Introducing... ist

AGE:

ist has been together for a little over a decade.

MEMBERS:

Kenton Hall - Guitars, Vocals
Brett Richardson - Guitars, Bassoon, Vocals
John McCourt - Bass, Vocals
Flash - Drums and Percussion

LOCATION:

Kenton hails from Canada; John is a Scot; Brett and Flash are both England boys.
ist rehearse and gig in Leicester, UK.

KEY RELEASES:

Toothpick Bridge - (2009)
King Martha - (2005)
Freudian Corduroy - (2003)

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Worked with Jay Burnett on Toothpick Bridge. Played at various music festivals, including Summer Sundae and Guilfest. The hate mail received from their infamous and controversial Christmas single, "I am Jesus (And You're Not)"

GENRE:

Rockabilly, ska, rock, punk - the list goes on...

SOUNDS LIKE:

Elvis Costello, The Clash, Joe Jackson, Bob Dylan

WEBSITE:

www.istianity.co.uk
www.myspace.com/ist
www.twitter.com/istianity
www.facebook.com/pages/ist/25880375328

Canadian singer-songwriter Kenton Hall began ist in the spring of 2001. Debut EP, The Adult Tree, was released later that year and extensive touring followed. ist released Freudian Corduroy in 2004. It was met with positive reviews and cemented ist's position as purveyors of the UK indie music scene. Just as things were looking up and ist's future seemed limitless, tragedy struck the Leicester band. Lead guitarist Jack Bomb quit unexpectedly to form another band; and bassist, Detroit Robbins died. Yet instead of mourning and throwing the towel in, ist (with a new lineup) released King Martha which led to Kenton Hall receiving an award from MOJO magazine for being a ‘songwriter of substance.' Last year ist released 3rd album, Toothpick Bridge. The band worked with skilled produced Jay Burnett and the record so far has garnered excellent reviews. ist is now hard at work scoring a film written by their very own Kenton Hall.

It would not do ist any justice to list the range of artists they supposedly sound like. True ist are clearly inspired by a variety of musical icons (Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, Pink Floyd) and on almost every track you can hear the presence of some of these artists. Yet ist somehow is able to tie a wide range of musical eras and styles together into an album that is familiar yet so unique in itself. Toothpick Bridge displays ist's musical eclecticism: from rockabilly, to jazz-inspired rock, to afro-pop and ska, to epic piano ballads, to Dylan-esque lyrical journeys, and a little bit of The Clash. Other reviewers have limited and I believe missed the point by calling ist a neo-punk outfit and then listing Sex Pistols, Ramones etc as major influences. Although there are times where ist do channel these punk legends, ist's musical virtuosity and mature arrangements put them above and beyond your stock post-punk inspired indie band. ist's country influence is evident in their first three tracks from the use of rockabilly beats and steel guitar. Frontman Kenton Hall displays his obvious love for Elvis Costello with intelligent and obscure lyrics, and enigmatic vocals. The presence of a horn section can be found in tunes that are jazz/rock and even afro-pop/funk inspired; this gives ist an edge over their generic indie peers and infuses an upbeat and hopeful feeling to many of their tracks. The brass section is the thread that holds this diverse range of music together and a trait that Toothpick Bridge is sure to be remembered for. In spite of the incredible diversity of sounds, Toothpick Bridge is a cohesive and addictive listen that successfully merges this expansive range of styles into a consumable bite. 

Standout tracks:

"Pep Talk"
"Remington Steele"
"She Clears Her Throat"

Q: Please state your name(s) for the record.

A: Kenton Hall, singer and lyricist with ist.

Q: How do you tackle the songwriting process?

A: It's a genuinely collaborative process for us. What makes our songs ours is the fact that we all bring something to the table, and while someone may have an original idea, it's always brought to life and improved by the input of the others. When Beethoven is credited with the 9th symphony, it's because he wrote every note, every part. I think the same is true in popular music - a chord structure, a lyric, even a melody are only part of the equation. Also, we have the ability not only to realise each other's ideas but to take them in different, more exciting directions. The longer we write together, too, I think the more four-headed the beast becomes. The goal is always to match a smart lyric to a great piece of music though. Inequality on either side of that equation, and you may have a good song, but never a great one.

Q: Who do you consider to be your musical heroes and/or greatest influences?

A: This is another element that makes up our sound - we all have such disparate influences, though there are crossover points. I'm a Costello boy. He's a great touchstone for me - the genres he leaps, the passion he still has for music in general. I'm also a big fan of great lyricists - Chris Difford, Tom Waits, Richard Thompson, Neil Hannon, Stephen Merrit from the Magnetic Fields... right back to Berlin, Porter and Coward. But we have a wide base when it comes to stuff we love - between us, at random, the list contains: Stranglers, Joe Jackson, ballboy, Julian Cope, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, Cypress Hill, Sibelius... Oh, it could go on forever, getting more and more alarmingly eclectic.

Q: 5 favourite albums of all time?

A: Changes ALL the time, as with most people. But I'll pick five of mine that (probably) won't cause the others to laugh and point (much).

1. Get Happy!! - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
2. Rain Dogs - Tom Waits
3. Fully Completely - The Tragically Hip
4. Sandinista - The Clash
5. The Divine Comedy - Promenade

Q: Best gig you've ever attended?

A: My first, I think - The Tragically Hip at Victoria Speedway. It was just that first teenage rush of "Oh my God, so THAT'S what I'm going to do with my life." I've seen some great acts though. The reformed Squeeze at home in Deptford was pretty spectacular too.

Q: Most overrated artist of today?

A: Oh, my God. How long have you got? Take me to the pub and you'd find out ALL the real answers. But I do think it's dangerous - especially if you're pitting rich and famous against angry and struggling - to really put the boot into other artists. All those feuds in the press between bands - no one comes out with any credit. I do think Coldplay are Music for Virgins to Dry Hump to (patent pending) but, then, they are easy targets. It's primarily talent shows that make me hurl bricks these days. I'm willing to have my mind changed by most bands if they suddenly start producing intelligent work. Well, you live in hope.

Q: If you could change places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. Who would it be and why?

A: Cary Grant, without a doubt. He was such an insecure man with such devastating charm and talent. I've only ever managed fifty percent of that equation. And, yes, I mean the first half. Otherwise, I'd love the opportunities that Mr. Costello has, to make so many different types of music with such great companions.

Q: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

A: Zooey Deschanel? Sorry, that's wrong. I was just thinking of Zooey Deschanel. I often do. Ah hell, why not? She's got the acting chops.

Q: If you weren't a musician, what would you be doing with your life?

A: Probably teaching. It's the only non-showbiz profession that ever interested me. I write, I act and I'm in a band. These are three ridiculously hard professions to make a living at, however good you are or aren't. I've grown used to poverty with an element of personal satisfaction.

Q: What is your idea of a good time on a Friday night?

A: Zooey Deschanel.

Q: If you could share the stage with anyone, who would it be and why?

A: I think we all see this answer coming; Elvis Costello and the Imposters...Or perhaps The Blockheads. I've had the honour to write with Chaz Jankel - he's a gentleman and has an incredible talent. Or Squeeze. All three share one thing in common, love of SONGS, which is less common than you'd think. The other boys would have completely different lists, but for the same reasons.

Q: If you could play anywhere in the world, venue wise, where would you play?

A: I'd love to go home to Canada and play there, but I don't think they consider me Canadian enough anymore, playing with all these English and Scottish gentlemen. New Zealand, without a hint of flattery, also appeals greatly. Venue-wise, actually, I'd have to say the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham. Doesn't sound hugely ambitious for a dream destination, I know, but I've seen some brilliant shows there.

Q: What would you like inscribed on your gravestone?

A: A forwarding address.

Q: Musical goals as a band? Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

A: It's all about just getting the music out there, in whatever form and by whatever devious method. We're working on the score to a film at the moment, so that's an exciting new project. We just want to do interesting work and share it with interesting people. We're lifers. Not only do we not want to stop making music, I don't think we can. So, the world's stuck with us - one way or another.

Q: Anyone you want to thank?

A: So many people, who - as I'm speaking for all four of us - I'll sum up as those friends and family, both personally and professionally, who've stuck by us despite our insistence on being musicians. That's love, that is.

Q: Any final words before you go?

A: I should probably wax lyrical about how audiences should be given more credit, that they would choose better films, music, books if they were truly given the chance. Or bemoan the cowardice of radio when it comes to new music. Or dig up a dozen other bugbears that haunt me. But, unfortunately, I'm legally obliged to finish with:

The opinions expressed by Kenton Hall are not necessarily those of the rest of ist, or, to be honest, anyone, anywhere, ever.