Birth of moZaiKa

moZaiKa is no stranger to the world of independent music. The birth of moZaiKa has been an ongoing journey of creativity and identitiy, which the song "Follow in Me" aptly represents. Though the name and duo is new, the conception of the music (and now a metamorphosis of art meets music) first started in the early days with Me-Lee's solo project in 2000.

Starting off solo - discovery....

Me-Lee first became interested in electronic sounds and textures combined with classical instrumentation when she got her hands on a demo CD of Acid loops which happen to come free of charge with the ISIS sound card which she purchased way back in 2000, which is unfortnately now redundant  (God damn Isis Co. didn't upgrade to windows XP - damn you!) . Well when something is free it's certainly worth looking at! and so began her journey of working with electronci sounds and loops. Without giving it much thought, Me-Lee decided to record her first EP on her home PC and see what would happen which eventuated in the birth of the first EP (see pic on right).

Now, being a typical egocentric muso, Me-Lee didn't just want to produce CD, she wanted to perform in front of loving crowds (even if it's just a rent-a-crowd) and so she searched for a line up of violin (then Eva Katalinic) and cellist initially. Now fate would have it that she ran into an old Uni friend at a gig at the then Bar Broadway (in Sydney) who just happened to leave her band that day - and it just so happened she was a bass player. Chatting turned into exchange of phone numbers, turned into exchange of music and so Kylie became a permanent member of the band. Me-Lee also employed the drumming skills of her partner (Claude Hay) to start off the project. He artfully wired up 8 pads to his Yamaha DTX express drum brain and with a wide array of sounds he could emulate most of the sounds she created in the PC as well as give it the rock edge with an acoustic kick, snare, hats and splash.

Collective growth.....

After a multitude of gigs in the sydney scene (Excelsior Hotel, Bridge Hotel, Hopetoun Hotel, Bondi Hotel etc) and festivals (Surry Hills, Mascon, Newtown's Food and Wine) the name Me-Lee was well advertised in the Sydney indie scene. But after much confusion, the band decided that it was time to not just be called a person's name as it implied a solo act but to have a conotation of a band as well. Wanting to keep the Me-Lee name present as a some marketing had already being developed around it, the name "Me-Lee's Mosaic" was decided upon to represent the group collectively.

The band (now without a cellist as it seemed to conflict too much with the bass) was on it's way to record it's next EP, but ran into a few drummer problems along the way (Spinal Tap relived???!!!). First Claude Hay became busy with his own project, then a second male drummer - phenomenal player, though probably felt stifled hanging with 3 chicks and playing to a click track and then finally a female TV celebrity - who just got too popular on TV  and couldn't commit to an indie band (pity she couldn't take Me-Lee's Mosaic with her to the Grammys!). The EP was recorded despite all these problems (sometimes it's just better to move forward) harnessing the drumming talents talents of John Adams (the Drum and Bass on Track 5 makes your tongue hang out!). Then there is the fond fill in gigs (including the EP launch) with Daniel Degotardi metal/rock drummer extrodinaire who kindly gave his time whilst the band searched and searched for that perfect drummer to join the group.

The final jigsaw piece.....

The wait was well worth it. Monique joined Me-Lee's Mosaic in 2004 and it seemed it was happy days ahead.......... but as it happens, the orignal violinist, Eva found that destiny in Europe was awaiting her and her journey with music had ended for the time being...... But fate would have it that an violinist with an electric violin and a few guitar effects pedals as combing the Drum Media pages weekly looking to leap out of classical world and join the rock arena. So came along Mare. Me-Lee's Mosaic was complete with Me-Lee as pianist and singer, Mare on violin, Kylie on bass and Monique of Drums/loops

Demise of the ROCK..........

As creativitiy has a life of it's own, Me-Lee had to follow it's leading hand. Her compositioinal exploration grew along side with intertwining growth of 4 people's lives encompassing all aspects of humanity - love, life, work, music, money, time, friendship. It was time to move on so many different aspects for all four parties. Me-Lee's Mosaic was morphing away from a live rhthym section to sound and electronica more in depth. The rhthym section was no more.....

Re-birth

Mare and Me-Lee seem to run on a very similar wave length. Perhaps it's the classical type hard lined training combined with the sweet air in Blue Mountains, Katoomba. They combine their outlooks to life and creativity and formed moZaiKa. Me-Lee primarily works with the palette of sound whilst Mare's palette encompases both the violin and canvas.

The single "Follow in Me" speaks of following ones creative journey honestly, truthfully and persistently. With the jounrey from Me-Lee to Me-Lee's Mosaic to now moZaiKa, the song very much represents the need to just take the leading hand of the creating force within and close your eyes in excitement and glee.