THE KENTS INTERVIEW
Linsday, Ontario’s ‘The Kents’ is made up of Warren (vocals), Freddy (guitar), Luke (bass), Tanner (guitar). The release of their ‘Waking’ EP in 2016 and new single ‘Is There Anyone?’ has seen them climb the ranks, featuring on Spotify’s Indie All Stars and Apple Music’s 2016 Rising Stars. Make sure to check out my chat with Freddy below!
LB: Firstly, could you tell us about yourselves and your formation?
When did you guys know you clicked well together and wanted to take things further as a band?
TK (FK): We are a four piece rock band hailing from the small town of Lindsay, Ontario. Luke, Warren and I met in a high school guitar class, where we started playing cover songs together for fun. Everyone headed to different universities in different cities so we would jam and play the occasional show on our summer vacations. Once we all graduated this past year, we decided to take music more seriously. Our drummer Tanner joined just in time for the release of our first EP and it’s been a stellar fit! Honestly, we’re all pals so it clicked as soon as we started writing music together.
Obviously there is pride in being from Lindsay, seen by naming your band after a street in your hometown.
How have Lindsay and the people been significant in your music journey up to this day?
Lindsay has been a big part of our identity as a band as it’s where we all began playing music together. The unprecedented support from our friends and family has been awesome to see as well. We are played regularly on the local station BOB-FM, which is so crazy because we grew up listening to that station, so it’s been quite surreal on that end of things.
You have put out your EP ‘Waking’ and a new single. From starting with an idea and its evolution into a song, is the process completely collaborative? How do you successfully foster all 4 people’s ideas?
It all stems from a singular idea, whether that be a riff or a melody. From there, it is further explored with the addition of other instrumental parts, lyrics and grooves. Songwriting has definitely been easier and more fluid since we spend a lot more time with each other. Everyone’s ideas are incorporated in some way shape or form. It’s very much a “push and pull” sort of process where we are able to agree and disagree on each other’s ideas and parts. We’re all very open with each other so it’s a pretty seamless process!
Congratulations on the release of ‘Is There Anyone?’
From the Waking EP to the new song, how do you guys feel that you’ve developed with your sound?
What learning experiences has the EP given you and how has it guided you in discovering how you go about working on new music in the future?
The songs off the first EP were written when we were all away at different universities, where we were in surrounded by different people and experienced different things. With ‘Is There Anyone?’, the writing process was very collaborative as we were all in the same room, building a song from the ground up. Waking EP taught us that recording songs goes beyond just writing songs. Each song goes through different stages of edits and revisions. With that being said, we have spent so much time revising and perfecting newer songs. Lately, we have especially learned the importance of dynamics in music as it creates a different mood or an emotion.
You guys have had the opportunity to play alongside other bands, like the Strumbellas.
How has being able to perform with people of such a caliber influenced and improved your own shows?
We had the pleasure of playing their hometown album release show for ‘Hope’ and it was definitely an experience we will never forget! It took place at the Academy Theatre, a venue we played our first show at. The best part of playing shows is watching how other bands perform and what type of shows they put on. Playing alongside great bands motivate us to become better musicians and better performers.
Are there any places you dream of touring or venues you dream of playing? What makes them so special?
I think all the guys have different dream tour/ venue spots. I would love to play some shows out in western Canada because I’ve never been out there. It’s kind of been a goal for us as a band to head out there. As for my dream venue, I would love to play Massey Hall in Toronto. Been to some of my favourite shows to date at that venue. The sound and the atmosphere in there is absolutely amazing!
What are some goals you would like to achieve in the future as a group?
Our main goal right now is to continue songwriting and hopefully release a full length in the upcoming future. Other goals include touring the rest of Canada and playing to more unfamiliar crowds. We want to continue to learn from other bands by attending shows as a group and expose ourselves to new experiences every step of the way in our journey.
Lastly, can we expect any upcoming projects following the single?
You will have to wait to find out!