Member Since: 11/13/2005
Band Website: LAQUESTMUSIC.com
Band Members:
Despite the often explicit subject matter of her work, lead vocalist and lyricist Kimberly Joyce actually started her musical training in the small church in which her father was a pastor and her mother was a piano player. Her natural ability as a vocalist and on the keys quickly became evident, evolving into her work with La Quest as well as her solo pursuits. Her accomplishments outside of the realm of music include her four year tenure playing point guard for the OSU womens basketball team.
Drummer Matt Chilcote started young in the environment of a musical family as well, drawing early and continuing influences from jazz, progressive rock such as Dream Theater and Rush, and heavier material such as Tool, Primus and Opeth. His extensive formal training and the musical environment of his upbringing is evidenced in the discipline and respect for fundamentals that comes through in his playing.
Kito Denham is equally comfortable on the mic, the synth, or playing percussion. He also grew up with music, studying traditional African rhythms on the djembe. Mayh3m! also grew up playing keys, guitar, bass, violin, trumbone, kora and whatever else was available around his musical household. His later interests found him never straying far from producing beats and rocking the mic, as showcased not only in La Quest but also in his local hip hop crew and long-time Columbus fixture The Late Show .
Keyboardist Mike McNamara started his musical training through classical piano but quickly picked up guitar as well, formerly playing with D.C. area heavy hitters Life in Vein. His later material has integrated the guitar with the keys in an interesting blend that you can hear on his McNamusic site. Most recently he has been working as head composer for the score of a feature film set to debut in December.
Bassist Jon Mitts started out playing guitar, quickly moving to bass and later drums. In keeping with the diversity of the band, his influences range from more expected sources such as The Roots to perhaps less obvious genres such as funk, reggae, punk rock, and metal. His more recent efforts at sound engineering and graphic design represent continually evolving roles in the band.
The La Quest Ninja
The La Quest Ninja doesn't actually play any instruments, but he is a ninja. If he wasn't made of polygons, he would probably head up security for shows. Play the video above to see him in action. Original artwork by Jon Mitts and Kito Denham
Influences: Lauren Hill, The Roots, James (J Dilla) Yancey, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Soul FM, The Fugees, Black Eyed Peas, Primus, Ordinary Peoples, Marvin Gaye, Heltah Skeltah, A Tribe Called Quest, Jaco Pastorius, Dream Theater, Leaders of a New School, The Coltranes, Living Colour, Aritha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Rich, Everything but the Girl, Miles Davis...
Type of Label: None