A True Craftsman

The word “craft” is missing from music these days. Whether it’s in the bile that shows like American Idol produce, or whether it be the next big thing that online media outlets like Pitchfork push down our throats, craftsmanship is hard to come by these days.

Chris Koza, on the other hand, is a true craftsman. It’s easy to tell. When you catch him live, you can tell that the songs have been thought about and thought through, enough so that the songs are tight yet they flow freely.
Koza has a great deal of knowledge of what works and what does not, at least for him.
On his latest release, though maybe not as straightforward as his live shows, the craft is definitely ever-present.

But what’s so nice about his music, specifically style-wise, is that he does not need to be the next Death Cab or the next depressed singer-songwriter. He just tries to be a regular guy and, by golly, it works.
HPR: Did you grow up in the Midwest or the Twin Cities region?
Chris Kosa: I am originally from Portland, Oregon, and have lived in Minneapolis for pretty much the last 4 or 5 years. But I didn’t seriously pursue being a songwriter and musician until I was a Twin Cities resident about 4 years ago. I’ve spent some time in New York City as well.

How has the area affected your music? It seems like a pretty strong influence, both musically and lyrically.

I feel like the Twin Cities are a comfortable place to live, and the resources and support systems available for artists and musicians are quite numerous. When I started out playing shows, I was always able to find a coffee shop or some little stage to perform on, whether or not the sound was good, or if anyone was there.

I have felt both encouraged and challenged, and very inspired by the arts culture the Cities has to offer.

One other thing is that you don’t have to work 80 hours a week here in order to keep a roof over your head or food in your belly, unlike some friends I have in other cities where the cost of living is higher. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, I have found it possible to devote time to my craft.

How do you view your style of music and the acceptance of critics, especially in the Twin Cities? Is it something that you think about or just brush off?

I am a songwriter who sometimes likes to write simple songs, and other times I chase something more ambitious. I don’t have any apologies about it. I find that I can maintain my drive as long as I follow what I find to be interesting and inspiring regardless of what critics or anyone else might think otherwise

How tough is it nowadays for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) musicians like you? The touring (or just finding a good gig that pays more than beer)? The work? The writing?

Touring is difficult when you are a self-supported and generally unknown artist outside of a little bubble in the sense that the budgets are small and costs are growing. But if we don’t do it, someone else will, and now I think it is trying to be smarter with the shows. We aren’t going to go to San Antonio for a one-off for a couple pitchers.

I have never known any other way than DIY, so I don’t know what its like to have a big budget propelling stuff out there. I think there are a lot of opportunities for DIY artists and those will only continue to grow. The key is getting people who only know big Hot 40 pop music to recognize that they’ve got a treasure trove in their own backyards of songwriters and musicians who might give them something more to think about.

Amen, my brother, amen.

If You Go

Who: Chris Koza
Where: Aquarium
When: Wed, Aug 6, 10 p.m.
Info: (701) 235-5913