artist Chris Ho

Before Chris Ho started writing, the highlight of his musical ability was when he made recordings of himself singing along to Elton John and sent it to his friends to get a laugh. The other high point was, of course, his reluctant participation in band, playing his mom’s old clarinet. Needless to say, very few were anticipating that he would make songwriting such an essential part of his life.

During the reclusive years of high school and university, Chris spent much of his time writing and recording, and would occasionally invite a friend to either check it out or help him draw an album cover. Super casual. But nonetheless, a faithful fan base, with signed copies of his quirky homemade albums, began to emerge. After playing a few shows around Victoria and noticing this, he finally decided to come out from under the rock he'd been living under for the past few years.

Consequently, Chris collaborated with a couple of his close friends and went into the studio to record “Answers” (April 2011). The self-released EP showcases Chris’ compelling voice, coupled with an aptitude for creating accessible yet original melodies, which characterize his brand of folk-pop. Since then, Chris has toured the EP, released a music video for its featured single, and has also been involved with directing and composing for Victoria and Vancouver's Fringe Festivals. In he midst of this, Chris recently released the new single, “No Connection”; a precursor to the sophomore album set to release this fall. The album is a collection of songs inspired by themes of modernity, urban decay, and complicated love. Staying fairly true to the folk-pop sentimentality found in “Answers'”, the new album is eclectic yet unified, and reflects a greater sense of maturity in lyricism and musical complexity.

As one of the winners of the “Tracks on Tracks” cross-Canada trip and music showcase, Chris Ho will be boarding VIA's Canadian passenger train with Green Couch Productions and CBC Radio 3 this June, arriving just in time for his debut performance at this year's NXNE Music Festival. With subsequent performances at the Tall Tree Music Festival and the Rock Of The Woods Festival, and the upcoming release of a new album in the fall, the young Canadian singer-songwriter shows no signs of stopping.