Photo Courtesy: Brody White
By Jamie Steel
KAWARTHA LAKES-It’s been a big year for The Kents and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, the Lindsay band with roots as a high school class project is soaring to new heights with the release of their second EP, Within Waves, next month.
“It has definitely been a huge year for us in a lot of different ways,” says lead singer Warren Frank. “It’s been a year of growth, for sure…Getting to go to the east coast and all these different places we had never been, it’s been great. A lot of the highlights for us have been shows, shows with bands we look up to. It’s been a bit surreal.”
Frank says the group is really excited about the release of Within Waves on Oct. 13, as well as the release party at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on Nov. 17. “We’re really excited to share what we’ve been up to.” Maintaining much of the pop melody fans have come to expect from their tunes, Frank says the new album offers more musical integrity than their previous EP, Waking. It’s a reflection of the changes the band has embraced in the past year, transitioning from building their songs through online conversations to writing with each other in the same room. It’s also evidence of how they’ve have grown as musicians.
Since forming in 2014, the group has been featured on Apple Music’s 2016 Rising Stars, and Spotify’s Best of 2016 Viral Hits, had a song featured on Hockey Night in Canada, were recognized by the Canada Walk of Fame and have earned a vast amount of radio support.
The Kents have shared the stage for sold-out shows with The Trews, The Strumbellas, The Elwins, Fast Romantics and Hollerado, and, since early August, have been touring festivals and universities across Ontario, as well as one stop in Quebec.
Despite, or perhaps in part because of all the time they’ve spent on the road, Frank says Lindsay remains a favourite place to play for the band.
Just a few days before their performance at the Lindsay Exhibition on Friday (Sept. 22), as part of the LEX Party with fellow Kawartha Lakes natives, The James Barker Band, Frank says his hometown is a great place to relax and reflect. “It’s home so it’s got a unique feel to it right off the bat,” says Frank. “I think there’s a reason all these bands are coming out of Lindsay. It fosters creativity,” he says, guessing that all the up and coming musicians from the area were fortunate enough to have mentors or teachers encouraging them to pursue their dreams. “We wouldn’t be here without our Grade 11 guitar class and Mr. Koekebakker.”
Those interested in attending the show at the LEX can purchase general admission tickets for $15 through lindsayex.com. Fans who want to go to the release party for Within Waves, tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 through ticketfly.com or for $15 at the door.
The Kents are also playing the Cultivate Festival in Port Hope this Saturday (Sept. 23) as well as Head of the Trent in Peterborough on Sept. 30. For more information about the band, their shows or their music, visit www.thekentsband.com.
