Check out this sneak peek video from the interview we did with The Maine!
If you are fans of Envy on the Coast, Say Anything or Circa Survive, I The Mighty is the band for you! I The Mighty is a progressive/alternative band from San Francisco, California. Their unique personalities and their passion for what they do was revealed when I had the opportunity to sit down with Brent Walsh (Lead Vocalist & Guitarist), Ian Pedigo (Guitarist) and Blake Dahlinger (Drummer) after opening for Forever the Sickest Kids and Anarbor at Slim’s in San Francisco.
The band’s catchy name, I The Mighty, was not their original name. A record label in San Francisco, that no longer works with the band, thought the band needed a new name.
Originally, the band name was Breakpoint. The guys had to make a quick decision and the name I The Mighty fit the bill. “The name I The Mighty actually came from one of our older songs called ‘I The Mighty Defeatist’,” says guitarist, Ian.
Brent explains how the band came together: “Ian and I were an acoustic duo for a while. When we were starting to look for other members, we met Blake at a show of ours and Chris was in a practice space next to ours. Chris would do some background vocals and some bass parts, we became friends and, well, here we are.”
I The Mighty likes to start the writing process with Brent’s lyrics. Blake says, “We like to describe our music in a view of a songwriter aspect. Brent’s lyrics are a really important part of our music; we enjoy story telling through our music.” As the process continues, band members contribute their own element to the song. As Brent said, they like to “jam it out.” Ian explains how they handle when creativity is blocked. “A way for me to get rid of it is when I discover a new band. Listening to new music inspires me to write new music. Also, going on vacation is a good way to get inspired. The different sceneries you see can really help.”
Ultimately, the band’s goal is to be able to connect to people through a rhythmic and melodic level. Their incredible stage presence and dedication to their music is inspiring for other musicians. I The Mighty has consistently shown their musical growth in the local music scene. They prove this by their recent signing with Equal Vision Records (Congratulations guys). This summer they will be releasing a new EP and going on tour with A Lot Like Birds in July. Check out their music on their website (It’s AMAZING): http://www.ithemighty.com
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/ithemighty
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/#!/ithemighty
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/ithemighty
An Evening With The Maine
I was too into the music and because the whole night felt entirely surreal, I smiled so wide and laughed and I just remember smiling the whole night for all the bands and my heart feeling so light and I just had this huge weight off my shoulders despite me nearly passing out and having - what felt like and probably was - the entire crowd’s weight pressed on me. I have never been more tired in a crowd than last night, never been more excited, never been more inspired, never been more blown away, never felt so involved, never been so into the music that I completely forgot about everything around me - all the limbs, the hot air that didn’t provide enough oxygen, the leather jacket on my skin because I was far too excited and stupid to remove it before entering the venue, the elbows pressed on my shoulders and head, the knees that shoved against my back, the one person in the crowd who always seems to be physically hurting the people around him/her (you know what I’m talking about).
First on stage was a man by the name of Colby Wedgeworth. Hailing from Sacramento, California, Colby somehow was given the opportunity to open for The Maine. This was a great decision. The crowd went crazy as he sang. His talent overshadowed the fact that he was fairly unknown to the members of the audience. He closed with a cover of Train’s “Soul Sister”, and his and his band’s performance was more than noteworthy.
Next on stage was Austin Gibbs. He began singing a song about a haunted house into which he had recently moved. The crowd was somewhat hesitant at first, but through charm, humor, wit, and sheer talent, he easily won over the crowd. He blew the crowd away with his voice. I watched as members of the audience stood in amazement with jaws dropped. His set closed with his new single “I Like The Ones”. He could not have chosen a better song to close with.
Also on the tour is a band known as This Century. They played even better than expected. They ran around the stage and had amazing crowd interactment. They slowed down their set with the song “Money Honey”, and we all watched as the audience fell in love with this band. Their set was short, but couldn’t have been better.
When seeing The Maine, they never disappoint. Their set was made up of 17 songs, some that they had never even played before. Every note played and sung was both impressive and awe-inspiring. Throughout the entirity of the set, the crowd was pulsing with energy. The band fed off of that energy and played the show of a lifetime.
I know you all have a long and promising future ahead of you. I’ll be there every step of the way.
Written by: Kitt
Additional writing and editing by: Megan
(via tomsearle)
The Maine begins their first ever headlining tour tomorrow with This Century at Slim’s in San Francisco, CA. It’s going to be beyond amazing. Here is a trailer for their new music video for their single “Inside of You” from the new album Black & White. Preorder the CD today here, and recieve a multitude of amazing things, even a book! Do not miss out on an opportunity to see them this summer. Get your tickets before they sell out!
-Megan
