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Katharsys Theory on the road to becoming a national rock band

Courtesy Photo Katharsys Theory band members, from left to right, are Carlos Vivero, Kevin Sytek, KC Mason, and Mike Cohoon.

ALPENA — This local hard rock band keeps working its way higher, with no end in sight.

Katharsys Theory is being considered for a slot at one of Michigan’s most renowned rock festivals –Upheaval Fest. The festival will take place on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16 at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids.

“For a small-town band to play alongside national acts, such as Breaking Benjamin, Mudvayne, Disturbed, and Three Days Grace, would be a tremendous milestone,” KT lead singer and guitar player Carlos Vivero said in a press release.

Band members include Vivero, Kevin Sytek on bass/vocals, Mike Cohoon on guitar/vocals, and KC Mason on drums. They started the band in June 2018.

“To have the opportunity to take the stage with some of the bands that I grew up listening to would truly be a dream come true,” Vivero added. “It would definitely be the next stepping stone of our music career.”

Katharsys Theory has managed to break through the Michigan music scene, and to gain a statewide following in the last three years. It is because of their dedicated fans that they are being considered to play at this festival, the press release stated.

“We were selected to be a part of what they call the Ambassador program,” Vivero explained. “They select a certain number of bands, and each of those bands are in charge of selling a certain number of tickets. The top three bands to sell the most tickets, from the beginning of the year until April 23, they get a slot. As of right now, we are one of the top three bands, but that has to be finalized.”

You can purchase tickets for Upheaval Fest through the band’s direct link — tixr.com/promoters/KATHARSYSTHEORY.Use promo code KATHARSYSTHEORY to save $5 at checkout per ticket purchase.

Vivero said he would classify KT’s sound as somewhere between hard rock and heavy metal, comparing their sound to other bands such as Breaking Benjamin, Killswitch Engage, Trivium, or Bullet for My Valentine.

Mason said being able to play in Upheaval Fest would be a great opportunity to get more exposure.

“It’d just get us more out there, and get us a bigger fan base to support us,” Mason said.

“Any place we play, there’s always a new audience, new eyes, new ears to get in front of,” Sytek said.

“This show would, sort of, be the next stepping stone in our career,” Vivero said.

All the guys have played in other bands prior to KT.

“We’ve played in multiple bands around town over the years,” Sytek said of the band members, who are all from the Alpena area, except for Vivero, who is originally from Mexico. He has been in Alpena for nearly eight years now.

KT enjoys playing their music, and hopes to be able to do more shows locally and throughout the state and surrounding areas.

“It’s more of a country crowd around here,” Sytek noted of the Alpena area. “But there’s a lot of metalheads around here that love our stuff.”

They held a show at the APlex last year, and over 300 people came, so they were happy to see that kind of interest and support.

“We had people from Washington, Florida, Ohio, come up just to see the show,” Vivero said.

KT is in the process of writing its second album, Vivero said.

“This album, we wanted everybody to collectively write the music,” he said. “And it’s been pretty awesome … I do believe that the true sound of Katharsys Theory is coming out in this album.”

Vivero explained that their lyrics are personal, and writing the music is much like therapy — a cathartic experience. Hence, their name.

“I usually write the lyrics, but I get suggestions from the guys the whole time,” Vivero said. “It’s really a collective effort.”

For more updates about the band, visit www.facebook.com/katharsytheory.

KT is also in the Detroit Music Awards this year, in the following categories: Outstanding Heavy/Hard Rock Artist; Outstanding Rock Recording; Outstanding Live Performance; Outstanding Vocalist (Carlos Vivero); Outstanding Guitar Instrumentalist (Mike Cohoon); Outstanding Percussion Instrumentalist (KC Mason); Outstanding Bass Instrumentalist (Kevin Sytek).

As far as voting goes, Detroit Music Awards members can cast their votes online at www.detroitmusicawards.net.

Know a local band/musician that should be interviewed for a story? Contact Darby Hinkley at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com.

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