A finalist in the Independent Music Awards for the 2006 New Age Song of the Year, Jimm Motyka's style is defined by a touch of new age, hint of pop, and underlying tone of progressive rock. His music will be featured in the upcoming movie, “The Bride and the Grooms”, set to premiere in Cleveland this April 26th.
Motyka is looking forward to 2010, anticipating a new digital-only release. Realizing this is the fastest way to get the new music to his listeners, "In The Waking Dream", will mark the first time that Motyka will be working with other studio musicians as a solo artist. He’s added that this initial release will be followed up with the actual CD release.
Motyka comments:
"This is something I've wanted to do for quite some time, but needed to vibe when the time was right to bring other musicians in. I cannot wait to see what can happen in bringing in elements of a full band, since the songs have been written and arranged for this very thing. This will be a first in my solo endeavors, so it's exciting and I cannot wait for the fans of my music to hear another aspect of how I compose. I’m anxious, yet expecting good things to happen with this release."
History of the Artist:
An established musician within the Cleveland area, Motyka has played with Catalyst, Amon-Ra, Blue Llama Parade, and the Byron Nemeth Group (BNG).
In 2004, he decided to dedicate his talents towards his solo career, of which he was amassing a number of self-penned tunes, just waiting for the world to hear.
Large venues, church stages or small coffee houses, Motyka pulls his audience into the intimacy of his songs, lyrics, and personality. He has opened for Tom Jones and Etta James (as a solo artist/Blossom Music Center). He's also opened for Yes (as a member of BNG), and Dream Theater and Rik Emmitt (Triumph) as a member of Amon Ra. Every song has a story behind it and Motyka finds it important to share that, so the audience can fully interpret and enjoy the song as it was intended.
The release of "Subject & Predicate", Motyka's first solo CD, gave his listeners a glimpse of another musical side of his creativity, which had been overlooked within the band settings. "S&P" touched on a bit of pop, jazz, and has neo-classcial undertones. In short, Motyka describes this release as something unique, but with a familiar sound.
With a sense of neo-classical overtones, which meld classical, pop, jazz, and progressive rock. Motyka jokes that his "classical music" influences are Styx, Kansas, ELO, Alan Parsons Project, Supertramp, Elton John, and the Moody Blues. He typically tells people that he's not classically trained, but calls himself "classic rock" trained.
That progression led to the 2006 release, titled "In A Sense Of Innocence". This release is stripped down, echoing a 70's pop radio format of vocals and piano. He does mention this release has three instrumentals, to bridge the gap between the two releases. What listeners will find is Motyka venturing back to his lyrical roots, with his uplifting and introspective songs.
The CD was recorded in Cleveland, Ohio at Ante Up Audio, on their Neve board. This was the same board that was used to record, "We Are The World" in the mid-80's. An arduous task, in coming to the completion of this release, the final product was well worth the minor setbacks.
"This release is a continuation of my developing style and sound," comments Motyka. He follows, "I would like to continue in the path established by Roger Hodgson, Elton John, and Steven Curtis Chapman, in the sense of retaining a great melody with lyrics that touch the heart and soul. This is only the beginning of the many various paths my music is going to take."
For more info, visit his web site at:
http://www.jimmmotyka.com
