Categories
Arts & Music

Gimme Five! Marc Kuzio of Coastal Vision

“Are you anxious?” asks Coastal Vision, the dastardly catchy indie-pop outfit out of Cary. Guitarist Marc Kuzio, bassist Kevin Lawless and drummer Dale Truman may not prove any direct help, but their frenetic, summer-tinged music is sure to be a welcome distraction.

This three-piece is ready to crash onto your best beach music playlist, but can one of their own make a splash in handling our five question showdown? See for yourself after the jump!

1. If your band were a beach toy, what would it be?
We would most definitely be a beach ball. I bounce uncontrollably and am so fidgety, dancey, and sporatic; all simultaneously and all continuously. The three of us are a gang of scraggly, semi awkward guys (although if asked personally, none of us would ever admit to it) all very light and eccentric. Live, we flail around as if we’re getting smacked around repeatedly, so the beach ball naturally seems pretty suitable.

2. What instigated the choice of band name?
I always hate this question because I can never generate a clever enough response. I wish I had some witty and intriguing story involving immense meaning and inspiration but I think the name is quite honestly pretty simple. We were originally known as “The Dead Vibes” because our tracks and compositions had a very positive pointless-pop feel ,but included very cynical, lyrical undertones about ex girlfriends that were almost misogynistic. The rest of the band hated the name so we scrapped it. I spent the summer of 2010 alone in my hometown of Syracuse, NY ( I had just moved to NC the year prior) and while I tore at my skin from boredom, I realized how much I actually had begun to love NC and the warm, welcoming climate as opposed to the bitter, gray, asphalted-asshole tundra of upstate NY. There were no colors, no buzz, no vibes like I felt in the triangle. I had also become infatuated with the growing nautical trend in music and fashion and all I wanted to do was just live like a fish. Day dreamed about days on the lake, hours underwater, And burning pale skin under a summer sun while anxiously fretting over the girl I desired most. The name just kind of came out. At the time I had been listening to Surfer Blood’s “Astro Coast” pretty religiously so I guess the inspiration fundamentally stems from them, but ultimately I think it comes from our love of the Triangle and sensations of warm aspirations while daydreaming about the coast. The only awful part is we are forever labeled a beach band or “surf rock” People say “oh yeah, this is like a modern hip dick dale” but I couldn’t even tell you one of his songs. Hopefully this new album may change that.

3. Describe your typical band practice.
LOUD. We call our practice space “The Closet” It’s literally this tiny old room in our Drummer, Dale,’s parent’s house. He comes from a very musical family so the room has two Huge drum sets pressed together that occupy about half the space. An old Roland keyboard takes up about another third leaving our bassist, Kevin and I to squeeze into our respective corners. Many arguments have been made over which one of us has to play directly next to dale (which results in the blasting of one’s ear drums and more restricted movement). Old guitars, CD racks, and drum sticks litter the walls and floor and our loaned PA is turned to full volume to monitor vocals through oftentimes piercing feedback. This description sounds repelling to some, but it’s literally a second home to me and my biggest location of inspiration. I cannot complete a song unless I finish writing it in that room. Our practices are wild and energetic. Some people claim that our energy on stage is a “Gimmick” or just for show, but it’s honestly nothing compared to the rampage we stir up in our practice space when its just the three of us. Our practices are basically the three of us setting up, turning up loud as hell, and playing the first thing that comes to mind. Our chemistry is almost eerie in a twilight zone way. Songs just kind of flow out on their own and write themselves whenever we practice in here. We kind of fight a battle with our instruments and jam everything out. Then we pick out the pieces we like and play and mold them into songs we love. If we don’t practice in here, it’s just not the same.

4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that would really surprise people?
My favorite things to listen to are anything noisy. If its dirty and loud I will put it on repeat for ages. I think many people could quickly identify our contemporary influences such as “The Love Language” “Walkmen” and “Tokyo Police Club” but I’m just really obsessed and intrigued with the music before me; of multiple decades and all spectrums. I’m pretty heavily inspired and in adoration of the 50’s and 60’s ; The fundamental roots of pop laid out here with gorgeous melodies and crooning vocalist using the most interesting phrasing. I’m a huge fan of The Everly Brothers, I picked up a few of their records and they are constantly on rotation in my apartment. I remember when I was younger hearing their hit “Cathy’s Clown” for the first time, the harmonies sent my senses berserk. I’m also a total swoon for Connie Stevens. That airy voice just gets me. And then on the complete contrary, I’m also really huge into cult groups like Joy Division. The eccentricity of Ian Curtis and the minimalistic, almost sloppy guitar riffs just shock my endorphins into spazz mode. The same applies for infamous shoegaze and grunge bands like “My Bloody Valentine” and “Sonic Youth” Although it’s bizarre that some of the music I love most sounds nothing like how we do. You’re not going to listen to our song “We Go Out” and be reminded of “Teenage Riot” or “When You Sleep” haha. The three of us are just music geeks and listen to anything stimulating.

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How ’d that turn out?)
I was such a spazz as a little kid, although I mean not much of that has changed, but I always dreamed of being a “famous author” I used to just fill notebooks and notebooks full of the most bizarre stories and I basically lived inside my own head. Then I got older and become heavily into skateboarding and that whole culture. I always had my nose buried inside a copy of Thrasher or Transworld and would read the entire issues cover to cover. All I wanted to do was be a journalist for those magazines. I studied the history of skating and knew every stat and every spot. I fantasized about hopping into a dirty van with my idols and going on tour like a gypsy, writing interviews and articles about the life….I guess it was like an alternative “Almost Famous”. Then after breaking my arm several times to the point where I can’t touch my right shoulder, I decided to pursue music. It was actually skate videos that got me into more “indie” artists (for lack of a better word) and now I’m hoping if this band dies out, I’ll find my way into a cubicle somewhere in the Spin Magazine headquarters.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Surf on over to Kings Barcade next Tuesday, July 24th to see Coastal Vision live. And, by all means, give Marc a high five when you see him!