Rising Stars: Meet Paul Seiz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Seiz.

Hi Paul, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
During the pandemic, I was crushed that I wasn’t able to perform with the regular members of my band. We stayed in touch and sought out performance opportunities that were outside, chiefly in expansive spaces. Out of that time, we developed a concept called Songwheels, a band that interacted with the audience via text. It’s super fun, and we’ve kept it going into 2021, even establishing a residency for Songwheels with B&B Theaters and accepting invitations to play private events, weddings, and galas. musiKCisalive is now the event business I run with my wife Brooke, the lead singer of our pop-jazz duo, A Couple Duets. Both Songwheels and A Couple Duets are part of the services we offer, in addition to DJing and dueling pianos through Howl At The Moon. Brooke and I live in Overland Park with our three children, Ori (drummer), Tobin (keyboardist), and Indigo (singer).

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Pushing through the pandemic was emotionally and physically draining for performing artists of all stripes, I’m grateful for the friends and family who supported my family during the tumultuous times, and I took up a temporary job as substitute music teacher in KC and OP. Hardest job of my life! I gained new respect for educators, especially the ones who showed up to teach America’s children during a horrific crisis.

I sometimes refer to the first Songwheels shows as the “we-refuse-to-give-up” shows because my bandmates had such a drive to keep performing. I’m happy I never gave up on music, and we never gave up on each other.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Songwheels – A unique party band that gives live access online to its interactive song menu and banters with the audience via text. The line-up changes every show, so we’re able to tailor the music selections to the strengths of the performers.

DJ PJS – Dj specializing in children’s entertainment, including school parties, assemblies, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs

A Couple Duets – Pop-jazz duo with a unique aesthetic invoking the mod chic of the 1960’s. Also able to crank up the party tunes to get the dance floor full.

Dueling Pianos – Paul has been the regional entertainment director for Howl At The Moon for nearly eight years. The downtown location is available for private parties, and the Howl2Go wing of the company specializes in off-site parties, which Paul also manages.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The largest challenge is making sure our industry is pandemic-proof for next time. Some entertainers have embraced the streaming world, while others (like myself) thrive on in-person communities. Being able to pivot between these modes will be key, especially as large conventions have scaled back their in-person operations. However, this does pose opportunities for many Americans who were already challenged to travel, including many with illnesses or disabilities. Providing live entertainment services for those folks was a greatly untapped market until now!

Contact Info:

• Email: paulseiz@mac.com
• Website: www.musiKCisalive.com 
• Instagram: @acoupleduets
• Facebook: acoupleduets
• Twitter: @Paul-seiz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtfVLqk7LX1QoRVRY4W3DTQ

Image Credits:
Bryan Alford