A married Langley couple, are blending their catchy music and authentic comedy to distinguish themselves in a national talent contest.
And it’s paying off, at least thus far.
Laura Koch, and her husband Ryan, make up The Kwerks, and they learned today that they’ve made it through to round three of the CBC Searchlight Competition with their rhythmic folk-pop sound.
“It was such a huge shocker as we scrolled through the top 25 and passed by all the regional winners, wondering if there was a chance we’d get through on votes, and we did,” Laura told the Langley Advance.
“We were definitely floored. High fives and manic laughter ensued,” she elaborated.
There are four rounds in all, culminating in a final winner that will be awarded the prize on a prime-time televised broadcast on CBC TV in April.
The Kwerks came into fruition, officially, in 2015 when Laura left her job, sent her homeschooled children to school, started playing her guitar, and joined up with her husband to create “a cheeky brand of folk-pop peppered with Canadian bluegrass/country.”
“I’m pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming a rock star. In my 30s,” Laura said.
They’ve been touring the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley for the past year and a half, released two EPs, and competed in a number of regional and international music competitions.
Their fans, she said, have been incredibly supportive through this latest contest.
“We are so thankful for all the supporters out there who have been voting for us through the previous rounds. And really, it’s them that have gotten us here. We really owe it to them!” she said.
If their current momentum is any indication, Laura hopes The Kwerks will move on to the final level in the Searchlight competition. They’ve got only four days of voting in this latest round.
This stage is dependent on a combination of votes.
“Three finalists will be determined by judges and one by votes,” Laura explained. “Then, in the final round it is only judges, and it’s done on TV.”
If The Kwerks can make it through the next cut – and they’re hoping they can – then they’re in the top four, and they’re off to Toronto for the finals which air April 9.
