Biography

Born out of the marriage of two songwriters, The Midnight Kites were formed when Jill and Bruce McDougall combined their creative energies.  Jill (vocals, guitar) brings pop melodies and catchy chord structures, Bruce (guitar, backing vocals) adds ambient textures and complex sonic color.  They are joined by Jill’s brother Connor DeFehr on bass.  Together they create a thrilling musical mix, combining pop sensibilities similar to those of The Shins with the emotional power of groups like My Bloody Valentine and Sigur Ros, all carried by breathy female vocals reminiscent of The Cowboy Junkies.

The band’s songwriting is filled with imagery, and the songs are often characterized by surreal and dreamlike passages that capture life’s complexities in new and unique ways.  Both Jill and Bruce write songs about personal growth, challenges, life’s imperfections and it’s beauty, loneliness, relationships and, of course, love - after all, they are married!

In the summer of 2009 The Midnight Kites recorded their debut full-length album, “The Color of Light” at Notably Fine Audio in Denver.  The album was produced by renowned pedal-steel guitarist Sally Van Meter, and features Jen Gilleran on drums, Philip Parker on Cello, and Eric Moon on piano and keyboards.  Named for their song “The Color of Light,” the album is an exploration of shared human experience.  Its a dramatic and diverse album with a equal importance given to the sounds and to the spaces in between.  The notes, the songs and the album itself are given space to breathe, which allows Jill’s subtle, soothing voice to draw the listener in.  The album opens with the passionate pop anthem Green Eyes, and proceeds through an ambient indie-rock exploration of love and loneliness, personal growth, injustice, and mortality, and finally closes with Swimming Naked, a joyous reminder that above all else, life can and should be a wonderful ride.

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