Founded in 2011, Richmond’s own Inquiry have been producing emo/alt for the hungry masses and they have been more than happy to eat it up.
Founded in 2011, Richmond’s own Inquiry have been producing emo/alt for the hungry masses and they have been more than happy to eat it up. Their sound should fulfill anyone’s post-hardcore needs, with solid inspiration coming from the likes of Brand New, Sunny Day Real Estate, later-Blink 182, or even Jimmy Eat World.
Made up of Justin Piaoan (Lead Vocals), Bri Jackson (Drums), Patrick Allen (Bass), Kyle Richards (Guitar/Vocals), and Patrick Van Story (Guitar), Inquiry had released only a few tracks until this year’s EP Sensitive Machines (check it out embedded below).
Part of this release includes a show at the Canal Club Friday with a mess of openers including The North, The Concussion Theory,FS and Jomin Mujar.
Check out Sensitive Machines below:
We got a few questions with Inquiry about their new album and the history of their band. Check out the answers below.
How did you all meet and come together to make a band?
(Bri) Justin and I met through Craigslist in the fall of 2011. We recorded out first EP “Invisible Pieces” with our good friends Noel on guitar and Zach on bass. They soon left the band and Justin found Kyle after that and Patrick Allen soon followed. We found Patrick Van Story through a good friend a few months before heading to New York to record “Sensitive Machines”. It’s been a crazy ride but I am very happy with where we are right now and we are only getting started. I can’t see myself making music with any other group of guys.
Where did the name of the band come from?
(Justin) The name Inquiry comes from the basic concept of the word which is to ask questions. Every single day we ask ourselves questions that leave us in constant wonderment. That constant wonderment leads us to challenge not only ourselves but each other.
What is different about this new EP that you’re releasing opposed to your other material?
(Kyle) The new songs we have released, when compared to older material, show how we have all matured as musicians, as well as how adding a second guitarist (Patrick Van Story) helped elevate our sound tremendously. The recording process for the EP was done as a whole, rather than one or two members being at a recording session, which really allowed us to voice our opinions, thus allowing for more changes in the songs. Essentially, it sounds more grown up than the old material.
Is there a central meaning behind the new EP?
(Justin) The central meaning came to me one morning in the studio when we were recording. Putting two words together that best describes human nature, I knew that this would be the title of the EP. We are sensitive human beings that get caught into a format, and these songs or shall I say babies of ours are exposes of what happens when we do. It’s social commentary on becoming self-aware of what we truly are in the best/worst ways, “Sensitive Machines.”
What are you particularly excited about with this release and the show that you’re doing with it?
(Pat Allen) I think we’re really just excited to finally get this material out to the world, and our family and friends. At the beginning of the year, we launched an Indiegogo to raise money for recording, and it was hugely successful—much more so than we could’ve hoped. I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to live up to that amazing support in the music, but in the end, what gained most from it was experience. I think now we have clearer heads on what to do, moving forward, and we’re excited for our next shot in the studio. On the release show: We just hope to have a blast, and put on a great show for everyone who comes out to see us Friday night.
Why did you all choose to play with the bands you did for the show at the Canal Club?
(Pat Van Story) This is not put down other bands because everyone has a message to convey through their music. I just feel that there is a movement going on in music in the form of forward minded progression. I want to be part of that, and we feel that all the bands on the bill share some form of that same mindset. Plus they make some good tunes.
Anything else that you want to add/ think I should have asked and want the public to know about (future shows, material, etc)
Well, we’re constantly working on new music, which is always exciting. The music scene is not dead; there are honest artists out there everywhere.
