In current times when people crave connection, kindness and community, it’s easy to see why the band Nahko and Medicine for the People has such a strong following of fans, both locally and worldwide.
Hawaii Island fans are thrilled to welcome back to Kailua-Kona, acclaimed artist Nahko with the release of his first solo album, “My Name Is Bear.” Nahko performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 15 at KBXtreme.
A sixth generation Apache/Mohawk, with a Puerto Rican/Indian mother and a Filipino father, Nahko was adopted at a young age and grew up in the suburbs of Oregon. As a young man, he traveled through the back roads of Alaska, Louisiana and Hawaii. His new album is a collection of songs that share his experience of grounding himself in music and his journey to becoming an artist.
“I found my mother when I was 21 years old,” said Nahko. “The songs on this record are a collection of stories before that time, written between the ages of 18 to 21. They are ripe with the coming of age, first love, psychedelic revelations, youthful recklessness, and lucid dreaming.”
Nahko made his name in the music world with his six-piece band, Medicine for the People. The band’s name reflects the music they create, and created a following of fans that long for a better world with more empathy, kindness and humanity.
If anyone has risen above the negativity of the world, it is this artist. Coming from a difficult childhood, Nahko found his mother and discovered she was a victim of human trafficking, and that his father was murdered in 1994. He visited his father’s murderer in San Quentin to offer him his forgiveness. His positive personality and ability to overcome adversity is an inspiration to his fans.
Nahko believes music is healing and redemptive for all generations and cultures, making it easy to see why fans view his music as medicine for the body, mind and soul.
Tickets are $35 for all ages.
Info/tickets: Visit www.bampproject.com/nahko-kona/