Kids That Fly (in green) with horn players (in blue)
Credit: Patrick Capriglione

After their 2022 EP, Tracks of the High Line, the band consistently pushes musical boundaries and delights in experimenting with their sound. “We worked with several different producers during the ‘Dead Beat City’ recording process, rather than sticking to our usual single-producer approach,” says bassist Braden. “We also did much of the recording ourselves. This project saw a lot of instrument swapping, with different members playing guitar or bass on various tracks — Nick even played drums on one of the songs, which was a first!” 

From the start, the band has placed a strong emphasis on their fans, emphasizing the significance of live music. This commitment is now more apparent than ever with their latest additions to their live set, which feature horn players Dan Fagan (trumpet), Austin Frandino (trumpet), Matt Schmidt (saxophone), and Rishi Nallur (trombone). This expansion is a clear sign that Kids That Fly are not slowing down; they will keep evolving and exploring new musical avenues. With their catchy alt-pop/rock melodies and dynamic, intimate performances, Kids That Fly continue to prove they are a rising act worth following.

For Kids That Fly upcoming show dates, visit here.

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