vienne

What's the meaning behind the band's name?
Named after significant decisions made at the Council of Vienne in 1312. Some old ways were traded in for new ways, and it carries meaning for us as a band as we would like to do the same. Plus it looks and sounds good.

How did the band start?
I (Jonathan) was doing the solo artist thing under the name "Vienne" for a year or so along with my good friend and producer Chris Franz. Our friend Kameron, who is from Atlanta, GA and was living there at the time, called me and said he wanted to play drums for me in my band. I tried to tell him it wasn't a band but he pretty much convinced me it needed to be. So Chris, Kameron and I started rehearsing together in need of a bass player. We desperately wanted our friend Wayne Miller to join us, but he was in another band and seemed out of our reach. We set up a meeting with him anyways and the next week made it official and started writing together.

What's the message to transmit with your music?
We want to provoke curiosity within the listener. We want to provide space and sound to accompany the journeyman/woman in exploring beauty. And we just want to be storytellers.

What's your method at the time of writting a song?
We search for whatever moves us. It's all in the feeling, whether in the music or in the lyrics. It always starts with an idea that is brought and explored because each of us shares in the hunt for soul.

Who are your music influences?
Daniel Lanois, Doves, Travis, Coldplay, Nels Cline, Beatles, MuteMath

What plans do you guys have for the future?
We are in the middle of writing and demo'ing a new record that will be out in 2011. We want to push ourselves into new territory as musicians and songwriters, and we trust that people will respond to that.

What has been the funniest prank you guys have been or took part of while on tour or after a show?
We keep the atmosphere pretty light. There's always a running joke that's in action, no extremely notable pranks. But we do sing some karaoke from time to time. Our YouTube videos give you a glimpse of what I'm referencing.

If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour, and the help is 65 miles away from where you guys are, who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, who would you eat first?
We would obviously send Kameron for help cause he's a vegetarian and would probably just eat the grass along the way... or Wayne cause he's the new guy.
And we would eat Chris first because he would provide the most sustenance.. He's the biggest and his biceps are like porterhouse steaks.

Which country would you guys love to play?
France, Japan, Italy, Australia and Argentina.

With which bands would you guys love to share the stage?
Aqualung, Phoenix, Athlete, Kings of Leon, MuteMath, Miley Cyrus.

Are you guys happy with the direction the band is going?
Very happy with the direction we are going. Happy mostly because it is very free flowing and spontaneous, while staying intentional.

Check out more: http://www.myspace.com/vienne - Vents Magazine

vienne is the musical brainchild of singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Jonathan Korszyk. On his self-titled debut ep vienne—set for release this March 16, 2010—Jonathan delivers a spectrum of broad musical layers, placing melody-driven pop elements among ambient musical spaces.

Born and raised in Southern California, Jonathan's first venture into songwriting came at the age of 15 with a second-hand piano and an introduction to The Beatles. It was at this time that Jonathan began to craft songs with his unique take on the pop-rock landscape. His growing interest and involvement in music quickly led to performances in churches, camps, coffee shops, and festivals all over the United States as Jonathan continued to discover his unique voice.

"I focus a lot of my time on crafting songs with atmosphere and approachability," explains Jonathan. "I try not to rely too much on any overly-familiar sonic trademarks that I grew up around. I'm always trying new things while referencing influential staples like the Beatles, Queen and U2."

In late 2008, two vienne songs were featured on prime time television shows Gossip Girl (CW) and Chuck (NBC). By early 2009, Jonathan Korszyk had entered the studio with producer/guitarist Chris Franz to create vienne's debut ep.

As a writer at heart, Jonathan's sonic creations stem from the process of taking words and fitting them to music. Often times he finds himself co-writing with artists of differing musical genres to expand his lyrical, topical and musical perspectives. The results of his method and vision are apparent among the seven songs that appear on vienne.

"These songs are about dreaming, love and hope," says Jonathan. "My lyrics are written to inspire, encourage and to stir up the lover in the listener. I'm excited to share my music and am humbled by the opportunity to do so with so many."

vienne is set for release on March 16, 2010. Jonathan will soon announce a number of live appearances to celebrate the ep's release this year.
- antiMusic.com

An eclectic arrangement of emotions driven by passionate words of hopefulness and devotion, Vienne is the seven-song digital EP written, arranged and performed by Jonathan Korszyk.

Born and raised in Orange County, Korszyk began his musical endeavors at the ripe age of 15, playing piano and writing songs. Artists from across the board inspired him, from Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Aqualung, to Mozart and Chopin.

Throughout Vienne, soothing melodic tones are accompanied by lyrics of love and inspiration. While stimulating tempos draw in the listener with poetic lyrics, soft beats help one to relax and daydream.

Similarities between Korszyk and notable bands such as The Fray and Coldplay are apparent, with easy listening compilations and pop singer talents.

In 2009, Korszyk’s song, “Be Alright,” won the SongwriterUniverse “Best Song of the Month” for December. “Be Alright” is also one of two songs from Vienne that were showcased on prime-time television shows in 2008. “Be Alright,” co-produced by Korszyk and produced by Chris Franz, an LA producer and guitarist, was featured on Gossip Girl. This is a sweet and touching song that holds tight to a love between two people. The song starts off soft and quietly builds with expressive emotions.

The track “Tales” was also featured on NBC’s Chuck in 2008. “Tales,” is the first track on Vienne, and rightfully so. It is an uplifting song that begins with an upbeat tempo and optimistic lyrics. Singing about a revolution in time, the listener is immediately elevated by the excitement in Korszyk’s lyrics.

Korszyk is a songwriter who takes anticipatory words and pieces them in between the written music.

“These songs are about dreaming, love and hope. My lyrics are written to encourage and stir up the lover in the listener. I’m excited to share my music and am humbled by the opportunity to do so,” Korszyk said in his album. - Daily Titan

Jonathan Korszyk, a talented alt./pop singer/songwriter/pianist (based in Los Angeles) who helms the music project Vienne, has won the SongwriterUniverse “Best Song Of The Month” Contest for December, for his song “Be Alright.” Korszyk has been working on his 7-song digital EP Vienne, which will be released next March (2010).

“Be Alright ” is a thoughtful, modern pop/rock ballad which is reminiscent of Coldplay’s graceful, melodic style. This piano-based song starts softly, and then builds emotion into the first chorus and throughout the song. This recording provides a good showcase for Korszyk’s expressive, heartfelt vocals. “Be Alright” was skillfully produced by Chris Franz, an L.A.-based producer & guitarist, and it was co-produced by Korszyk.

Korszyk was born and raised in Orange County, CA; his parents are both from Argentina. He started to learn piano at age six, but it was when he was 15 that he seriously began playing piano (classically-trained) and writing songs. Korszyk was inspired by listening to Bob Dylan, the Beatles and Aqualung, and to classical composers such as Chopin and Mozart. Notably, he was home-schooled, so he had a lot of time at home to study music and practice piano.

After finishing high school, Korszyk attended a Bible school in Southern California, where he studied religion and philosophy. He plans on finishing the four courses needed to graduate, but he is now focused fulltime on his music career. “In late 2008 and into 2009, things really started to happen, in terms of music opportunities and connections,” explained Korszyk. “I went to an artist retreat and connected with Chris Franz, and we decided to do a project together. We just finished our 7-song EP Vienne (written by Korszyk and produced by Franz), and we are also working on other projects.”

Two of the Vienne songs have already been placed on major TV shows. “’Be Alright’ was on Gossip Girl (on the CW channel), and ‘Tales’ appeared on the NBC-TV show, Chuck,” said Korszyk. I’m pleased to have a relationship with the Chop Shop music supervision company, which placed the songs on these shows.”

Currently, Korszyk is looking forward to the March release of his EP, and he is putting a band together. “The next step is to create a strong live show – I want to replicate the EP’s sound live,” he said. Korszyk is also pleased to be working with manager Laura Worley. “She hits the pavement, getting the word out there on Vienne and my songs.”

“I just love writing songs – I write songs every day,” added Korszyk. “I like writing for different projects, and I want to get more songs placed in film & TV.” - SongwriterUniverse Magazine

Jonathan Korszyk aka Vienne, is a very good recording artist. Any record label's
dream, Vienne has everything that is required to be a serious rock star; the music, the lyrics, and the guy can flat out SING!

Wasting no time, Vienne gets right into it with some of the best songs available today. So good, in fact, that some of his songs can be heard on hit TV shows like "Gossip Girl" (song: Be Alright), and "Chuck" (song: Tales of a Thousand Tears).

My favorite song is "Weight of the World," not only because it sounds great, but
because it's real life. Vienne is worthy of a Grammy, Billboard, MTV, and any other
music award available to great music artists.

But hey, don't take our word for it...go see for yourself. BUY THIS GUY's MUSIC, and help a true artists keep making music.

What is your ultimate goal with your music?
The ultimate goal for my music is to connect with listeners and inspire them to think, feel and experience beyond the confines of their current reality. And if that doesn't happen, to simply nod their head along with great tunes that they like for some reason or another. --- Vienne - IAE Magazine