If you’re in Hell …. Keep Going

I’m not sure who to attribute the “if you’re in hell … keep going” quote but once in a while, you meet someone who has actually lived it. It is a good reminder to anyone going through a tough time …. it is possible to come out the other side.

Meet Ko Kapches – aka KO

I’m passionate about live music and love to chat with and interview musicians. It is something you’ll see more of on the FaveQuest blog. It is perhaps because of this passion that a friend from Warner Music invited me out to see KO (consider this disclosure). KO is actually Ko Kapches and he grew up mostly on the street in Toronto and across the US. At the age of 14, he was a heavy drug user and even dealt the stuff. He was in and out of rehab and often ended back up on the street several times.

Thank you to Warner Music

Fast forward to last Thursday, October 8, 2009. He was playing a gig at the Live Lounge in Ottawa as an artist signed to Warner Music. Quite amazing I think and he’s not even close to being done. This guy is going places. It is hard to describe the type of music he plays … I would say it feels like urban folk. Straight ahead acoustic guitar, raw voice with a very rare groove … makes you want to move but not necessarily in a dancing way.

The only thing I would have changed is the backup music. He didn’t have a band with him and he played a recorded version on his Mac while he played guitar and sang live. I think he is strong enough to play totally acoustic … feels more real and would allow him to improvise more which is something I appreciate as a fan.

I didn’t get much of a chance to talk with him as he had to go back to Toronto that night for a video shoot the next morning. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to talk to him next time and share more of his story with you. In the meantime, check out the video I shot below  and check out his site http://ko-nation.com.

Have you heard of Ko before? What do you think? What do you want me to ask him if I get a chance to sit with him? Bring it!