Pacifico is the project/band of Matthew Schwartz.  I identify with a guy writing pop songs but never having a consistent band with whom to record and play.
The album would be at home amongst albums by Jimmy Eat World, Copeland, Richard Swift, Death Cab for Cutie and Starflyer 59.
Speaking of Starflyer 59, the album was produced Jason Martin and features other members of that band, and it sounds like it was recorded immediately after Dial M was recorded.  Same drum sounds, mixing and everything.  That’s not totally a good thing, as Schwartz veers into some Kinks-like territory toward the end, and some looser production should have been in order.
The first song, “(Prelude),” sounds way too much like a Richard Swift song.  And that’s a good thing.
The song title, “Caroline, Oh,” is cute.
“We Are the Easily Forgotten” is the best song on the album.  Super catchy.  Check it out.

Schwartz’s vocals are almost always doubled, and there are usually many more layers by the time he reaches his choruses.  I would like to hear him a little more bare; push back the instruments and allow a lone vocal to shine.  From my own recording experience, it seems like his singing to the other vocal layers stifles his desire to convey more emotion, at times.
“Salvation Army” sound a lot like a Sam Billen or Death Cab for Cutie song.
Overall, it’s a catchy and pleasant album.  I’m kicking myself for missing the band play at The Beaumont last week.

http://www.classifieds.myspace.com/view/1512155587

please tell a friend

Hello all,
1st and foremost the album "Thin Skin & An Open Heart" is finished and in my hands
the art work is being made as we speak
and will be release Tuesday August 4th 2009 worldwide
the CD release show is Friday July 31st
we will be playing the album in it's entirety live and will have it for sale before tuesday
The show will be at our favorite place to play Greene Street Club in Greensboro, NC (info on our page)
Starting today we will be releasing a new song a week from the album
so tune in every week to be the 1st to hear the whole album
to start things off we have released the 1st 2 tracks (plus the single)
you can get the track listing and the lyrics from our blogs
speaking of singles
check out the video for our 1st single "Caroline, Oh"
you can see it on our myspace and youtube pages
come out to a show
and don't forget while supplies last you get a free CD and sticker with every purchase you make from our store
Lastly our current drummer and good friend has decided to part ways with the band to spend more time with his family. He will be missed.
so we are now searching for not only a guitar player but a drummer now too
so if you or someone you know might be interested contact us for more info
I think thats it for now
thank you so much for your support
and look forward to hearing your responses to the album
and see you at a concert
matthew
www.myspace.com/pacifico
www.youtube.com/pacificorock
pacifico7@hotmail.com

do you have anything you have been waiting your whole life on?
it could be to graduate school, find your soulmate, get that job you've been waiting on, have a child...etc.
For me since i was 15 years old i have known what i was to do with my life.
i have known what i wanted.
and for 15 years i have been trying to make those dreams come true.
I have sacrificed alot for this purpose, giving up on school, moving several times, seeing friends and family less, missing important things.
But i have no regrets.
I have been following my dream, to be a musician.
You see, i once thought that that was a title that someone else had to give to you.
I thought i had to wait until an A&R Rep, a group of my peers, a record producer, an award ceremony...etc. reconized me as a musician before i, and much less others would see that i am.
It wasn't until i was at a crossroads that i realized how things work.
I had recently moved 2 states away from my comfort zone and life to play with a band full time only for them to dissolve within months of me uprooting.
It wasn't the 1st time friends/bandmates had let me down.
I mean i wouldn't have been playing with these guys in the 1st place if my band before them hadn't decided to call it quits.
I felt betrayed and alone
and my future seemed dire and unreachable
But, it was during this turmoil that i decided to make a decision that has changed my life.
First, i made a list of things i have always wanted to accomplish. Then I slowly started crossing them off. Some things were personal others were spiritual and the rest were for my career, Music.

For my career I decided to get a band together to play shows and would play as many shows as i could while still paying my bills and staying above the black.
But this band would be different. Rather than relying on people and being let down I decided not to rely on anyone but myself and God. I would book shows and if my friends could play then great i would have a band and if not i would play acoustic. This way no one would hold me back.
I then i decided i would record a full length album. To me a Full Length album was my "baby". Something i have always wished for but never knew if and when i would get it. I have been waiting for a record label to see my talent and sweep me off my feet and make all my dreams come true. But since all my run-ins with labels had left me with unfullfilled promises and empty dreams i decided i would get my dreams the way our ancestors did, through hard work. I started working as much and as hard as i could and set all my money aside for an album. And after 13 months, a trip to the west coast, $5000, countless prayers,  and a ton of sweat and tears. My baby has arrived. I recieved her in the mail Saturday.
And i couldn't be happier or prouder. I did it.
And once i have paid for the artwork and the label gets it made you will be able to hold her too.

and to add to that...i was able by the grace of God to record it with one of my musical icons
it just so happens that for those 15 years i have been waiting on my dream that the songbook that has gotten me through the most has been of musicians like Jason Martin of Starflyer 59.
I mean Pacifico covered his song "she is the queen" at our 1st show
and the name Pacifico it's self is due to him in some way
Pacifico came from the album and song off The Lassie Foundation's Pacifico album
which i picked up cause the singer/writer for the lassie foundation was the drummer at the time for Starflyer 59.

It was at that recording session with Jason Martin in California that i realized I am living my dream
We were discussing the music business and how it had effected us.
Somewhere it was said that "you are a musician, thats what you do. You cannot change that and neither can i so just go and do it."
I then realized that i am a musician and always had been. I never needed someones approval...i just needed mine.
I may never play at the Grammy's or have a number 1 CD
but i am what i am
and no one can change that
God gave me a gift and i will share it

So you see dreams don't always come true
but sometimes it's our fault for not getting them
for not realizing they are attainable
not all dreams are dropped in your lap
some you have to conquer
and this new album "Thin Skin & An Open Heart" is my battle hymn
i hope when you finally hear it that you will see all the hard work and love i have put into it.
thank you for your support and friendship without you i would be NOTHING
thank you
matthew

Pacifico - Facedown EP

Produced by Matthew Schwartz and Brandon Swafford at Swaff Studios in Villa Rica, GA | Mixed and mastered by Brandon Swafford at Swaff Studios in Villa Rica, GA

Pacifico is the continual gestation of singer/songwriter Matthew Schwartz. Pacifico’s new EP, Facedown, is the latest entry into an ongoing personal songbook of material. Last March, Pacifico released Anthology, a collection of work from the last five years.

Bear in mind that Pacifico is not a band but, perhaps, a state of mind; the songs akin to discovery, acceptance or confrontation. Facedown’s brevity is like an author who releases novellas or short stories about emotion and relationships versus an action-packed novel. The songs on Facedown come off indifferent – dissimilar colors or flavors, lingering long after the notes fade away. Each song stands freely against others, energetic yet frozen like a drawn out singular moment. Songs range from happy (“17th & Something”) to ethereal (“Facedown”), all brimming with sentiment.

Easily categorized as indie pop or Britpop, the notion that Schwartz is not a new distillation would tragically be taking the wrong road, betraying the vibe and clarity Schwartz creates pleasantly on Facedown. His pop songs are more than catchy melodies and choruses. The ideas are cozy, multi-fabricated quilts delivered with quaint layering.

Take the playful, childlike notes at the end of “17th & Something” or the underbelly of talking and noise on “I Fell in Love with a Ghost,” the latter of which recalls the esoteric qualities of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. Schwartz’s vocals sound like Elliot Smith meets Marc Bolan, with the strident climbing and falling of a Kinks song. “Ruby,” for example, is a simple happy and textured song. On it, Schwartz sounds like Stephen Duffy uttering tangential lyrics, like, “You call my name whenever everyone else seems the same,” and ending with the equally earnest, “All I ever wanted was love.”

While Schwartz is anything but happy-go-lucky, Facedown does its job, leaving the listener wanting and wondering about more from Schwartz. (Allalom Music)

www.pacificorock.com

One to watch: Schwartz keeps his feet in different waters

By Ryan Snyder

Hey guys and gals,
It's another year. And as a matter of fact it's actually Pacifico's 10^th year. Pacifico Started in August of 1999 and through those 10 years has put out 2 Ep's, and 1 compilation; been featured on major radio stations, had music featured on MTV, and a video on FUSE.

ALBUM
This year will mark the release of our 1^st Full Length record due out this spring. "Thin Skin & an Open Heart" consists of 12 brand new songs written and recorded by us and was produced by Jason Martin of Starflyer 59 fame. It features musicians from Project 86, Stavesacre, Starflyer 59 and had preproduction done by members of Manchester Orchestra.

BAND
I got a new band to play shows made up of bass player Wes Clifton and Drummer Robbie Adkins. We have started booking regional tours and this summer we have plans to play more national shows and festivals. (We are also in the process of looking for a lead guitarist and if possible keyboardist, so if you know anyone that might be interested please have them contact us.)

SHOWS
Below is the current list of shows we have booked and have more on the way…if you don't see your town or venue though let me know and I will make sure to try my best to book one there.
1.13.09 Pacifico / Shallow Palace @ The Garage Winston Salem, NC
1.16.09 Pacifico @ Elliott's Revue Winston Salem, NC
2.06.09 Pacifico @ Luna Bean Wilson, NC
2.07.09 Pacifico & Oso Optimo @ The East Coast Opera House Wilmington, NC
2.28.09 Pacifico / Shallow Palace @ The Real Gypsy Greenville, SC
3.06.09 Pacifico @ Elliott's Revue Winston Salem, NC

MERCH
We do have plans to have a new merchandise coincide with the release of "Thin Skin", but as for now we have all the current available Pacifico merch on our myspace as well as music on itunes, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon, Discrevolt…etc. and while supplies last you we are giving away a free T-shirt, CD and sticker with every order. So order now.

MEDIA
You can check out promo pictures, us in the studio, and at shows as well as stream music, read lyrics, see the track listing for the new album and other blogs on our myspace(if you aren't our friend please add us). We also have a youtube page with live videos (including new songs), me recording vocals in the studio, our video for xMultiplyx, and me playing new songs on the piano. (if you have any video or pictures of the band we would love to see them…just email them to us)

MAILING LIST
If you are reading this and want to receive Pacifico updates in your email box just email us at pacifico7@hotmail.com and we will add you…if you are reading this and you didn't want an email just email the same address and we will remove you from the our mailing list.

Thanks for being a friend and fan
Your support and prayers have meant a lot
I hope to hear from and see you at a show soon
Tell all your friends about us
write us anytime
matthew
www.pacificorock.com
www.myspace.com/pacifico
pacifico7@hotmail.com