Although MySpace has become a mostly forgotten corner of the Internet, for Maza Blaska, the site was the key to finding a producer.
“It’s kind of funny, because I went to Ohio University for a short time,” said Sam Corlett, lead singer and songwriter. “I went there for two quarters and then transferred to OSU, but Eddie (Ashworth) found us on MySpace. We also happened to be living with one of his former students. He liked our music and was looking for a project for a class, so we came down.”
After partnering up with Ashworth, an assistant professor in the School of Media Arts and Studies, Maza Blaska recorded their debut album, Storyteller, at OU.
Thursday, the band will make its return to Athens to premiere music off its new album. Yoni Mizrachi, guitarist and vocalist, said that they are looking forward to coming back to Athens to see Ashworth and the students they worked with and to experience Athens once again.
However, the six-member band has seen some changes since it started forming in 2008.
“Yoni and I started with curiosities about a band in 2008 and started writing with that project,” Corlett said. “When Yoni came back from studying abroad in Jerusalem, we started with the songs that he had written and then wrote some more.”
Maza Blaska will also join the We Are Columbus Music Showcase for Ohio X Southwest, a group of Columbus musicians and bands traveling to the South By Southwest music festival in March.
“We, along with around 12 other bands, are going to represent Columbus at the South By Southwest festival,” Corlett said. “Our performance at Front Room is the starting point to be considered a regional artist, which is what the festival wants, so this means a lot.”
Mizrachi said he hopes students will come out and listen to Maza Blaska’s music whether or not they know the music.
“I think it’s going to be a really good show,” he said. “We have a unique sound to share, and I think many students can enjoy it.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
If you go:
What: Emerging Artist Series presents Maza Blaska
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Front Room
Admission: Free
