Distant Cousins

The three songwriters/producers who make up DISTANT COUSINS have more than enough musical and personal connections to justify the name of their band. And their chemistry was so strong that their first official writing session resulted in a spirited song appropriately called "On My Way."

"The excitement and enthusiasm of our working together was immediately in the air," says Ami Kozak. "We really felt like we were on our way." Based in Los Angeles, DISTANT COUSINS first formed in late 2012 when Kozak and Dov Rosenblatt, childhood friends from the East Coast, decided to collaborate.

At a private concert, they performed "When We Love," a song that Dov had written with Duvid Swirsky, another longtime friend, musician and third member of the band.

Inspired, Ami offered to bring it into the studio to record and produce the track. The sessions that followed were just as fruitful as the first, resulting in an EP's worth of alternative folk pop tunes that are vibrant and heartfelt, and will sway your soul to the brighter side of life.

Dov, Ami and Duvid each bring to the collaboration impressive musical resumes.

Duvid's musical roots formed growing up surrounded by music in a small village in Israel. He co-founded the internationally renowned band MOSHAV, who have sold over 100,000 albums worldwide. Signing to Sony JMG in 1999 Duvid has created music with Grammy award winning musicians and producers such as Ron Aniello, Cliff Norrell, Rami Jaffee and Arron Embery.

Dov began his professional career in college with the band Blue Fringe (who often played on the same bill as MOSHAV) releasing three independent albums and touring the world for eight years. He co-fronts LA folk duo The Wellspring, whose licensing success includes placements in hit television shows HOUSE MD and COUGAR TOWN and they recently scored all original music for a comedy film called 'COFFEE TOWN.'

Ami began his career working independently for international advertising agencies and music houses composing music for companies such as Hallmark, Apple, Toyota, Cadillac, Chevy and Best Buy. He released an EP as a solo artist with Mophonics Music and Sound/Universal Music Publishing, and recently was featured performing his seasonal single "It's That Time of Year" live for HGTV's national holiday promo.

Combined experience and complimentary musical and personal world-views have blended seamlessly for DISTANT COUSINS.

"I love the synergy of this group because we really do each bring something different to the music," says Dov, "Ami's production and engineering chops are stellar." Ami adds, "Dov helps to get our collage of ideas to a solidified song. He pulls us through the inevitable hurdles and obstacles a new song will always present." Both love that Duvid's raw and authentic approach brings a down-to-earth sensibility to the music. "He has managed to maintain a real organic connection to music throughout his years of experience," says Ami, "I love his instincts and the soul that he brings."

In their short time as a band, DISTANT COUSINS is already showing signs that they are "on their way." 3 songs off their debut self-titled EP (released on iTunes in 2014) have already been licensed. ???Raise It Up??? was featured on hit TV shows Graceland and Criminal Minds. ???Fly Away??? was heard on The CW???s Reign, and ???Are You Ready??? (On My Way) was featured in the Jason Bateman/Tina Fey film, This Is Where I Leave You.