The Paper Kites express their deepest intimacy and restorative qualities in “When the Lavender Blooms,” a gentle, slow-burning reminder to stop, breathe, and embrace the positive aspects of life. With their seventh album ‘If You Go There, I Hope You Find It’ set to release in January, guitarist David Powys discusses this quietly transformative period in their journey – one influenced by family life, long-lasting friendships, and a reconnection to the communal spaces where their music first gained significance.
There’s an elemental warmth created by The Paper Kites – a soothing glow, a familiar resonance, akin to a gentle hand resting on one's shoulder. “When the Lavender Blooms,” the initial preview from the Australian band’s upcoming seventh album If You Go There, I Hope You Find It (releasing January 23 via Nettwerk), serves as a reminder of their cherished status and the enduring nature of their songs, which have provided a soundtrack to road trips, late-night drives, heartaches, and pivotal quiet moments for over fifteen years. It’s comforting and cathartic, intimate and welcoming, crafted from the same essence that made albums like States, twelvefour, Roses, and At the Roadhouse so beloved. Yet, this piece offers something even more profound – a grounded simplicity, a reflective tenderness – signifying the band’s return to their true selves.
I keep running
From the good things
That I’m giving
Trying
To do better
And letting
The good things in
I wanna kick my heels out again
Down a road to something true
Find some good living
When the lavender blooms
If You Go There, I Hope You Find It – The Paper Kites
Recorded at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne and mixed by Jon Low, “When the Lavender Blooms” flows with a gentle, driving warmth. It embodies indie folk in its purest, most comforting form – rich guitars, delicate harmonies, and that unmistakable ease of The Paper Kites, carrying a subtle weight that never overwhelms. The song is both tender and contemplative, yet filled with hope—its melody rolling forward like a long exhale after a prolonged breath-hold. Amidst the warmth, Sam Bentley sings, “I wanna kick my heels out again… find some good living when the lavender blooms,” which resonates like a mantra for those seeking light after enduring a period of darkness.
The band describes this new phase as a “creative homecoming.” After extensive touring and settling into family life in Melbourne—school drop-offs, renovations, holidays, and everyday routines—the five members (Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, Josh Bentley, David Powys, and Sam Rasmussen) found themselves collaborating in writing again, reminiscent of their time during States. “This album reflects a creative homecoming,” David Powys shares. “Just the five of us again doing what we love together and exploring the next chapter of this band’s story.” “When the Lavender Blooms” is rooted in that stability, that closeness, that shared experience. It speaks of gratitude, of cherishing small moments, and of recognizing the good things while opening up to them.
“This was one of the first songs completed for the album,” he explains, “and for us, it captures the essence of the album. It reflects thankfulness for the good things – a narrative that encourages stopping to smell the roses.” That intention permeates every line of the track. There’s a meditative patience to the arrangement, allowing space for Bentley’s voice as he sings, “I know I keep running from the good life I was given… I’m gonna try some good living.” It is soft yet powerful, a subtle declaration of hope from a band that has dedicated its career to acknowledging the emotional weight of everyday life.
The Paper Kites’ gift has always been their ability to envelop honesty in gentleness, providing space for stillness without sacrificing momentum. Their music has accompanied countless road trips, weddings, heartbreaks, late-night drives, and moments where words fall short. “I can sense the trust and friendship we’ve cultivated together as a band and with our fans over 15 years,” Powys reflects. “We hope our long-time listeners can feel that connection in the music.”
“When the Lavender Blooms” encapsulates that connection with remarkable clarity. It offers nostalgia without delving into the past, comfort without retreating inward—a song that supports you while encouraging forward movement. It evokes the feeling of stepping into sunlight after rain, re-establishing one's footing, and a reminder that joy is permissible even amidst life's burdens. As the chorus unfolds with the poignant vow—“I’m gonna try some good living”—it becomes a small act of healing, an invitation to breathe more deeply and gravitate toward the things that make life worthwhile.
Since its release, “When the Lavender Blooms” has gradually revealed itself as the gateway into If You Go There, I Hope You Find It—a record influenced by
The Paper Kites reach a level of intimacy and healing with “When the Lavender Blooms,” a gentle, slow-building reminder to take a moment, inhale, and welcome positivity. With their seventh album ‘If You Go There, I Hope You Find It’ set for release in January, guitarist David Powys shares insights about this quietly transformative phase in their journey—one influenced by family, enduring friendships, and a return to the shared, lived environments where their music initially gained significance.
