I the Mighty

I the Mighty is an American alternative rock band based out of San Francisco, California, United States, formed in 2007. As of 2015, the band has released three EPs and two studio albums. Their debut, Satori, peaked at #10 on the Billboard Heatseekers Charts.

History

Formation

Formed in 2007, the band began while vocalist Brent Walsh and Ian Pedigo were still in high school together. The two taught themselves how to play guitar, and then started writing songs together as a two-man acoustic project, Breakpoint.^[1] Five years prior to the band's formation, the two met Chris Hinkley while he was playing with another band. The three then began to practice acoustic songs that Walsh and Pedigo had penned. Blake Dahlinger saw the trio performing at the Retox Lounge and asked the group if they needed a drummer. The band turned into a quartet, and changed their name due to copyright issues.

Early Work (2008-2011)

In their early years, Dahlinger and Hinkley simply wrote their parts to the existing songs that had already been written. The band released their first two EPs, I the Mighty and Hearts and Spades, in 2008 and 2010 respectively. Their self-titled EP is more acoustic and melodic than their more recent efforts. Regardless, the group caught the attention of Brad Wiseman, a booking agent for Equal Vision Records. The band were interested in him becoming their agent, and passed along early demos of Cutting Room Floor and Escalators. The label sent the head of A&R out to see one of the band's shows in LA.^[2] They were signed to the label in 2011.^[3]

Karma Never Sleeps and Satori (2012-2014)

The band worked with Erik Ron for their third EP, Karma Never Sleeps. It was released on March 27, 2012, and serves as their debut on Equal Vision Records. It was met with positive reviews from fans and critics. The band embarked on a series of tours that year. In late 2012 they were a part of the Rock Yourself to Sleep Tour alongside bands Dance Gavin Dance, and A Lot Like Birds. The group supported Hands Like Houses on their US tour in March 2013,^[4] and later Set It Off on their North American tour.

The band had started writing and recording their debut in late 2012. The band aimed to produce an album similar to Karma Never Sleeps, but still have some diversity. In an interview with Property of Zack, Walsh said, "It’s kind of along the same lines as Karma Never Sleeps. I think we all stepped our game up a little bit. Everyone pushed themselves as hard as they possibly could. We wrote a bunch of stuff that’s extremely hard for us to sing and play, that we’re kind of learning now. Everyone pushed themselves really hard and everyone put everything they possibly had into this record. I think it shows when you listen to it." ^[5]

Satori was released on June 11, 2013 to positive reviews. Again, the band worked with Erik Ron for their debut. They toured extensively to support the album's release. They were a part of the Say Anything on their Say Anything: Rarities and More Tour from June 23 to July 12. Then in the fall they supported A Skylit Drive on their Rise Up Tour, and later Coheed and Cambria.^[6] They continued to tour in 2014, first supporting letlive. and Architects. The band later announced they would be a part of Vans Warped Tour 2014. While on tour, they released new song, Love Your Sin, along with acoustic versions of The Dreamer, and Speak to Me.

Connector (2015-present)

In early 2015, the band toured with Enter Shikari, Stray from the Path, and Hundredth in the Mindsweep Tour North America. The band released a new single, Playing Catch with .22 from their second album Connector, during the tour.^[7] The album's release date was revealed to be June 2, 2015. A month after the premiere of their first single, they announced their first headlining tour with Hail the Sun and Too Close to Touch.

The next single from "Connector", Adrift, was released on April 30, along with the accompanying music video. The third single, Friends features Say Anything vocalist Max Bemis. A video for The Lying Eyes of Miss Erray was released on June 4.^[8]

During its first week, the album charted on several Billboard charts, including Top Rock and Independent.^[9][10]

Band Members

• Brent Walsh – lead vocals, guitar (2007–present)
• Ian Pedigo – guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
• Chris Hinkley – bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
• Blake Dahlinger – drums, percussion (2007–present)

Musical style

They played a style of Post-hardcore music mixed with experimental Rock and Alternative Rock.Indie Rock elements can be heard in their songs. Their music structure are classified simillar to the Australian Hands Like Houses.

Discography

Studio albums

• Satori (2013)
• Connector (2015)

EPs

• I the Mighty (2008)
• Hearts and Spades (2010)
• Karma Never Sleeps (2012)

Singles

• Love Your Sin (2014)

References