IAMDYNAMITE | uk

The two musicians, who have been playing together since high school, originally hail from Michigan. Guitarist and vocalist Chris Martin describes their humble beginnings: “Chris and I grew up in a small town about 45 minutes outside of Detroit. We didn’t really know each other that well, and he didn’t move to the same school until about halfway through. Some friends and I wanted to start a band, and with it being a really small town there were only three drummers, and Chris was the only real drummer with a kit and a place where we could rehearse. Our first show was at our town’s fair for, like, our parents, aunts, and uncles.” Martin and Phillips eventually broke away and started collaborating as a two-man act they dubbed Mahoney. In 2008, they recorded their first EP with producer Matt Noveskey. Following live success, a name-change, and the release of two critically acclaimed music videos, the duo began recording their debut full-length album in the fall of 2010 at Willie Nelson's legendary Pedernales Studio outside of Austin, Texas. The album, also produced by Noveskey, is currently in post-production and will be released at an undetermined date in 2012.

Stylistically, the duo has been described as a big sound in a small package with upbeat tempos and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Martin and Phillips approach song-writing as a collaborative effort in which they aim for a simple yet energetic sound. Martin explains that they develop their sound by focusing on the basics of rhythm and melody, joking, "We don't need a flugelhorn or an accordian solo."While this simplicity is a necessity as a two-man band during live performances, the two musicians try to carry the philosophy over into the studio. When recording the most recent album, the duo decided to complete the project without the use of computer effects, aiming for a sound that was big yet "natural" for a band consisting only of guitar, vocals, and drums .