 "Photo: The Ian Fays")
The Ian Fays got signed to a small Italian label over a year ago, what's next for the hardworking lo-fi indie band from Humboldt County?
They've been touring Europe, making music, and drinking wine. The girls (and one boy) recently moved to San Francisco and have been playing shows regularly there and in Sacramento. They are coming back up to Humboldt for a show at the Shanty on May 18, after a screening of the documentary they starred in called Rural Rock'n Roll. They are playing with local "weird-rock" group Eureka Garbage Company who is also featured in the documentary. Eureka Garbage Company singer and drummer Chris Colland said, "The Ian Fays are a little more marketable [than the Eureka Garbage Company]. I can see them ending up on Saddle Creek, they are young good looking people, and they make music that reflects that. We make music that is damaged and ugly, I think we reflect that." The bands are both entertaining and make for a good show.
The Ian Fays were born out of a set of twins and a broken Casio keyboard. Lizz and Sara (Fay); are originally from Idaho and went to Humboldt State University together.
They started writing songs and playing shows. Their sister, Lena, was given a kiddie xylophone in the key of C, which she learned how to play to be a part of the band. Lena became the percussion section, finger symbols and little dances included.
She's also the only member of the band that smiles on stage.
The original keyboardist was Julia Cupp, who has gone on to do other musical endeavors. Cupp was replaced by Samantha Williams, a music major at Humboldt State, and plays with the girls when she can. The last member of the band was a boy, Bradley Chamblin (or Boy Fay,) who was recruited to play drums when the girls finally gave up on the Casio drumbeats when they continually failed during shows.
"Brad's more reliable [than the drum machine]" said Sara Fay. Long before Chamblin was admitted into the band he said at an Ian Fays show, "this is my favorite band."
Although they have changed a lot since the band started, they've kept a lot of things the same. They still dress up and have a theme for their shows. Their themes can range from polka dots, to 80's prom, to catholic schoolgirl, it's always fun to see what it's going to be. They have silly dances that go along with certain songs. Kaydee Lindsey of McKinleyville has been a big fan for several years now, "I first saw them at Redwood Yogurt, it was just the four girls back then, and they kept apologizing for stuff... that was cute."
Lindsey listens to the Ian Fays so much she's one of their top listeners on the music tracking website Last.fm.
They are now playing about 20 new songs not on their previous albums. They have been doing some recording here and there but are going to be in Italy in November where they will finish their latest album entitled "I love Pat Gallagher," in a professional studio. They hope to have it completed by December.
The Ian Fays will be playing at the Shanty, May 18th with the Eureka Garbage Company.
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