The Kwerks
Langley, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2015 | SELF
Music
Press
Langley-based folk duo The Kwerks, consisting of Laura and Ryan Koch, have released their debut self-titled EP. The 5-track record has a particular attractiveness in its light-hearted, sparse, and upbeat tunes. Stream the EP below. - The Permanent Rain Press
With winter just around the corner, today (Nov. 1) the Kwerks have released a brand new holiday EP with fresh new sounds to help celebrate the season.
Titled Lights, this is the second record the Langley-based folk-pop duo, Ryan and Laura Koch, have made this year.
The EP features four songs that Laura has written, ranging from the ambient and haunting Into the Forest to the bluegrass country hoedown Lights.
“The hope is to release some fresh music into the mix,” Laura said.
“Everyone loves the classic holiday songs, but there’s something great about hearing something fresh and new that stirs you up and gets you more connected with the holidays.”
The Kwerks released their debut EP in April, and spent the summer playing stages across the Lower Mainland, including at the inaugural Fraser Valley Music Awards, where they were nominated in the pop category.
“I’ve been doing music for years, but have only shared it with the public this past year, and it’s really affirming to see how well received it is,” Laura said.
For more information on the band and their holiday EP, visit www.thekwerks.com. - Langley Times
Langley’s Laura and Ryan Koch, also knowns as The Kwerks, were the featured performers at the season opener for the Mission Coffee House Concert Series.
The show took place at the Clarke Theatre’s cafetorium on Saturday night.
The show attracted a capacity crowd that seemed to enjoy the rich harmonies and eclectic, quirky lyrics by the aptly named duo. - Mission Record
Fraser Valley Award nominees The Kwerks are bringing their energy-packed tunes to South Surrey this Saturday evening.
Laura and Ryan Koch will perform on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in the century-old barn at Kingfisher Farm, 512 172 St.
The tunes, written by Laura, are rhythmic and peppy.
“There’s nothing quite like connecting with an audience with humour. It’s one of the best things about doing this kind of work,” says Laura.
The Langley-based Kwerks released their self-titled debut EP this past April, and have just wrapped up the recording of their holiday EP, The Lights, which will be released in November.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through The Kwerks’ website at www.thekwerks.com
For more info, contact Laura at lauraslyric@gmail.com - Cloverdale Reporter
A handful of Langley artists are in the running for a Fraser Valley Music Award, with the award show taking place this Saturday in Abbotsford.
Locals JD Miner, Jeremy Allingham, and Jason Sylvester (stagename Hrdwtr) have all been nominated for the folk/roots award category.
We Hunt Buffalo, which includes Ryan Forsythe, Brendan Simpson, and Brandon Carter is in line for a loud award.
Pop nominee’s The Kwerks will be hitting the stage mid-awards show, which is being held at Abbotsford Arts Centre.
Leading up to the show, Laura Koch – one half of the pair that makes up the pop band – reflected on the life moments that brought her to this point in her music career.
Koch was a birth doula for seven years before risking it all for music.
“That shiver that runs through you, or that welling of tears - a connection between artist and audience where the singer is expressing something that touches you to the core,” explains Koch. ““That feeling, that indescribable feeling, is what I want to give.”
She added her passion for music stems from her interest in relating with the audience, and making them feel emotions.
“To make them laugh, cry, shiver, or glaze over, but all the while they’re connecting with something deeper and more real than the guarded lives we live. It’s a good thing. It’s a rich, full, and voluminous thing. It’s brutally hard, horrendously vulnerable, and beautifully life-giving.”
During Saturday’s show, prizes for nominees who win one of 12 awards include:
Free music business education session with The Drive’s Glen Singerland.
Three opportunities to play for $200 on the Agrifair Main Stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the 2016 event, plus additional opportunities to sing the national anthems at this well-attended event.
An opportunity to play at the MNET Arts Club Theater for a featured performance, to be recorded, as well as an opportunity to perform at the first annual “MNET Radio Music Festival” at Centennial Park on August 27, 2016.
A feature article on the artist in this regional music publication.
Funds of $250 and more to go towards recording and/or instrument/equipment purchase.
A bye to the International Blues Challenge Finale being held Sunday, Sept. 11th, with the winner going on to Memphis in January of 2017.
Long and McQuade gift card of $500.
A live performance during an upcoming Fraser Valley Art Battle.
An opportunity to perform at this year’s event.
Performance at first home game of University of Fraser Valley’s weekend of basketball season with $500 honorarium to a hip-hop artist.
A feature article on the artist in the local events and arts publication What’s On.
Saturday’s show begins at 8 p.m. For more details visit: civl.ca/fvma - Langley Advance
Discography
Bigger Badder Dreams (2018)
Lights - Holiday EP (2016)
The Kwerks - Debut EP (2016)
Better Together - Single (2015)
Photos
Bio
You've been wishing for some upbeat, ray-of-sunshine-in-a-dark-world music, but just can't stomach the endless autotune of pop. Well, now you've found it. The Kwerks' warm harmonies and fresh folk sound will have you tapping your toe and singing along in minutes, only to realize the lyrics are as authentic as the duo's straightforward acoustic vibe.
Laura and Ryan Koch are a married couple who dropped everything to pursue music, and in a few short years have built up an eager west coast fan base that has been itching for each new release they offer. Two EPs in 2016, a commercial deal with Dominion Lending Centres, and a Frazie Music Award nomination all landed in their laps in their first year. In 2017 they were seen on the CBC Searchlight’s National Top 25 list, awarded by popular vote. Since then, they’ve scooped up two more music award nominations, a Frazie award for “Excellence in Performance by a Female Artist”, released their album, Bigger Badder Dreams in March 2018, and with one of their new tracks, landed themselves in the CBC Searchlight’s National Top 10, again awarded by popular vote, much thanks to their eager army of voters affectionately called KwerkNation.
Both on the stage and on the screen as exhibited in their hilarious YouTube and Facebook presence, the pair and their band have been making their fans mighty happy as they blend authentic, heartfelt lyrics with fun, upbeat tunes.
Whether performing with their band or as an “up close and cheeky” duo, a solid mix of folk-pop, bluegrass and folk-rock is what makes up The Kwerks' sound, and their message is simple. Enjoy life. Live it now. Say yes.
Band Members
Links
