Koch influenced by music heavyweights

By Andrea Kszystyniak

Published Nov. 18, 2008

Geoff Koch has done a lot of growing up over the past few years. Since his first national tour in 2006, he has continued to figure out what being a musician means to him.

"If touring and music has taught me anything, it's to keep focused on my goals and keep a level head," Koch said. "The bad times and the good times are going to happen, and you can't let any one of them derail you from what you want to do. What I want to do is write and perform good songs."

Koch does just that. Earlier this year, Koch went to Nashville, Tenn., to record his first full-length album entitled If It Feels Good, Don't Do It. Koch called the album "the realization of a life long dream."

"I think it turned out really, really great and it's been well received around the country," Koch said. "I've been making friends. I'm seeing results. It's neat to see tangible results."

Koch describes his music as a hybrid of everyone who's ever influenced him, combined with a great deal of influence from his personal life.

"I've been really influenced by Nirvana, Elliot Smith, Wilco and Neil Young," Koch said. "As a guitar player I went through a time in my life where I was really into indie rock, like The Get Up Kids, The Promise Ring, Fugazi and At The Drive-In. That genre of music."

Koch said he wants to do for other people what so many musicians have done for him.

"I feel like there's been so many songs and so many bands that have profoundly inspired me," Koch said. "Through their songs and music, they've taught me what powerful music should be. I feel like, in my own way, I could give that back and put my own spin on it somehow. Like Michael Phelps was born to swim in a pool, there are some people born to play music."

It took Koch several years at MU to realize that music was his calling. Initially enrolled as a psychology major, Koch later switched to being a music major before he realized it wasn't for him. He went back home and attended community college on and off while developing music.

"Not everyone can be Kurt Cobain or Eddie Vedder, but they're still supposed to develop their gifts," Koch said. "I've been fortunate to receive a set of gifts that I want to use."

Koch made his way back to Columbia on Saturday as part of the Bluebird Music and Arts Festival.

"I've played these songs so many times that they're like well paved roads," Koch said. "I know every little nuance. The goal is to become a master of the art. I wouldn't say I'm a master, but I definitely have a better hold as to how to write and perform songs more than ever."

Koch said he's excited to perform here again.

"Columbia is a great town and it's a great music town," Koch said. "The college age, it's a great time in people's lives and people are so receptive to new music at that age. You can play at The Blue Fugue or the Cherry Street Artisan and people might just happen to be there and not know anything about you and you come away with a new group of fans. I've been well received here and people have been so kind to me."