The Ian Fays

By Katherine Hoffert; photo by Debra A. Zeller

The Ian Fays are a booker’s dream come true. Born in the Humboldt County music scene, where there’s one show a week and everybody in town goes, the band — which consists of twin sisters Lizz and Sara Fay at its core and features a cast of rotating guests like sister Lena Fay and drummer Bradley Fay (no actual relation) — learned real quick that in the Bay Area, you have to make each show an event. And they do. Ian Fays shows are sure to include costumes — some favorites are prom dresses, Catholic school girl attire, “Geometry” (geometric patterns on 1960s garb) and pink and red valentines, as well as synchronized dance moves, treats (lollypops, Double Bouble and candy necklaces, for example) and of course, their beautifully

intimate Casio-based indie pop songs. “Our music is mellow so we try to exert a lot of energy when we perform,” says Lena, known citywide for her memorable hand cymbal recitals.

Such high-spirited energy extends into every aspect of band life — from the business to the creative components. “I think the trick with us is that we keep everything fun,” says Lizz. “We don’t stress when we are making press packs and

contacting venues — we add stickers and personal hand-written notes. It’s our Fay way.”

This good, old-fashioned friendliness (and a little bit of networking) found The Ian Fays a label deal overseas with Italy’s Homesleep Music, as well as an international tour opening for bands like CSS and The Babyshambles. “We played a show at the Eureka Vets Hall back in 2005 with F*ck and Trash and Roll (F*ck being affiliated with Homesleep),” Sara explains. “We exchanged CDs, became friends and a year later, Lizz, me and a Yamaha drum machine were on a plane heading towards Italy for our first international tour.” Not only a surreal life experience but an important learning

experience, the tour forced the Fays to get over stage fright — fast. According to Sara, “We used to get freaked out to play an open mic — now there is no show we can get really freaked out about. When there is a good chance you will throw up backstage because several thousand Babyshamble fans are yelling ‘Where’s Pete?!’ and you have to step onstage, nothing else can be close to scary.” The tour also had somewhat of an indirect influence on The Ian Fays’ latest album, Dylan’s Lost Days, in that it helped the band better identify the tones it wanted to achieve on record. “Drum tones, bass tones, guitar tones were just not thought about on our first album,” says Lizz.

“After playing live professionally and touring Europe, we learned what to tell sound techs about our tones and our very whispery, airy vocals that are so hard to capture. The new album pays much more attention to this. And Eli [Crews, of New, Improved Recording] did as well.”

Naturally kinetic as twins and well equipped for harmonizing, one could argue that The Ian Fays’ songs are actually predisposed to be infectious: “The origin of our songs usually consists of one line stuck in our heads for several weeks and then extending the line into a song,” says Sara. She credits the Casio as being especially accommodating to the songwriting process in the beginning and actually making the band. “Lizz and I fell in love with Disco Beat 1. The Casio and its lovely stock beats were so convenient,” she says. In fact, it was those programmed beats that kept the band functional and afloat throughout the course of member shifts.

“Another perk of toy Casios is the ample amount of funny sounds,” says Lizz. Two of Lena’s favorites, “Airplane” and “Ambulance” can be heard on the track “St. Catherine of Siena,” a song marked with airy arpeggios, clutching vocals and the most triumphant

build on the album with the declaration “Don’t magnify what I’ve been trying to hide.”

Though they hope to get back over to Europe to support Dylan’s Lost Days, The Ian Fays maintain they are a West Coast touring band. Lena explains this is because they “have played with so many bands and have so many random friends/ family to crash with on the West Coast.” In line with the theme of keeping things fun and friendly, Lena reveals the band’s secret: “Make good friends in cool cities. (J/K).”

www.myspace.com/theianfays