Southern Ontario act brings high energy to Guelph stage
After sitting down with The Kents, a four-piece indie-pop band from Lindsay, Ont., one can definitely see the true passion and dedication that these young artists have for their music, as well as the close bond that they have formed as band members.
It was a high school guitar class that brought Warren Frank (vocals), Luke Shauf (bass), and Fred Kwon (guitar) together. They were given the task of covering different songs and ultimately, as Kwon put it, formed a “mini-band.” Drummer Tanner Paré, also from the Peterborough area, has recently joined the group.
They have come quite a long way since high school, having already shared the stage with The Strumbellas and The Trews. When asked what brought them to play in Guelph, they explained that they see the city as a musical “hot spot.”
The Kents joined The Honest Heart Collective, Polarity, and Guelph’s own HighPark at DSTRCT on Sept. 9 for a Friday night indie showcase.
“…people were dancing and singing along to their catchy, well-crafted tunes.”
Initially calling themselves Luke and the Good Men, the band decided to change their name to The Kents—Kent Street being the widest downtown street in their small hometown of Lindsay—with the intention of “taking themselves more seriously,” as well as paying homage to their hometown.
The group agreed that they each bring their own individual musical influences to the band, particularly in their most recent songwriting. Shauf said that he is largely influenced by John Mayer, while Kwon credits The Arkells as an inspiration. Frank admires Needtobreathe, while Paré brought up his appreciation for Jack White and his drummer Daru Jones. Although they agree that they can be classified as an indie-pop band, they said “it loosely defines them.”
When it comes to songwriting, The Kents have based their songs around themes such as love and heartbreak. They are now branching outwards and writing about experiences faced by people they know. They agreed that one of their strengths as a band is that they are very versatile in their songwriting.
Once The Kents took the stage at DSTRCT, there was a noticeable energy in the crowd, people were dancing and singing along to their catchy, well-crafted tunes. The positivity and humility that these four young musicians exuded in our conversation, most definitely shone through on stage, creating an enjoyable and intimate atmosphere.
The Kents have released an EP entitled Waking—a strong debut that reveals the band’s musical and artistic strengths—and already plan to release a full album within the next year or two. As for advice for young musicians who want to follow the same path, it is simple: work hard and try not to worry about instant success, just cherish where you’re at.
Photo by Nicholas Castel.