Original music can be hard to find in State College, but that won't stop the members of Kiva from creating their own music.

"We make up our own rules," said singer/guitarist Tracy Velazquez (senior-integrative arts). "I'm very much about doing whatever the hell I want."

Kiva is very new to the State College music scene, having only played two shows at Zeno's, 100 W. College Ave., over the past few months.

The band got started about six months ago when Velazquez met drummer Daryl Branford at the day care their daughters attend. She could tell that Branford was a musician on sight and asked him if he wanted to get together and play. Branford invited bassist Michael Klein (senior-film and video) to join them.

"Then we all just got together, jammed and came up with some completed songs," Branford said.

At the time, Branford was playing with Original Soul Project, which broke up in December.

All three have been in other bands, but, said Branford, "we definitely want this to be completely different from anything we've done before."

Velazquez describes Kiva's sound as "unique."

"It's definitely groove-oriented," Branford said.

Klein added, "It's original and upbeat."

As a woman fronting a rock band, Velazquez said that she wants to be the frontwoman who "actually plays an instrument and doesn't always sing pretty."

"We actually don't say, 'Tracy, you have to wear a mini-skirt tonight,' " Branford said.

Kiva got their name from when Klein was living in Arizona and his friend used to paint pictures of Native American kivas, underground chambers used for ceremonial purposes, with space ships in the skyline.

"I just thought it was cool so I brought it up and these two liked it," Klein said.

Velazquez added jokingly, "This is where we start the rumor that it's some sort of marijuana reference."

Because the three have only been together for a short time, Branford said, "I guess one of our main goals is to really create a sound. It's not really a sound yet because we haven't developed enough.

"For me personally, I don't feel I'm going to get anywhere by playing someone else's music," he said. "It all comes down to doing what you want. That's why we're doing it."

The band only plays original material, which is primarily written by Velazquez, who has been writing songs since she was 15.

"That was one of the reasons why it took so long for us to get out, because we don't play other peoples' music," she said.

Currently Kiva has 14 originals, with around 30 more in Velazquez' "stockpile."

"I write about whatever sparks me," Velazquez said. "Usually something will spark for me and I hear it in my head and I just get it out."

In November, the band recorded a seven-song demo, which they hand out at their shows and is also available at www.mp3.com/kivaband.

"I have never had more fun in the studio before," Velazquez said.

Branford agreed, "We were all relaxed and we were joking around. That was the most relaxed recording session I have ever been a part of."

With graduation looming for Velazquez and Klein, both are planning on staying in the area and pursuing a future in Kiva.

"Right now it's cool because we can take it as slow or as fast as we want to," Branford said. "Probably by the time summer rolls around, we'll have a full set."