Awesome Underground ★ Music Review: i the mighty

Saturday, August 20, 2016

I THE MIGHTY: RIOT FEST 2016 ♫ MUSIC REVIEW

Perhaps one of the busiest bands on the Riot Fest line up, I the Mighty, has announced a second headlining tour, a new album, and most recently, the September release of their new EP "Oil In Water" I the Mighty's previous works include "We Speak" (also released under other names), "Karma Never Sleeps" "Satori" and the most recent, "Connector" Band members include: Brent Walsh, Ian Pedigo, Chris Hinkley, Blake Dahlinger.

We Speak
was such a raw and wonderful EP. It was the beginning of perfection and the proof that a band's potential can shine through rough edges. One of the most fabulous things about this band is that even through their evolution of a cleaner, clearer sound, they never lost their ability to preform as an absolute rock band. And the raw and rough beginnings always show themselves in every I the Mighty show I've been to.

Karma Never Sleeps
Was a step in a different, and more focused direction. It seems a lot more polished and organized than "We Speak" was. They also did an acoustic version of this already perfect album, which was more intimate (as acoustic versions of songs tend to be).

Satori
is heartbreak in it's varying and real forms. Brent has spoken on several occasions about how the writing in this album was a product of a break-up. But romantic heartbreak was not the only topic on this album. There was political heartbreak, friendship heartbreak, familial heartbreak, societal heartbreak. If you're a rock fan with a broken heart, this is the album for you.

Connector
was a bright new page for this band. It brought with it their first headlining tour, and the proof that they were deserving of that. They can hold their own. Not only on tour, but in the rock music scene. Another thing Connector brought with it were new elements of the band, such as offering artwork up to the fans for each track of the album. And even though the artwork was not created by a band member, I find it to be very representative of the music that inspired it, and of the band as a whole. Connector also brought with it a more other-worldly sound, with effects outside of their standard guitar, drum, bass formula.

Oil In Water
Yesterday, I the Mighty announced across their social media, across their social media that they would be releasing a new EP September 2nd called "Oil In Water." I'm excited to hear this, but I hope this doesn't mean that they've decided to skip the full length album I was anticipating after their fall tour.

Fall Tour
This band is setting off for their second headlining tour this fall. With them, they're bringing along another favorite of mine, Picturesque. (I also did a review of this band. To watch, click here. To read, click here.) Other openers include: Day Shell (which several fans seem to be very excited about, but I have not had the chance to listen to them yet), and Artifexpered. Along with a fabulous VIP package offered to fans at a reasonable price, I the Mighty is also promoting that they will be playing The Frame Trilogy on this tour, which is something that they haven't done in the past. The Frame Trilogy is a 3 part song story, which started in "Karma Never Sleeps" and the completion landed on "Connector."

I THE MIGHTY LINKS:

EQUAL VISION ARTIST PAGE

Friday, May 27, 2016

I THE MIGHTY: AWESOME UNDERGROUND ★ MUSIC REVIEW #16

I the Mighty is an Alternative Rock band based out of San Francisco, California. Their album, Satori, really makes me all happy inside. Band members include: Brent Walsh (lead vocals/guitar), Ian Pedigo (Guitar/backup vocals), Chris Hinkley (Bass/ backup vocals), Blake Dahlinger (percussion)

Finding this band was one of the happiest moments of my YouTube journey. And to this day, (more than two years later) they remain one of my favorite bands. "Satori" is still one of my most frequently used forms of therapy. This band blends all of the standard elements of a great rock band, creativity, intelligence, and passion in perfect measure.

It's not often that I run across a band that melts my heart with every element of their work. Every note, every riff, every beat, every lyric, EVERY CONVERSATION. I the Mighty is that band, though. I love everything they have done. I love how warm and kind they are after every show. I love how they'll have casual conversation about practically anything and hand out a hug if you ask nicely enough. They'll even pose how you want for a picture. They love back. A few of my favorite memories include Brent Walsh screaming in my face. And another is the time Ian stopped mid-soundcheck to strike up a conversation with me "Hey! I know you!" Yeah, they've seen me several times, but how many faces do they see in a week? Whether he actually recognized me or not, it sure made me feel good.

This band continues to amaze me with everything they do. From acoustic tracks to album commentary, I love everything I the Mighty puts out into the public. Brent seems to have strong beliefs on several issues. And while I may not agree with him 100% on everything, I can always appreciate that his opinions are well constructed with research and consideration of all factors involved. And I always admire that he hasn't lost the guts to speak his mind.

There are political songs, and love songs, and break-up songs. Songs of loss and longing and even Fuck-you songs. Intelligence, creativity, spite, and passion sum up the lyrical content in their discography. AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

Since I put out the review that I'll be pasting below, I've seen this band 8 times live and they have put out a new album, Connector. They've also headlined their own tour, Connectour (which had the best opening acts of any tour in the history of touring) and gained a lot of recognition for their flawless sound. I feel lucky to have found them early enough to witness this growth. I'm so proud every time they reach a new milestone. This is a band I truly love.

While Connector has a different feel, all of the elements that made me fall for I the Mighty are still there. Everything I love about their sound remains. It's not as rough or bluntly in-your-face as their previous album, Satori. But Satori is a break-up album through and through. With Connector come new emotions: love and longing, romantic anticipation... but the spite isn't gone (thank heavens). "The Lying Eyes of Miss Erray" is one of my favorite tracks on the album and although it sounds upbeat and catchy, there's a bite to it if you pay any attention to the lyrics at all. OH and "Psychomachia" ahhhh that is pure spiteful heaven! It's hard to pick a single track as a favorite from Connector, as it was with Satori, but those two are probably up towards the top of my list.

I'm including a handful of pictures that I have taken at shows because I love this band and because I flipping can. You're welcome.

Click the thumbnail below to watch the video review: