Kym Gouchie didn’t plan to become a professional musician, sharing her talent with the traditional hand drum, guitar, cello, keys, and most recently the ukulele – but it happened organically anyway.
And she is stopping in Langley this Friday at Bez Arts Hub as part of her tour to share some of her latest work with the local community.
Coming from ancestral roots in the Lheidli T’enneh, Cree, and Secwépemc Secwépemc Nations, Gouchie aims to be a bridge for people to cross over to learn and experience her world as an Indigenous woman.
“I hope that people feel enlightened as they listen from their heart space. I also hope that my music helps to shed some light, while bringing hope as we journey together on the road to reconciliation,” she shared.
“My music is the truth telling part of this journey.”
Gouchie comes from a long line of musicians in her family, and grew up watching her older brother sing and play guitar. Her father encouraged her to pursue her passion for singing.
As an adult, she taught herself guitar, and said the traditional hand drum “became an extension of me.”
“I just keep doing what comes natural to me and this is where I am at now,” Gouchie told the Langley Advance Times.
Gouchie is a renowned visual artist, cultural ambassador, presenter, and advocate regularly called by organizations to offer Indigenous insight.
One of many highlights for Gouchie was winning the Stingray Rising Star Award in 2019 in Montreal, tied with participating on the 10-day songwriting retreat with Linda McRae the same year and performing with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra last year.
On Friday, April 5, Gouchie will perform alongside Naomi Kavak and Brigitte Demeter at Bez Arts Hub.
“This show is going to be a ‘getting to know me’ kind of show. I want to share some of the stories behind the songs and let the audience into my process and talk about my inspirations,” Gouchie explained.
She will also share some new songs from her upcoming album titled ‘Shun beh nats’ujeh/we are healing through songs,’ which releases June 13 – also Gouchie’s mother’s 81 birthday.
Her performance is scheduled for 8 p.m., and Bez is located at #102-20230 64th Ave.
Tickets start at $37 and can be booked online at bezartshub.com.
Gouchie’s next tour stop is in Coquitlam on Saturday.
Learn more at kymgouchie.com.
READ ALSO: Giving back: Murrayville family holds bottle drive for Canucks Autism Network
IN OTHER NEWS: Langley teacher’s children’s book sheds light on Type 1 Diabetes
