Prolific musician debuts impressive solo album
What you're trying to do...is start a conversation," says Mike Koop.
You know how some people have stage fright? I have the exact opposite of stage fright," says Mike Koop. “I just can't wait to get on stage, and I just can't wait to play as hard as I can."
Anyone who's ever met the curly-haired, energetic 39-year-old knows it's true.
Over the past 18 years, Koop has made a name for himself in Winnipeg as an electrifying live performer, playing guitar and singing in a long list of bands. That includes Kicker, the power pop band he still fronts, and The Bonaduces, whose 2000 release The Democracy of Sleep is regarded by many in Winnipeg's music community as a classic album.
But Koop's first solo offering was inspired just as much by his participation as a worship leader at St. Benedict's Table, an Anglican worshipping community in downtown Winnipeg, as it was by his experience playing in clubs across Canada.
Music is Worthless, released at the end of 2010 under the moniker Mike Koop's Multitude of Sins, is a collection of 11 songs. Many of them have been used in worship at St. Benedict's Table.
Koop describes the record as alt-gospel"–original songs with a classic gospel feel, filtered through rock, punk and alternative music.
It'll be familiar to people right away, but it's different than what you've heard before," he says.
There's also a strong roots influence, possibly inspired by Koop's love of Bob Dylan.
To record the album, Koop enlisted the help of other St. Benedict's Table musicians, as well as players from Winnipeg's music scene. It was recorded at Signpost, the studio co-owned by Steve Bell. Bell's son, Jesse, recorded and mixed the album last summer.
In fact, it was Steve Bell, who attends St. Benedict's Table, who encouraged Koop to make the record.
I just think he's a great melody-maker," Bell says of why he likes Koop's music. I love his melodies. He's written some songs that just haunt me. They're just beautiful."
Indeed, the song writing is strong, resulting in an impressive solo debut. The instrumentation and arrangements are more rock-oriented than one would find in a worship service, but they serve the songs well.
Allen Fehr's Hammond B3 organ playing is a significant part of the album's sound, as is the electric guitar playing of Winnipeg session veteran Rob Pachol.
Lyrically, Koop draws from his personal experiences as well as scripture. If I Have No Love" adapts 1 Corinthians 1-13, and the title track's refrain of Music is worthless" echoes Ecclesiastes 1:2.
Koop says his decision to title the album Music is Worthless was part irony, but also a comment on how much people value music. Music is everywhere and is easily accessible, so perhaps people don't value it enough. On the other hand, music can be an idol, and people can place too much value on it.
Koop sees making the very best music he can possibly make as an act of worship. Ultimately, he hopes the record inspires discussion.
What you're always trying to do with art is start a conversation," he says. 'What do you think he meant by that? What is he trying to say? How does this affect me in my life? What can I gather from this that is useful?' And, 'What should I learn from this that maybe I should rethink my position on something?'"
And you also want people to rock out and dance," he adds later. All those things combined."
Find out more about Music is Worthless at www.stbenedictstable.ca.
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