Sophie Gray
Local Journalism Initiative
Former Penticton resident Kym Gouchie is joining the likes of Dan Mangan during a virtual concert put on by the Province of BC Thursday afternoon.
The Indigenous folk musician, who now lives in Lheidli T’enneh, her home community outside Prince George, was stunned when she got the call to perform.
“I feel super blessed. I’m still wrapping my head around it. They could have chosen anybody and they chose me and they chose three other artists so it’s just phenomenal,” said Gouchie from a home in Summerland where she’s staying during the pandemic.
Gouchie will be joining three other B.C. musicians during the Showcase BC Live concert on Thursday, performing a ten minute set livestreamed over Facebook to the whole province. She said although she thinks it’s a great way to get music into the lives of those stuck at home, she’s not sold on the form of delivery just yet.
“I’m not a fan of it to be honest with you. I have a difficult time,” said Gouchie about performing online. “The music that I create is like a spiritual experience and to be able to convey that through an internet connection is going to be a challenge.”
That challenge doesn’t outweigh the positives for Gouchie though. She’s excited about the concert and the acknowledgement from the province that art and music are important parts of people’s lives, especially during this pandemic. And it’s not just a one-time event. Gouchie said she was told the concert launches the Showcase BC platform that will give artists access to micro grants so that they can be paid to share their music with others during this pandemic.
“I know that there’s many artists that are playing live concerts but many of them aren’t being paid to do it. They’re just doing it because it’s medicine for us to do that,” said Gouchie.
She believes it’s not only a great way to get music to those who need something to look forward to while stuck at home, but it’s also a great opportunity for artists to engage with their communities and receive some love in return.
“I record a song and then I’ll post it, and then I get all this love back, and that’s what’s missing for us,” said Gouchie. “You know, we’re social beings and not being a
Able to go out and socialize and to share what it is we create, it’s really difficult so I think that this is an opportunity to still be supported financially but also by the province which is quite incredible.”
Kym Gouchie will be performing along with Dan Mangan, Alex Cuba and Desireé Dawson at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 16. The concert will be hosted by Premier John Horgan and broadcast through the Government of B.C.’s facebook page.
