Makari is an American rock band from Orlando, Florida that formed in 2011. The band's name is derived from the Gaelic word "makar," which means "bard" or "poet." While based in American rock, their sound mixes in alt-rock, pop punk, post-hardcore, progressive rock, and more. This band is highly malleable and talented.
Their use of emotional lyrics and instrumentals is mixed with the frontman, Andy Cizek's ability to show inflection in his vocals, as well as how beautifully melodic they are. The riffs from the guitars work in tandem with the vocals to create music that will have you feeling whatever emotion they want you to feel.
On June 11th, the band released their single "Speed Freak," and then on July 10th, just shy of one month later, they released their single "Stare At The Sun."
"Speed Freak" is a really well-done mix of rock and a new-age pop-punk at times with a little bit of a pop overlay all wrapped into one melodic package. This song's production is so nice and caught my attention right off the bat. The guitar riffs and vocals have an ambient feel to them that makes it feel at times like you're listening through the haze of a dream or from underwater, which is a touch that I personally love. The lyrics have a very adrenaline junkie feel to them but also have a double meaning; I think many of us can relate to being in a toxic relationship and how it can keep you staying around or coming back. An addiction all its own, and I think Makari portrays this well with "Speed Freak."
However, "Stare at the Sun" is very alt-rock blended with new-age pop-punk, and still they did this track just as well! The vocals take more of a stance here and are less melodic, but without compromising Cizek's skills. The riffs are more playful but stay true to their emotional songwriting type. This song is a really sweet love song lyrically, while being a little edgy still! This track allows the drums to come in a little more, too; this allows us to hear a discography that can produce for any genre they take on!
The music video for "Speed Freak" is its own cinematic adventure. With clips of the band playing in a white practice space with blue and magenta lighting that also makes them and the instruments take on the same color hues. Those clips blend in with shots of a white convertible car and frontman Andy, standing leaned on the hood with the car's lights off or sitting in the driver's seat. But by the first chorus, he's in the car speeding down the road and singing along, as flashes of the band playing and him standing where the car had been at the beginning, singing by himself. At the end, the car is back as he leans on the hood like before the chorus, but the car's lights are now on; this shuffles in between the scenes of the band playing and Andy driving as he sings along.
This video is shot and edited in a beautiful way. I love this aesthetic; it feels very dreamwave in style, like a lucid or even just a nostalgic dream. The lighting and editing that was done is amazing!
Photo Credit: Justine Yalch
To sum it up, I loved these tracks! I had heard some of Makari's work before, but now I have some of their music on my playlists and will make sure to have my eyes on them in the future!
I can't wait to see what genres they mix and match next and what visuals they put out! This band has me excited for more!
They also have some new merch designs out, so make sure you go check those out on Makari's website after you read here!
Meet Makari!
Andy Cizek – Lead vocalist
Matt Beljan – Guitarist
Eric Stewart – Guitarist
John Tomasso – Bass guitarist
Kevin Beljan – Drummer
