Maki started his music career playing in back rooms, bars and bowling alleys in and about Detroit. Some of those stages were big and others were on the floor pushed up against a corner. All genres of music were played in solo, three piece and show band arrangements. Maki brings vocals, guitar, bass & synth.
Papp is traditionally trained on piano. He played in several Detroit groups covering rock, pop and jazz venues. He bought one of the first Kurzweil synths made and there was no looking back. Papp brings vocals, keyboards, bass and drums
Where are you based?
Seattle Washington
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been in bands and studios for decades, starting all the way back to high school days. Then, like usual, the shit hit the fan. It was a life changer. I gave up everything, sold my guitars, pawned the recording equipment, gave away the rest. I moved around Detroit to Chicago to L.A. which was actually a step down in honesty and creative opportunity (go figure). I kept finding myself surrounded by insane people and suicides and killers, I just walked away to find a different way of being. I’m not saying it was all bad news, I had joy, love and a non-denominational spiritual journey. When I moved to Seattle a beautiful woman gave me an acoustic guitar saying ‘remember who you are.” I set down roots and started making music.
What genre would you consider your music to be?
The latest album ‘Shaky Ground’ is indie rock. Papp and Maki co-wrote the songs and recorded it old-school style, single take per song. The upcoming ‘Demoration’ album is cyber-rap avant-garde with a beat. I also compose for indie film soundtracks, so that pulls in more cinematics.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I think every kid understands the intrinsic value of music. Even outdoor animals will pause to listen. As I developed I never desired to be yesterday’s pop star idol of idiocy. What inspired me toward music was more internal drive than any of its economics.
What are your biggest musical influences?
We all started together influenced by the historically deep south blues masters. They have the rhythm, beats and attitudes necessary to create a song that sings with soul and troubles. And then came the electric guitar.
Are you signed to a label or are you an independent artist?
Natalis Group is the artist publishing label for Maki and friends: natalisgroup.xyz
What have been the biggest challenges in your music career?
Able to stay alive longer than what I thought.
How many songs or albums have you released to date?
At this date there are three albums, two EP’s, eight short-films with international film festival awards.
Can you tell us a few things about your latest release?
Maki and Papp collaborated several years with the goal of creating songs that reverberated the sounds they grew up with. When Tabscott showed up in Maki’s tiny studio, a microphone was immediately put in front of him with the recorder running. We’re talking about factory work, hackers, seekers, lions and lost love. The personal emotions that come from living it, everyday. Feels like walking on shaky ground.
Any plans for new music or upcoming projects we should know about?
The upcoming release of new songs into the ‘Demoration’ album. The next EP in the series levitates in the cyber-city landscape with “I.M.Q.” and “Zip Gunn”. You can see all the current releases and dope on: natalisgroup.xyz/demoration/
