The evolution of Makari has been interesting to watch. Formed in 2011, the Florida rockers released several EPs with two different lead vocalists before connecting with current frontman Andy Cizek in 2017.
Makari have experienced a rebirth of sorts with the addition of Cizek, releasing their first full-length album Hyperreal in 2018. The record was welcomed by both critics and fans alike, praising the melodic production and Cizek’s vocal chops. Listen to opening Hyperreal track “Better” if you want a song stuck in your head for days.
Makari released their second studio album Wave Machine back in March, again to positive reception. Wave Machine allows Makari to expand their sonic creativity — incorporating more synths and pop-punk/alternative layers to tracks like “Closer” and “Tidal Wave.”
Listen: Makari discusses new album, evolution and more
Cizek and Makari bassist and co-founder John Tomasso spoke to Ferndale Radio before their show at The Sanctuary in Hamtramck earlier this month. Wave Machine is a nice jumping on point for new Makari fans as it’s probably the band’s most accessible release to date. Cizek — who somehow also handles lead vocals for Monuments and Termina — feels Makari had more freedom when recording Wave Machine.
“I think, especially with Hyperreal when I first joined the group, I was really trying to prove myself and do the most,” Cizek said. “Satisfy all the technical junkies and…put every layer and every harmony and do almost too much. And then once I felt secure in the band, I realized I can just sort of leave some space and have one thing to focus on instead of 12 at the same time. And it doesn’t have to be about flexing your musicianship as much as it should be about great songwriting. So that’s what we focused on.”
Comparing current Makari to their early EPs like Sea Dreams might sound jarring if you’re a new listener — much like, say, hearing The Maine’s debut studio album Can’t Stop Won’t Stop and then their 2022 hit single “Loved You a Little” immediately after. But despite the change in style and vocalists, there are some constants with Makari according to Tomasso.
“So naturally, there’s always some stuff that carries over. Our first vocalist [Brandon Cullen] was not a very strong songwriter,” Tomasso said. “So what ended up happening was Kevin [Beljan], our drummer, took over a lot of those duties of lyric and melody writing. So as we’ve had transitions — like when we went to Spencer [Pearson], Kevin and Spencer wrote together. And then when Andy joined, Andy and Kevin, and now they have a great working relationship with the way that they get songs out and done.”
Listen to the entire interview using the media player above.
Makari’s latest album Wave Machine is available now. Learn more at makariband.com.
