Ten Kens

by Rob McCrae

Not a band made up of ten people called Ken

"Ten Kens have eschewed the quiet/loud formula and gone for a sound that is far more grandiose."

Amidst the sheath of static humming out of the Brighton based Fatcat label, Ten Kens stick out like a diamond on a shaking tray. It’s not just the sawing guitars that juxtapose the label’s normal sound, it’s the fact that the Canadian four-piece sound like one of those slacker cool bands that used to rocket out of America in the early nineties. “(Our music) has a ton of reverb,” lead singer Dan confirms. “While recording, we went so far as to put our drummer into a tiny stairwell, he most certainly didn’t fit in, and just to maximize the reverb we could get on one particular song.”

Ten Kens began as a duo five years ago honing the songs that would make up their debut while adding members through a recruitment process that would have bemused an East Coast frat party. They played shows in and around their hometown of Toronto until their live set was a finely honed monster able to adapt to the whim of the crowd. “Sometimes they (the crowd) want theatrics,” Dan deadpans. “Other times they simply want you to bring the noise.”

They promote rapturous kissing on the cover of their forthcoming album (released this September). “It’s two people kissing,” explains Dan “but it doesn’t leave you feeling happy. It’s intimate and grim.”

They’re from Canada so that’s a byword for quality, but that doesn’t mean the band get complacent and take the nearby provenance of Arcade Fire and Black Mountain as handy association. “We’re happy to fall in (with the Canadian musical scene),” Dan says profoundly. “But ultimately, Canadian or not, if they like you, they like you, if they don’t, they don’t.”

Influences range from Sonic Youth, Pixies and My Bloody Valentine and former single 'Bearfight' sounds like Liars and The Dead Kids making music by writhing around together with their instruments. “We enjoy watching animals do all sorts of things,” Dan says to one of the New Noise questions. Ten Kens have eschewed the quiet/loud formula and gone for a sound that is far more grandiose. Most important they love their record label. “Everything about it is amazing,” Dan enthuses. “We’re completely humbled by the company we now keep. If FatCat says you’re good, you’re doing something right.” Just agree with all these statements. Ten Kens are worth it.
vacant usher said on October 28th 2008 [report abuse]

Dan? That isn't Ken. Why are they called Ten Kens?

vacant usher said on October 28th 2008 [report abuse]

Dan? That isn't Ken. Why are they called Ten Kens?

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