Building a melody can be as simple as do-re-mi or as complex as multiple layers of sound built from one voice.
Quesnel musician Doug Koyama showcases his unique talent during Tuesday's Coldsnap Music Festival local line-up at Art Space, 1685 Third Avenue.
"The name I put on my music is improvised a cappella with a loop pedal," Koyama said. "The loop pedal allows me to record little snippets of my voice and loop it to create a bed track with a little vocal percussion and harmonies and then I improvise language in a vague verse chorus bridge structure that ebbs and flows to where ever it wants to go. I can promise it will be unlike anything people have ever seen before and every piece is completely original from beginning to end."
Koyama has thought a lot about what music means to him.
"I believe that music lives in us, possibly from the moment of conception," said Koyama. "I think that we forget it as we age and the complex thought processes that are required for life take over but music is always there. When we sing together, which is what I prefer, it reawakens that in us and the possibilities of what we can do with our voices is endless and this is also encouraged at the show."
He also thinks it might be time to create songs people recognize.
"I think people would like to be able to say 'Hey, do that song,'" said Koyama. "I think it's an important part of the relationship between artist and fan, it will provide a bit of structure that people are used to and it makes it more familiar."
He also strives to create tunes that will send audiences boogying.
"People will want to dance, and dancing is specifically encouraged," Koyama said. "It's going to be a rockin' night and I'm really excited to hear Jeremy Stewart's band at the end of the night. Dead Street [blending psychedelia with grunge] is so cool and Jeremy is such an awesome guy."
Local line-ups are Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Art Space, above Books & Co., 1685 Third Avenue. Admission is by recommended donation of $10.
