Dissecting the dark side of humanity, the songwriter thrives as a both an outlier and a storyteller in the universe of heavy music.
Coined as ‘murderfolk,’ Amigo the Devil sat in for a session on Mosh Talks to share details abut his upcoming record and his creative journey as an outliner among an already fringe community.
Performing acoustic-based music among a contingency of fans that typically patron amplified aggression, Amigo shared that his connection to the world of heavy music was mostly a bi-product of his environment. Coming from the world of hardcore and heavy music, Amigo could only reach out to his peers to introduce his morbid brand of acoustic folklore.
Amigo goes on to admit that despite the stylistic departure in pairing acoustic music as an opener for plugged-in heavy bands, the weirdness was something he had the power to make go away. He confided that the crowds were receptive and once he built that confidence in knowing he belonged on the stage regardless of whether it “fit” – murderfolk really began to take flight.
As fo that moniker – Amigo realizes that it’s used loosely, much in the same way that it originated. Confiding that the term was an easy way to get people to wrap their head around the creative direction of his music, he also shared that the style is really rooted in the murder ballad – these are essentially traditional folk songs that tapped into the more nefarious side of the life.
It’s there that the foundation of Amigo the Devil’s brand really becomes clear. Armed with a guitar and a keen sense of narrative, his collection of songs function is an anthology of humanity that ventures more towards the dark side of the spectrum. Though Amigo shares that he feels people are intrinsically good, the reality is that the grim always makes for a more compelling listen.
Arguably, it’s the authenticity of the music that resonates with fans more the the macabre. Amigo the Devil dissects darkness in a way that never feels like a gimmick and that gives added creedence to a troubadour bold enough to turn up with an acoustic guitar to in a room full of metal snobs, hardcore kids, (insert niche heavy music scene here).
Amigo’s fascination with humanity, both the good and the bad, is what fuels his creative fodder. He discussed the kind of duality that exists among people, appearing completely fine and normal on the outside while living thoroughly flawed on the inside. He explores that fascination in his music tapping the depravity of serial killers like Ed Gein for inspiration.
Amigo also discussed what it was like to work with renowned producer Ross Robinson on his LP, Everything Is Fine. Regularly joking that he left that recording session with more problems than he came in with, the musician explained that working with Robinson requires a dismantling of any emotional armor you might have existing in order convey the most emotion when he hits record.
Challenging artists to dig beyond the surface, Robinson would talk through the meaning of each of Amigo’s songs prior to ever getting to the process of recording. Pursuing the personal nexus of each track, Amigo shared that the level of personal analysis was something he remains indebted to the producer for.
As for the indulgence of dark that exists in Amigo’s music, the songwriter shares that the idea of being sad is something that people ty to change rather than experience and appreciate as a laboring experience. Sharing that he doesn’t think there is anything wrong with being sad, he also shares that it’s temporary and part of the overall experience that is unique to humanity.
Stream the entire discussion with Amigo the Devil via Mosh Talks below.
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