Singer-songwriters Amanda Koopa, left, and Caroline Parke, right, will appear at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on March 27. (Submitted photos/Amanda Koopa and Caroline Parke)

By Angela Brown

Vic Juba Community Theatre

Local singer-songwriters Koopa and Parke to take the stage for Lloyd Locals Series

Mar 7, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Two North-West Saskatchewan singer-songwriters will share their music as part of the Lloyd Locals Series shows coming up.

Amanda Koopa and Caroline Parke will each perform a set on March 27 at the Vic Juba Community Theatre in Lloydminster.

Koopa’s music is described as experimental, singer-songwriter in genre, while Parke’s has more of a country music flare.

The three-night series features Koopa and Parke the first night, with One-Act Plays running on May 10, and a June 20 event still to be announced.

The series is supported by the Lloydminster Regional Theatre Foundation.

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Koopa, whose real name is Amanda Coupal, is originally from North Battleford, and currently resides in Lloydminster.

She likes to experiment with her music sound digitally, to bring in different instruments to find a unique sound.

“Sometimes it’s acoustic, sometimes a cappella, sometimes it’s very electronic,” Koopa said. “It’s a fun experiment usually.”

She has been inspired by music from artists such as Alanis Morissette growing up.

“My songwriting is very much like hers, very personal and kind of emotional,” Koopa said. “Her, and I guess Amy Winehouse are two of my biggest inspirations.”

Koopa has been writing songs for about 20 years, since she was 14. She recorded her first album when she was still in high school in North Battleford.

“In 2019 I put out my first digital album,… and I’ve put out one every two years since then,” she said. “[I write about] mostly my personal experiences, relationships, and a lot about of my faith in God since I became a Christian in the last couple of years. I really put a lot of trust in Him.”

Listen to Koopa’s music here.

Recording artist Parke lives on a ranch near Lloydminster, Alta., with her husband and four children. Originally from Grande Cache, Alta., she has been living in the Lloydminster area for the past 12 years.

She said in September 2019, she survived an aggressive break and enter, and began songwriting to heal from the trauma.

“I had only written maybe three songs before that…,” Parke said, adding that she started writing more every year going forward.

Expressing herself through music has been part of her healing journey, and also reconnected her to her love of songwriting.

“It’s such a huge part of who I am now,” Parke said.

Parke describes her music as country, folk, and a little bit bluegrass.

Since 2020 she’s been releasing an album every year, writing about everything from family, personal reflections, to some more spiritual pieces. Parke’s most recent album is called Pure Imperfection, released last year. She’ll also be releasing a new double-album in June.

People taking in her show can expect “maybe an emotional rollercoaster,” Parke said of her songs. “I’ll walk them though the progression of how songwriting opened up my perspective on life, and people that I’ve collaborated with throughout that progression as well. I’ll talk about family and family values as well.”

Parke’s songs can be heard here.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

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