Mike Matuczinski
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2015
Music
Press
Band/Album Review: a Curio Vis
a Curio Vis is a multi-genre band from Bethlehem and Allentown, PA consisting of guitar (Shinsk, also vocals), bass (Marty), and drums (Trav). If you like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cake, Blind Melon, and similar bands, you'll love ACV.
Even after browsing their Facebook page and their website, I found it difficult to find too much information on this band, so this review will be a bit short. However, it's really the music that's important, and ACV's sound speaks for itself!
Discography
Drawn Onward (September 27, 2011)
Covers Vol. 1 - First ACV single (February 22, 2012)
Woo -Current album (February 14, 2013)
Woo
The album opens with a track titled "Moon and Meridians," a smooth, light rock number that alludes to early 90's RHCP. It's catchy and easy to get immersed in. The lyrics have the potential to hold several different meanings, making it easily relatable to the audience.
"... fire flies
hung in the air
white line
guide a vacant stare
high tide
and high time to change
peace falls
with a southern rain
moon and meridians
no love is lost or won"
Some people believe that this type of ambiguity is overrated, but in fact, it's just the opposite; it's precisely this that shows a deeper understanding of not only music, but human nature. Further proof is their description of the central theme of "Woo" - relationships: "[i]nterpersonal, societal, political and global relations," [acuriovis.com]
Arguably my favorite song on the album is "Manifest Destiny." This track has more of reggae undertone than the others, reminiscent of Cipes and the People (review to come soon). In close second is the Jane's Addiction-esque "Lazy Bones."
I have to say, I was pretty impressed with the diversity of this album; it is definitely worth purchasing. The band itself has this great chemistry together, each avoiding drowning the others out or making their parts seem less significant. So, until you start downloading their music in a rabid frenzy, check out this behind the scenes clip from their YouTube channel.
Ninja Fish thinks this is great music to... party hard with.
Band Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ - Ninja Fish Music
Residence: Bethlehem
Members: Mike Matuczinski (vocals, guitar); Marty Csencsits (bass)
Website: aCurioVis.com
Influences: "It first started way back when I was at my grandmother's and I saw a Def Leppard video. For some reason, it flipped the switch in me," Matuczinski says.
Matuczinski says he was later inspired by the early '90s grunge movement, eventually branching out into the music of Red Hot Chili Peppers, PJ Harvey and Captain Beefheart, among others.
Sounds like: Matuczinski describes his sound as a cross-pollination of funk and rock, with a little bit of folk. "The new songs coming out now are more eclectic; there's a world influence in there, but we moved toward electric funk-rock," he says.
Set list: Matuczinski sticks to a set heavy on originals, with the occasional Tom Petty or Doors cover added to the mix. One of his favorite tunes is the song "Some Corner Store," which he says is a concept song inspired by a "Sesame Street" rhyming bit about a young boy who walks to the corner store to pick up groceries for his mother.
"It's also fun. It's danceable," he says of the song.
Know their roots: Matuczinski says he first picked up a guitar at the age of 14 and "jumped into a band and hopped around from there." He says he didn't get serious about music until his early 20s, including a stint performing in Philadelphia. "I got out of that and started doing my own thing and finding my voice," he says.
As for the band's name, Matuczinski says A Curio Vis has several meanings. "One meaning is an unusual force, which is what we think of music as. The other one is a 'curious faith.' The third one is an anagram of of the word 'vicarious,' which is how we like listeners to experience our music," Matuczinski explains.
The singer says he is currently taking time to record his sophomore album. A Curio Vis released their debut album, "Drawn Onward," last September. - http://www.lehighvalleylive.com
Discography
Drawn Onward - Released Sept 27 2011
A concept record that follows the entire life of a character. The music ages and morphs from the young and loud rock and roll to the old and pensive folk. The cycles and circles theme is also repeated over the album and in the artwork. Day and night, young and old, microcosm and macrocosm are things that seem very far apart until you realize there ultimately isn't much separating them.
Covers Vol 1 - Released February 22 2012
We follow up original records by having some fun and recording some of our favorite cover songs. This is volume 1
Woo - Released February 14 2013
Our second album "Woo" was released on Valentine's Day 2013 and delves into the general theme of relationships. Interpersonal, societal, political and global relations are all covered in the short, direct songs that make up the record.
Photos
Bio
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to perform at Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz at Musikfest 2015.
I am an original Groove, art-rock, funk, psychedelic, electronic, reggae (the list is ever growing) musician hailing from the Lehigh Valley, Pa. Influenced by music with a strong groove (Chili Peppers, the Police, Cake) as well as more artistic leanings (the Doors, Bjork, Capt Beefheart, PJ Harvey).
A few of the venues we've performed at are:
The ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
The Glass Studio at the Banana Factory
Pearly Baker's
The Funhouse
The Longswamp Tavern
Sarah St Grille
The Ship Inn
Peppercorn Pub
Michael Matuczinski: Guitar and Vocals
Band Members
Links
