The sun’s rays slapped the skins of people gathered around Denver Warped Tour’s elaborate stages. Thousands of people had braved the overwhelming heat to attend the final tour of this cult summer phenomenon. By the time Movements’ set came around, evening had cooled down the arrows of sunlight, and clouds accompanied the dim sky. A giant, yellow banner with a fish in center, and the word “Movements” in red, hung above the band’s instruments on the stage.
Once the band came out, everyone huddled closer. Without an introduction, Movements began to play. People began to jump around and reach to the clouds. Hands were held high in hopes of a good time. They surpassed expectations.
Thriving in the punk scene, Movements craft a sound like no other. Hailing from Orange County, CA, Movements consist of Austin Cressy on bass, Ira George on guitar, Patrick Miranda on vocals, and Spencer York on drums.
The group was on tour overseas before hitting the summer stages on the Vans Warped Tour for its cross country tour. Having played Warped Tour before, they feel like they owe a lot of their success to the famed summer show. Even though they are excited that they get to be a part of its final run, they are also a little sad that it’s coming to an end.
“I’m very excited to be a part of the last full tour. It’s definitely the end of an era, and we’re sad to see it go, but it’s amazing to be able to say that we are part of the very last Warped,” George explained.
The band’s sound stands out from other musicians. Their focus is on slow and heavy guitar meoldies and pounding drums accompanied by emotional singing. There are hints of spoken word throughout Movements’ music, too, as the band occasionally breaks the flow of their songs to insert lyrical poetry.
“There’s something so beautiful about being able to create a work of art with something as simple as human language. I love that poetry doesn’t have to be accompanied by anything. As I got older I became very enamored with slam poetry and spoken word collectives, and it was an aspect I always knew I wanted to put into our music,” he added.
Feel Something, released this past year, focuses on a variety of mental health issues such as alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression, and OCD. The reach of how far their music has stretched can be witnessed in Movements’ live shows. Their music embodies serious issues as a way to bring light to the darker sides of life.
“‘Deadly Dull’ discusses the struggles of watching someone you love suffer from Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” George explained, regarding the topics the band explained. “‘Full Circle’ is about my struggles with mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and OCD. ‘Daylily’ is about overcoming the adversities of mental illness and being able to move forward from them in a positive way.”
The chords and lyrics in each song create a dialogue with each other. The slow guitars acknowledge the bad times in life, but also let the high points ring out. Discussing both ends of the symphony called life through their music, Movements spread a message. They want “younger generations to know that it’s okay to talk about what you’re going through, and to know that no matter what, you are never alone.”
Not only is the music created to give voice to issues demanding discussion, the members themselves take solace in stringing together tunes. Music has served as an outlet of expression for the group.
“Creating music is therapy for me. If I didn’t have music as an outlet I would be miserable. It’s how I can talk about the things I don’t like to talk about in everyday life. Music has gotten me through the hardest times I’ve ever experienced. I literally would not be here without it.”
Warped Tour may be sadly coming to an end after this summer, but Movements certainly are not. Check out Movements on future tours or listen to their new album on Spotify or Apple Music.
Photo courtesy of Movements
