Mike Bankhead

Dayton, Ohio artist Mike Bankhead is a bassist and songwriter. The bass is typically a support instrument, which could limit his approach if he relied solely on it for composition. Instead, Bankhead has branched out and studied music theory, and he has taken piano lessons. This enriched vantage point has opened many possibilities. His songs feature unique chord sequences, non-stock chord voicings, well-developed melodies, and a powerful sense of dynamics. This sophistication is tucked away in hook-laden pop-rock with a dash of artiness. Bankhead’s lyrics feature refreshing turns of phrases and evocative imagery. Though his perspective is literate and learned, his words are accessible and authentic; there is a natural flow to his poetic sensibility that never feels scholastic or forced.