MUSICAL MEMORIES
Regina Junos were something special for engineer
Kevin Churko was back at home the last time he won a Juno Award.
The 2013 awards’ Regina venue was just 70-some kilometres east of Moose Jaw, where Churko grew up.
His family was in the audience. And he shared the award with his son, co-engineer Kane Churko.
“That was probably the most special in a sense because I could celebrate with my family and my son,” said Kevin Churko, on the phone from Las Vegas, where he lives and works.
Plus, that weekend, he donned skates and a helmet to play in the Juno Cup hockey game, which was hosted in Moose Jaw.
“One of the best things that happened to me,” said Churko, “is the Leader-post featured me in my hockey gear on the front page … my big beard flowing with my hockey gear on, and it’s a such an amazing shot.”
Four times, Churko has won the Juno Award for recording engineer of the year — most recently for his work on Blood and Five Finger Death Punch recordings, and most often for his work on Ozzy Osbourne’s music.
Ozzy gave Churko his first “big producer chance,” which was surreal: “When I was 18, if you would have told me I was gonna be producing an Ozzy record, I would not believe you at all.”
Just as surreal for Churko was hearing his son Kane laughing with Ozzy while watching a buddy comedy — Superbad or Pineapple Express, he can’t remember which.
Churko is one of many Saskatchewan musicians to have earned a Juno nod over the years, and many of his recording skills were gained in this province — at first, by necessity.
Playing in two bands with his brother Cory (The Underground Outlaws and The Explorers), “we could never really afford the really good premium producer/engineer guys,” said Kevin. “So it just fell to me to just kind of do it ... and it just kept on evolving.”
Churko worked during most of the 1990s at Regina’s Touchwood
Studios, “recording every band and any band, from a polka band to heavy rock bands. But I was able to learn a lot in a smaller market like that, because I had nothing but time,” he said.
He remembers Regina band Sourmash as “one of my first good rock bands that I was able to record,” which taught him “a lot of mixing tips and techniques that I use to this day.”
Churko got an audition with renowned producer Mutt Lange through Lange’s then-wife Shania
Twain and her bandmate, Cory Churko.
He was flown to Switzerland for a “high-pressure” weekend of work with Lange, which led to years of work together. His test was a single from Britney Spears’ 2000 album Oops … I Did It Again.
Spears’ sound is quite different from Five Finger Death Punch, the heavy metal band for whom Churko has produced eight albums. Being good at his job means being “a little bit of a chameleon and be(ing) able to adjust to the vibe in the room,” he said.
Churko chose to set up shop in Las Vegas, moving there with his family — wife Kemnay and nowadult children Kane and Khloe — when Los Angeles proved much more expensive.
Plus, Vegas boasted bands like Five Finger Death Punch, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, and Panic at the Disco.
“I just thought, ‘You know, this could really be a happening place.’”
With record companies relying on couriers anyway, “they could Fedex it to Vegas” just as easily as L.A.
Today, his kids work alongside him, Khloe as manager of the Hideout Recording Studio and Kane as a producer/engineer.
It has been a while since Churko’s most recent Juno nomination in 2014 — though a Grammy nomination and Dove Award win have happened in the interim.
In any case, awards aren’t the beall and end-all. They’re “that extra little perk,” he said.
“Because most of us beat ourselves up pretty consistently on a day-to-day basis, trying to do better and trying to write that better song and get that better mix and make a bigger selling record,” he added.
“It’s kind of a never-ending try and fail, and every now and then you try and succeed in a way that’s important to others, and it’s nice for other people to acknowledge that.”
After eight Juno nominations for recording and producing, “I figure at this point, I’ve won four … and it’s time for some other people to win and have their moment in the sun,” he said.
To cap a 40-minute phone interview, Churko wanted to end with words of encouragement to people living in smaller communities like Moose Jaw. Living there was “really a way to really get good and to have the time and affordability to really work on your craft. And these days, it really doesn’t matter where you live. Billie Eilish could have made her record sitting in Moose Jaw just as well as she could sitting in wherever she lives.”
Churko said he wants to “make sure that people in Saskatchewan realize it’s not necessarily a liability to live there. It’s a great influence to pull from and gives you a great platform of being a great human being.”
It’s kind of a never ending try and fail, and every now and then you try and succeed in a way that’s important to others, and it’s nice for other people to acknowledge that.
JOHN ANTONIUK Musician who performs as Smokekiller, and duos with his wife, Jen Lane.
Q How do you feel about the Junos being in Saskatoon?
A I think it’s pretty exciting. It’s good for the local community to have a chance to sort of step up into a higher-profile showcase. … And I think it’s really great for the local community as well that’s always been supportive of the music scene.
Q What are your Bridge City must-see/must-do’s?
A I would take in Amigos for some of the best Mexican food in town … It’s 30 years and running of live music and it’s a staple in Canada for bands up and coming, and larger touring acts have started there and still come back and play there once in a while.
Q Are there any bands/artists you’re excited to see?
A I think it’s really great to see The Sheepdogs come home and do the big kickoff concert. I think that’s a big highlight for the city and it’s something to be very proud of, that those guys have done what they’ve done over the years.
“There’s a band from Toronto that’s good friends of ours, Ferraro, they’re coming to town and they’re just kind of breaking out right now, so that’s someone people should keep their eye on too. … Devin Cuddy’s going to be in town too; he’s a good friend of ours.
Q Are you hoping for any celebrity sightings?
A I’ve been so out of the loop for the last three years, I’m not sure if I’d recognize them if they walked past me . ... I think from years of touring, we’ve just learned that all these people are regular people, no matter the size of the career and whatnot.
SUSAN BUSSE
Publicist
Q How do you feel about the Junos being in Saskatoon?
A I’m excited because I’m in the industry, and having the most prestigious and national event happening right in my city, I get to be part of a lot of it. But I’m also excited for my friends and family and all the audience members who get to participate in it, too.
Q What are your Bridge City must-see/must-do’s?
A If people haven’t been yet, the Remai Modern is a really cool experience. If you’re coming here for your arts and culture experience, you should tag that on. Also, it depends if it’s a family
— the Western Development Museum is always pretty cool, great history of Saskatchewan, and it’s a fun thing to do if you haven’t been there.
Q Are there any bands/artists you’re excited to see?
A What I’m most excited about is the Songwriters’ Circle on Sunday … oh my gosh, I’m really excited. Whitehorse is going to be there, Nuela Charles I’m really excited to hear — and I love these songwriter’s circles because it’s all stripped down. It’s just the artist, the guitar, and a story.
Q Are you hoping for any celebrity sightings?
A I’m just really excited to see all of this great music live. The best musicians from across Canada, all here in our city multiple days in a row — That’s what I’m most looking forward to.
MARIO LEPAGE Electro-pop musician who performs in the band Ponteix
Q How do you feel about the Junos being in Saskatoon?
A I think it’s super cool. A lot of the time, being in Canada, Saskatoon gets overlooked a lot by touring musicians and stuff like that. So it’s a really cool opportunity, with the Juno Fest, for local artists to get some visibility with people that are coming from industry everywhere, and also for artists to discover the city.
Q What are your Bridge City must-see/must-do’s?
A I’ve had some out of town friends coming from Montreal or Toronto or whatever, and … I always invite them to my house (in St. Denis) to come and play crib. But in Saskatoon — go by the river, the river’s beautiful.
Q Are there any bands/artists you’re excited to see?
A I am really, really excited about Patrick Watson. And I would love to see Alexandra Streliski, who is a piano player who’s super, super, super talented. Those two are kind of my favourite artists that are nominated for stuff and I hope will be there.
Q Are you hoping for any celebrity sightings?
A I’m really terrible with celebrities. If I interact with anyone that I’m really excited about, I kind of tend to pretend like I don’t know them. I got to write a couple songs with one of my heroes who was in the band Karkwa, Louis-jean Cormier. He’s a big, big influence, and I remember just really trying hard to not make him realize that I’m a huge fan of his. So I kind of try to shy away from celebrities.
LENORE MAIER Musician in garage surf trio The Garrys
Q How do you feel about the Junos being in Saskatoon?
A I think it’s really exciting. … People overlook Saskatchewan in general I think on a national scale music-wise a lot, and things like this put Saskatoon in the spotlight.
Q What are your Bridge City must-see/must-do’s?
A If I was a tour guide, I would recommend somebody go to Wanuskewin . ... It’s a wonderful space with really lovely energy and it gives Indigenous history on the plains the space it deserves or it doesn’t really have anywhere else. I would suggest going to Shelter for some beer, Shelter Brewing, it’s a microbrewery, go there for a pint. And then go to Fuddruckers for food, because I don’t think there’s a Fuddruckers around anywhere else.
Q Are there any bands/artists you’re excited to see?
A “I would really like to see Mariel Buckley. She’s based out of Alberta. … I feel like Mariel Buckley is an artist who deserves a big platform, same with Terra Lightfoot. I don’t know if they’re going to be there or not.
Q Are you hoping for any celebrity sightings?
A Hopefully Dan Aykroyd or somebody will be there.
GILLIAN SNIDER Musician, songwriter
Q How do you feel about the Junos being in Saskatoon?
A It gives a lot of attention to Saskatoon. Because Saskatoon is a very thriving and supportive music community … I meet other artists that come through and I also host house concerts, so I meet touring artists and every time they come here they’re like, ‘I can’t believe how much is going on in Saskatoon.’ ... Surprisingly enough, it’s still a hidden gem when it comes to the arts.
Q What are your Bridge City must-see/must-do’s?
A Even though it is winter, if I have people staying at my house that are touring musicians, I take them out to Chief Whitecap (Trail) and Furdale, to show them what a spectacular place we have literally 10 minutes outside the city, where you can walk for several kilometres along the river.
Q Are there any bands/artists you’re excited to see?
A My two that I’m most excited about that are going to be playing are the Jazz Showcase at The Bassment — Laila Biali is going to be hosting it, and Elizabeth Shepherd is going to be playing, she’s one of my all-time favourites — and also friends of mine … their group is called The Small Glories. Definitely worth seeing.
Q Are you hoping for any celebrity sightings?
A If he’s here, Ben Caplan — he’s somebody that I love, he’s innovative and very cool. I would love to be able to sit down and have a whiskey with him.
ERIC PAETKAU Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra artistic director, conductor
Q How do you feel about the Junos being in Saskatoon?
A I think it’s great. I think it’s exciting that they share it in different cities around Canada. I’ve been to two already — one in Toronto and one in Winnipeg — so it’s nice to have it in Saskatoon, in our home city, and bring all the artists here and get them excited about what we have to offer.
Q What are your Bridge City must-see/must-do’s?
A First of all, the food scene: Ayden, Little Grouse, you name it. Collective Coffee, you could go on and on. But the restaurants and the coffee shops, all of that. And of course, the Remai art gallery is just spectacular.
Q Are there any bands/artists you’re excited to see?
A On the classical side, I’ve got a couple of friends. Marina Thibeault, she’s a violist, she’s coming in and I’ll be definitely seeing her … it’s nice that Alessia Cara is hosting, I enjoy her music.
Q Are you hoping for any celebrity sightings?
A Just old friends that are there. If we happen to run into someone, that’ll be great … when you’re hanging out at the after parties you meet so many different people. Last time I went I was talking to Fred Penner and then I was talking to Corb Lund, we were having a nice chat, then you go and meet and hang out with Blue Rodeo … it’s always a great mix.
EARL PEREIRA Performer and producer, currently with The Steadies
Q How do you feel about the Junos being in Saskatoon?
A I remember when it first came here in 2007, the excitement. That was the very first time the Junos came to Saskatoon, Nelly Furtado was the host … now fast forward 13 years later and it’s back again. I think the city’s just as excited, I think the Junos have only grown that much more since. There’s a big buzz as it’s approaching.
Q What are your Bridge City must-see/must-do’s?
A I’d recommend taking a little stroll along the river, taking in the beauty that is the riverbank … on hopefully not too cold of a day, right up to the weir from the art gallery is just beautiful.
Q Are there any bands/artists you’re excited to see?
A I haven’t seen City and Colour live … he’s just such a talented songwriter, kind of one of the new Leonard Cohen types in our modern day Canadian music scene … he’s definitely someone I look up to for that.
Q Are you hoping for any celebrity sightings?
A “I’d love to run into Jann (Arden) again. We have history — she tried getting my old band signed to her label back in the day and would come see us at club shows in Edmonton when she used to live there. I haven’t seen her in so long … and she’s just a great person, super funny.”