Breaking out of the Cage: Indie rapper hits Fox Theatre (VIDEO)

Cage brings a fresh approach to his fusion of hip-hop and indie-rock beats, but this artist had to go through a turbulent life of abuse, drugs and being institutionalized to create his riveting music.

The young artist's story is so intense, in fact, that Hollywood's Shia LaBeouf is now shopping the project to major film studios. The actor also directed Cage's popular YouTube video, "I Never Knew You."

Friday, Boulder will be able to check out Cage's live show and witness this new music phenomenon in action.

Cage's real name is Chris Palko and the rapper also fronts the underground hip-hop group the Weatherman. The artist's life experiences have definitely played into the rhymes of both acts.

"I was born in Germany, but I grew up in the United States," Palko said. "I had a very intense life and a traumatic childhood. I spent my teen and formidable years interacting socially, but then I was sent to a mental hospital and I was forced to take medication.

"I was forced to be shut in, but I was psychologically aware. That experience really changed my outlook on life."

Palko was released from the institution when he was 18 and he decided to channel his energies into

This man is named Cage. ( Todd Westphal )

"Being a rapper was something I chose to do for myself," Palko said. "I put everything straight out there to do art and take back my life.

"I only want to make music that's true to life -- and I wanted to make a record that people could relate to."

Palko put his heart and soul into his 2009 release, Depart From Me. The rapper had a no-holds barred philosophy when it came to talking about love, depression, addictions, growth and failure on the record.

He also decided to add a little spice to the musical mix by fusing in some very rocking elements.

"I set out to make a record that defies genres," Palko said. "I took a lot chances with this record and I was inspired to add big rock hooks. It's a very deep and heartfelt record."

One of Depart From Me's biggest fans was LaBeouf.

The actor's come a long way from his days on the Disney show "Even Stevens," and he's now starring in blockbusters such as "Transformers" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

For starters, the actor directed the Cage video, "I Never Knew You." The clip has the feel of an indie film, as LaBeouf fused concert scenes into the emotional storyline.

"Shia's a fan of the music and he really related to it," Palko said. "He also came from a dark past, so he related to the chaos in this kind of upbringing.

"He approached me about making a movie about my life. This was even before his career blew up. But I trusted him. This is a story that needs to be told and a lot of good stuff can come from it -- there are tons of kids in this country that are being over-medicated."

For now, Palko's hitting the road with Less Than Jake and starring in his solo shows.

"I don't put on a typical hip-hop show," Palko said. "I've been touring with Less Than Jake, but before and after those shows, I'm going to select venues and playing solo.

"The Fox show will be solo, but there's a real energetic flow to it. It will be a really intimate night and the show will be more like performance art."

Palko is also gearing his career up for 2010.

"There are some 'big' things in the making. We've narrowed the movie down to several stories and there are several writers working on it," Palko said. "Hopefully, it will all be good in 2010."