The recent finale to the eighth season of Grey's Anatomy was a typically emotional ending to the long-running soap's latest year on air. The medical drama's usual weekly commotion and declarations of love sat comfortably amid the heartbreaking death of a main character, sending the show's many fans into a breathless sobbing hysteria. As the episode reached its impassioned crescendo though, the series' soundtrack took a surprising turn. Where previously the likes of Snow Patrol have been used to star making effect, season eight's key moment instead ran to the alternative folk sounds of Melbourne's emerging indie five piece The Paper Kites.

The quintet of Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, Dave Powys, Josh Bentley and Sam Rasmussen have gradually been making waves over the last twelve months, with the release of their debut EP Woodland followed by consistent gigging and radio-play across the country. The appearance on Grey's is another thing altogether. “It was really unusual and really cool at the same time,” admits the band's main songwriter Sam Bentley. “I think the fact that it was the season finale and it was played in the bit that everyone starts tearing up towards the end. And they used the whole song, which was really cool. We were really quite flattered to be asked to do that.”

Bentley is quick to put the achievement into perspective though. “I think you definitely don't wanna put all your eggs in one basket and hope that a television show's gonna launch your career. I mean it just doesn't always happen like that... It's just something really cool that's happened to us.” The group's success so far is a testament to the strength of their material and a burgeoning live reputation. The five members switch instruments throughout each set, making touring a customs nightmare but each show a highlight. And their latest EP Young North is another step forward, and has already been placed on high rotation on triple j. Success has come quickly since their humble beginnings.

“We were all playing in different bands at the time,” explains Bentley. “Christina and myself were just doing random shows around Melbourne, just at cafes and stuff. We were sort of used to middle age women talking over us while we were trying to play and stuff like that. But we had applied for this festival and we got accepted and we wanted to pull together a band for it. I had a few originals, so we asked Dave and Sam to join, and Josh is my cousin, I liked his drumming and asked him to play as well. There was never really an official conversation, and there still hasn't been! It was a very natural progression. We look back now and think 'How did we really get to where we are?' I should probably ask them all if they wanna start the band.”

With plans for a debut album on the way, the next 12 months could be a defining period for Bentley and his friends. The notoriously crowded Melbourne music scene has claimed many a band over the years, but The Paper Kites are one set for big things. “One of the advantages of playing quite pleasant music is that you know people are always wanting to come out and hear it. We're pretty chilled about the fact that there's a lot of bands out there, and I don't really feel a competitive nature at all. I think it's because we're not trying to compete with any band, we're just doing our own thing - and it seems to be going okay.”

The Paper Kites will be playing the following shows:

Thursday 18 October - Fowlers, Adelaide SA
Friday 19 October - Mojos, Fremantle WA
Thursday 25 October - Woombye Pub, Woombye QLD
Friday 26 October - The SoundLounge, Gold Coast QLD
Saturday 27 October - The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
Thursday 1 November - Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Friday 2 November - Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 3 November - Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC
Sunday 4 November - Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne VIC