Harry Edgar Palacio is not your typical artist — he is a multifaceted American creative whose impact spans music, literature, fine art, and spiritual wellness. Known in the indie/alternative music world by his moniker Oregon Kool-aid, Harry has carved a unique space for himself as an award-winning author, prize-winning fine artist, critically acclaimed musician, and spiritual practitioner.
Born in the U.S., Harry skyrocketed to underground fame when his single “Coral Relief” hit #1 on the indie/alternative music charts in Luxembourg. His musical journey has seen him perform alongside Grammy winners and nominees, including Ari Up of The Slits — the “godmothers of punk” — and former members of The Raincoats, both groups once championed by Kurt Cobain. His music has garnered media attention on MTV and taken him to prestigious stages across Brooklyn, New York City, Dominican Republic, and the iconic Paramount Theatre.
Under both Oregon Kool-aid and his own name, Harry has released ten studio albums, each reflecting his genre-defying sound and poetic lyricism. But Harry is not only known for his music. As a writer, he has been a finalist for the Fjords Review Book Competition and a semi-finalist for both the Quartz Literary Prize and Willow Run Book Award. He has published three books and contributed to over 75 renowned literary journals and anthologies including Tule Review, Washington Square Review, and North of Oxford.
In the world of visual art, Harry Edgar Palacio has been equally celebrated. His fine art has graced the covers of two magazines and appeared in nine more, including The Bitchin’ Kitsch, International Voices, and Bellevue Review. His work has been exhibited at galleries and festivals in NYC, at the School of Visual Arts, Robeson Gallery, and Peekskill Open Studios.
Harry’s intellectual achievements are equally impressive. He has read over 5,045 books, ranking him among the top 26 readers in the U.S. and top 49 globally as of 2022. He holds a Master’s in Education from Manhattanville University, was accepted into Harvard University, and has earned certificates from Stanford, The New School University, and Parsons. He was also offered two PhD programs and served as assistant director at Manhattanville University.
Outside of the academic and creative worlds, Harry is a deeply spiritual individual. He’s a certified Yoga and Ayurveda guru (200 hours, Nepal/India), Reiki Grandmaster, astrologer, and second-generation Osho lineage practitioner, having meditated over 145,000 minutes in his lifetime.
Despite living with schizoaffective disorder, Harry Edgar Palacio continues to break barriers and redefine what it means to be an artist, thinker, and healer in the 21st century. A true renaissance man, Harry’s journey is as inspiring as it is extraordinary.
