The phrase “meaning behind the music” was made for Koji.
The musician and activist spreads not only his acoustic tunes and musings on life, but also the reminder we all can find ways to make the world a better place.
Koji will spread his musical message at 8 tonight at La Casa Blanca, 221 E. Park Ave., when the Harrisburg native plays for the umpteenth time in State College. He is traveling as part of “The Resolve Tour,” benefiting activist group Resolve, which spreads awareness and relief about the situation in Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Drew Magid, vice president of Asylumand coordinator of the event, said Koji has established himself here, and the main reason Koji keeps coming back to play is because he always has an audience.
“He just has this really great way of connecting with everyone who watches him play,” Magid (senior-advertising) said. “He makes you feel like you matter.”
The artist’s current tour doesn’t earn Koji a cent, Magid said, because all of the money goes to the charity. The audience’s money will go beyond helping a good cause, Magid said.
“He’s not only playing a set, but he’s educating everyone who is going to be there,” Magid said. “I guarantee everyone who walks in the door will learn something and come away with something.”
Joseph Sawa, who lives in La Casa Blanca and helps book shows, said people usually sit on the floor during Koji shows while the musician walks freely around the crowd playing his music and telling his stories.
“He has a stage presence that captures a lot of people,” Sawa (senior-integrative arts) said.
Out of all the acts that come to his house, Koji is the most passionate, Sawa said. He said his music spans all genres, and anybody could come watch him play and like what they see and hear.
“He actually has talent, which is something you don’t find often in the music industry,” Sawa said.
Brian Walker, president of Penn State’s Songwriter’s Club, has seen Koji perform six or seven times, and has played with him three times. He will play with him again at tonight’s show.
Walker (senior-psychology) said Koji’s music can serve to remind college students there is a lot more out there.
“He is able to bring the idea of charity and quality music together on this campus,” he said.
Walker is on a Penn State committee for Invisible Children, a group that benefits the same cause as Resolve. Walker hopes tonight’s performance will make people more aware about what’s going on in Uganda.
