Graham Travis Ko is a Canadian singer/songwriter born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. His music brings together a mixture of R&B, Pop, Rock & Roll and has been compared to the likes of John Mayer, Michael Bublé, and Jason Mraz. He has had the opportunity to share the stage with artists and acts such as Mike Stern, the New York Voices, and the Video Games Live Orchestra.
Ko’s newest song, “One Step Forward” is dedicated to his manager, the late Steve Parton.
“I was having a very difficult time, working a job I hated,” Graham explains. “My family was far away, and everything seemed to be in this constant downward spiral. Trying to shake off this terrible feeling I had, I said to myself, ‘things will get better as long as you’re taking steps in the right direction, all it takes is one step.’”
“One Step Forward” is sunny acoustic rock, covering an iron resolve. Ko’s voice carries warmth and wisdom — and certainty that he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be. In our interview, Ko spoke about his influences, his favorite concert experiences, and the best gift he ever received from a fan.
Who are some of your musical influences?
John Mayer, Bill Withers, Theo Katzman, Joey Landreth, to name a few. What I find particularly remarkable about these artists is how they are each a self sufficient songwriter and performer. They’re the complete package, amazing instrumental ability, fantastic vocals, and an incredible ability to write songs that resonate with people on a large scale. These are all things I aspire to in my own music.
Tell us about the first song you wrote.
I have to admit that the first complete song I wrote was not good! I remember writing and recording it before I really knew what I was doing. The song was called “Shy,” and it was written in my pre-teen days when I was still trying to get my bearings as a person. As bad as the song was, I’m still proud to have written and completed something at that age. I think where some people can get stuck writing music is thinking that the things they write aren’t good enough. However, like most things, mastery comes from repetition and practice. It’s unreasonable to expect perfection from a first try. Continuing to write and push through even though you may not like what you’re writing is really important in developing yourself as an artist.
Do you have any songwriting tips you can share?
Give yourself permission to write a bad song and finish it! What I mean by this is if you find yourself writing something that you don’t like, don’t worry about it. Instead of getting stuck at how bad you may think it is, finish writing it regardless. Finishing the song will give you a sense of accomplishment and if you think the song is bad, that can actually be a good thing! Once completed, if you know there are things about the song you don’t like then you know exactly what it is you need to change. Going through the process of improving the aspects of the song you don’t like is a great way of developing your craft. Even if you still don’t end up liking what you’ve done, you’ve at least completed a song, developed your craft, and may be able to revisit the song at a later date.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
One of my fondest memories was when I was playing in Japan. After one of the shows I found out that the manager of the world famous sumo wrestler, Hakuho, was in the audience! After being introduced I was given an original signature and handprint of the famous athlete. This remarkable gift serves as a reminder to me to continue to push forward every day!
Tell us about your favorite show you’ve ever played.
One of my favorite shows I’ve ever played was an intimate show that was hosted in the living room of a home in downtown Toronto. This exclusive show had about 20 people crammed in the small space and every single person was a lover of music. The small and intimate setting allowed for a more personable setting for myself and the other artists playing which I think is really special. Connecting with the audience there was like reacquainting yourself with an old friend, it was just a beautiful experience all around.