Dog Days Fest: Kola Hak goes solo, creates complete compositions in real time
Derek James Lynch, known by his stage name Kola Hak, is set to captivate audiences at Dog Days Fest bringing his innovative blend of looping guitar and beat-making to the forefront. After touring and performing alongside bands as diverse as metal-heavy Black Tusk and punk outfit Cray Bag, Lynch has gone solo, yearning for a more personal expression to explore new territory.
“I just really like playing...," said Lynch. "I grew up in a very musical family. My sister's like a master marimba player. And then, of course, Daniel [Sunglow]. My dad plays, and he taught me. So, I just like all kinds of music. I got to a point where I have people that hire me to do things. I've been in a lot of bands, but kind of like a spot player... And now I'm doing the soft stuff, you know? And somehow, I feel like the punk crowd still likes it, too.”
Under the moniker Kola Hak, Lynch has been crafting a distinct musical approach that weaves intricate layers of sound, creating a captivating sonic landscape that is entirely his own.
His moniker derives from his Native American heritage. “I come from a Lakota family. My grandmother was full-blooded Lakota Oceti Sakowin. And so, we all have Native American names. Mine is Kola Hakikta. It means 'looking back'... because, I guess when I was a kid, I used to look over my shoulder when I ran.
"But I shortened to Kola Hack to honor the ancestry. There is also a cyber vibe to it. I'm proud enough to use it, let it represent me in my name. But, you know, unless I'm helping a tribe directly, I don't want to sit here and claim, I'm part of a movement, but I am incredibly proud.”
Armed with a guitar and a collection of loop pedals
Lynch, however, is only looking forward.
Kola Hak's performances are a testament to Lynch's versatility and artistic vision. Armed with his guitar and a collection of loop pedals, he takes the stage, effortlessly building layers of melodies, rhythms, and textures. The result is a mesmerizing auditory experience that showcases Lynch's technical precision as well as his ability to create a complete musical composition in real-time.
“I'm a bedroom producer, you know? It’s electronic music, but there's also a Lo Fi aspect to it that I think kind of humanizes it."
Despite being humanizing, the majority of the music is created on a computer. "I think lots of good music was created just on the computer. But there's another side of it, where I've been in bands for so long and the way I approach writing and composing, it is the way a band might think about it in extremely basic elements, like drums, bass, melody, atmosphere, and that's kind of like it. Like an amazingly simple, not cluttering up my space.”
As Kola Hak, Lynch is gaining recognition for his unique brand of music, which defies easy categorization. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of genres, including rock, electronic and hip-hop, he seamlessly merges these influences into a cohesive and immersive sound. The result is an eclectic blend of genres that transcends boundaries and appeals to music lovers of all backgrounds.
If You Go >>
What: Dog Days Fest
When: 10 p.m., June 3
Where: Late Air, 2805 Bull St.
Cost: $20-160
Info: dogdayspresents.com
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Derek James Lynch as Kola Hak to perform at Dog Days Fest June 3 2023
