This Is The Kit Announces New Album Ghost Coat and Shares Single Safety Valve Alongside Extensive International Tour Dates

The acclaimed musical project This Is The Kit, led by singer-songwriter and Paris-based bandleader Kate Stables, has officially announced the upcoming release of its new studio album, Ghost Coat. Set to launch on January 15, 2027, via the independent record label Memphis Industries, the album arrives alongside the release of its lead single, Safety Valve. To support the new record, Stables and the band have outlined a comprehensive itinerary of international performances, spanning intimate solo in-store appearances across the United Kingdom as well as full-band concert dates across the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States through late 2026 and 2027.

The announcement of Ghost Coat brings a fresh chapter to a project known for its intricate folk arrangements, poignant lyricism, and distinct artistic collaborations. As the music industry anticipates the arrival of the full-length project in early 2027, listeners have been given an early glimpse into the album’s sonic landscape through Safety Valve. The track, which has been accompanied by a live performance video filmed at Bedford Esquires and directed by Lemon Thief—a collaborative moniker for Narna Hue and Tom Jacob—highlights the collaborative and organic ethos that defines the upcoming record.

The Thematic Core of Ghost Coat

Ghost Coat emerges from a period of reflection on contemporary societal challenges, touching upon themes that have become increasingly pressing in modern daily life. Stables has structured the album around concepts of human connection, isolation, chronic overconsumption, and a distinct sense of homesickness. Rather than treating these subjects as abstract or distant philosophical ideas, the songwriting grounds them in personal experiences and relational dynamics.

Central to the album’s conceptual framework is an interrogation of the modern relationship with the idea of "home." For an artist like Stables, whose career involves substantial international travel and transient living arrangements, the definition of home is inherently fluid. "I was interested in exploring our relationship with home," Stables explained, discussing the thematic genesis of the record. "Where home is, or was, where we come from, where we’re going. Sometimes it’s just where you put your bag down, especially for someone who travels a lot. Maybe it’s less to do with a place, and more who you’re with—people that make you feel like you’re at home."

This yearning for interpersonal stability and community is mirrored in the collaborative spirit of the recording sessions. Rather than relying solely on standard backing instrumentation, Stables actively integrated a diverse ensemble of respected contemporary musicians and vocalists into the fabric of the album. The roster of guest contributors features prominent indie and folk artists, including Richard Dawson, Sam Amidon, guitarist brothers Valentin and Marceau Portron of the French experimental rock group Portron Portron Lopez, and Emma Broughton, who performs under the moniker Blumi.

Stables emphasized the intentionality behind involving these specific artists, noting a desire to highlight their distinct vocal identities rather than relegating them to anonymous background harmony. "I was really keen to not only ask people to sing on the album, but to make sure that you can hear their individual voices," Stables stated. "When you hear the voice of someone that means a lot to you, it can destroy you in a good way or can make you feel amazing. It makes me happy hearing all the voices, especially because of the themes of friendship."

Safety Valve: A Musical Tribute to Support Systems

The lead single, Safety Valve, serves as a direct expression of the themes of solidarity and emotional support that anchor the wider album. According to Stables, the track functions as an ode to the individuals who offer steadfast support during times of crisis.

"This is a song dedicated to friends who come to your rescue, a helping hand, someone who listens and doesn’t judge," Stables said of the single. "And getting out on your bike and feeling better."

Musically, Safety Valve embodies the characteristic warmth and intricate acoustic textures that fans of This Is The Kit have come to expect. The accompanying live session video, captured at Bedford Esquires, showcases the raw, unpolished energy of the ensemble, stripping away excessive studio polish to highlight the interplay between Stables’ distinct vocal delivery and the collective instrumentation. The visual presentation aligns with the track’s narrative of grounding oneself through physical movement—such as cycling—and leaning on trusted companions.

Comprehensive Tour Itinerary and Live Performances

To celebrate the release of Ghost Coat, This Is The Kit has organized an extensive series of live performances, divided into an intimate solo in-store run and a comprehensive full-band international tour.

The promotional schedule begins well ahead of the album’s release date, with select performances scheduled throughout late 2026. This Is The Kit is set to perform at Les Créatives at Salle Grand-Salève in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 20, 2026, followed by an appearance at the Bluebird Festival in Vienna, Austria, on November 21, 2026. The 2026 live calendar concludes with a performance at the Duyster Festival at Cactus in Bruges, Belgium, on December 13, 2026.

Following the release of Ghost Coat on January 15, 2027, Kate Stables will embark on a rigorous solo in-store tour across independent record shops and alternative venues throughout the United Kingdom. This grassroots promotional run allows fans to purchase physical copies of the album, view intimate acoustic performances, and meet the artist in person.

Kate Stables Solo In-Store Tour Dates (2027):

• January 13: Margate – Vinyl Store Jr @ WhereElse (7:00 PM)
• January 14: Kingston – Banquet @ All Saints Church (7:00 PM)
• January 15: Southsea – Pie and Vinyl (1:00 PM)
• January 15: Brighton – Resident (6:00 PM)
• January 16: Letchworth – Davids (Lunchtime in-store)
• January 16: Oxford – Truck
• January 17: Huddersfield – Vinyl Tap (Lunchtime in-store)
• January 17: Hull – Crash @ The New Adelphi
• January 18: Bury – Wax and Beans
• January 19: Leeds – Jumbo
• January 20: Nottingham – Rough Trade
• January 21: Southampton – Vinilo
• January 22: Marlborough – Sound Knowledge @ St. Peter’s
• January 25: Edinburgh – Assai
• January 28: London – Rough Trade East

In addition to the solo in-store appearances, the full band will launch its major international tour itinerary, beginning in the UK with a performance at Celtic Connections at the Fruitmarket in Glasgow on January 26, 2027, before heading to the Bristol Beacon in Bristol on January 30, 2027.

The Spring 2027 leg includes a comprehensive run of UK dates in March, stopping in cities such as Sheffield, Gateshead, Liverpool, Coventry, and Cambridge. Following these domestic dates, This Is The Kit will cross the Atlantic for an extensive North American tour spanning late March and April 2027. The North American itinerary features stops in Kingston, New York; New York City at Le Poisson Rouge; Somerville, Massachusetts; Burlington, Vermont; Montreal and Toronto in Canada; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and a high-profile appearance at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, running from April 1 to April 3, 2027. Additional US dates include Minneapolis, Stoughton, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia.

Upon returning to Europe in late April and May 2027, the band will perform in Switzerland (Zurich, Basel), Germany (Heidelberg, Berlin, Hamburg), Denmark (Copenhagen), France (Paris), Belgium (Antwerp), and the Netherlands (Amsterdam).

The touring schedule extends into the autumn of 2027 with a return to Ireland and the UK. This leg includes performances in Dublin, Galway, and Cork in Ireland, followed by Welsh and English dates in Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and a final major London headline show at the Roundhouse on October 7, 2027.

Background and Evolution of This Is The Kit

Founded by Kate Stables, This Is The Kit has steadily evolved from an underground folk secret into a universally respected fixture of the international alternative music community. Over the course of multiple critically acclaimed albums released through Memphis Industries and other prominent independent labels, the project has built a reputation for its lyrical depth, circular guitar picking, horn arrangements, and Stables’ unmistakable vocal style.

Based primarily in Paris while maintaining deep ties to the UK music scene, Stables has collaborated with a rotating cast of exceptional musicians, giving the project a dynamic and ever-changing sonic identity. Albums such as Moonshine Freeze (2017) and Careful Of Your Keepers (2023) earned widespread critical praise for their atmospheric production and emotional resonance, cementing the project’s status as a vital voice in modern folk and indie-rock circles.

The addition of collaborators like Richard Dawson and Sam Amidon on Ghost Coat reflects the project’s ongoing commitment to cross-pollinating within the contemporary folk and experimental music communities. Both Dawson and Amidon are recognized for their idiosyncratic approaches to traditional and avant-garde song structures, making them natural fits for Stables’ thematic exploration of human vulnerability and connection.

Industry Implications and Commercial Expectations

The release of Ghost Coat arrives at a time of sustained growth for independent folk and alternative music, driven by audiences seeking organic instrumentation and introspective lyricism in an increasingly digital and fast-paced media landscape. Memphis Industries, known for nurturing critically acclaimed and distinctive artists, is positioning the album as a major release for the start of the 2027 calendar year.

The combination of an early single release, a physical-first grassroots retail campaign via independent record stores, and a multi-continent touring strategy demonstrates a robust commercial and artistic rollout. By engaging fans through intimate local spaces alongside major theatre and festival stages, This Is The Kit continues to reinforce the very themes of community, shared space, and personal connection that define the lyrical core of Ghost Coat.

Fans and prospective listeners can pre-save and pre-order Ghost Coat across digital streaming platforms and physical retail outlets via Memphis Industries, ahead of its official release on January 15, 2027.