WHAT IS PULSE?
Pulse Music Journal is Saskatchewan’s hub for music enthusiasts. We ‘eat/sleep/breathe’ the music and entertainment industry – plug into our outlet while we highlight new music, recap live performances, and interview the biggest names, local legends, and the newest initiatives surrounding our local music scene. We are honoured to be a leading cultural staple in the Saskatchewan music and entertainment scene.
WE SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN’S ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC SCENE
Whether it’s reaching out to a newly released project, musician or creating a spotlight for local talent to be heard on any of our stages, as well as opportunities to be heard opening for larger acts on our full-venue stage. We look forward to reopen and launch our newest concepts that strongly support the local music in our city. The local music scene is super important to us – we are a small city, but we have big dreams. Let’s grow and support each other – putting Saskatchewan on the map for premium music and entertainment experience.
WE MET UP WITH TWO OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MOST KNOWN IN MUSIC – THE LEGENDARY KURT DAHL & KAELEN KLYPAK OF SASK MUSIC
Saskatchewan has some of the brightest and most talented creatives in the world. Music fuels our flat vast plains – from the tractor to the dance floors. The strongest music community in Canada lives in Saskatchewan. We are full of go-getters and dreamers; and we are proud of it!
Following your dreams can be hard without a little help from your friends. Our friends from Sask Music have helped pave the way for the best in new music, local heroes, touring acts, and internationally recognized artists; T-Rhyme, Samurai Champs, Reignwolf, Ponteix, respectfulchild, Close Talker, Megan Nash, and 2020 Juno Traditional Roots Album Winners – The Dead South (to name a few)
If you have been to a show, put on a show, or are a music creative, then you have probably have brushed shoulders with Kaelen Klypak and Kurt Dahl. Both have been staples in the Saskatchewan Music scene for decades. Kaelen is the kind-hearted Program Manager of Sask Music; he runs the Saskatoon Sask Music Office while managing the export and professional development programs, passionate for artist development while developing his own sound during his spare time. Kurt Dahl is the President of Sask Music; founding member and drummer of One Bad Son, an entertainment lawyer, and most importantly: a family man.
We sat down with these two legends of Saskatchewan Music to discuss the perks of Sask Music, the upbringing of an artist in Saskatchewan, advice on pursuing a career in music, One Bad Son, as well as – the elusive Kaelen Klypak and his secret life.
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“IT GIVES ME A LOT OF HOPE”
– KURT DAHL
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF YOUR JOB WORKING AT SASK MUSIC?
KAELEN KLYPAK: This is a tough one because there is so much that I love about what I do at SaskMusic. If I had to pick one aspect it would be working with artists and industry to help achieve their goals. It’s a surreal feeling to help an artist build a platform for growth to watching them tour internationally (and in some cases receive a JUNO nomination.)
MOST UNDER-UTILIZED RESOURCE FOR MUSICIANS AND PERFORMERS IN OUR CITY?
KURT DAHL: SaskMusic. I still meet musicians that aren’t aware of all the resources available to them via SaskMusic. Career advice, funding, free legal advice, mentorship, etc. Most musicians around the world don’t have the same resources at their disposal, so take advantage of it!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A PERSON ASPIRING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT?
KURT DAHL: Be in it for the long haul. Careers in the music business are a long-distance run, not a sprint. And then as we’ve seen in recent months, you need to adapt throughout the marathon. Most importantly, be kind to everyone in the race, because nobody makes it to the finish line alone.
KAELEN KLYPAK: I made a short list that has helped me throughout my journey. I also want to mention if anyone reading this is interested in pursuing a career in music feel free to reach out to me anytime at kaelen@saskmusic.org – I’m an open book and happy to chat.
• Trust your gut
• Ask questions to a trusted source and never assume
• Be kind and humble
• Research what you want to do in the music industry
• Set goals
• Volunteer
• Chat with peers. Read about the music business, book, & music blogs (ie: lawyerdrummer)
• Say yes to opportunities even if you are unsure where they will lead.
• Don’t sign anything without having a lawyer look at it
• Attend workshops to learn more about the business and network
• Adapt
CLOSE TALKER SHOWING WHAT’S GOOD FROM SASKATCHEWAN, WHILE PERFORMING IN AUSTIN, TEXAS FOR SXSW IN 2019 [photo by Kaelen Klypak]
THE RED CARPET OF THE JUNO AWARDS IN 2019 [photo by Kaelen Klypak]
THE DEAD SOUTH, WINNERS OF JUNOS 2020 – TRADITIONAL ROOTS ALBUM [photo by Elyssa Macri]
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WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE AND REWARDING ASPECT OF YOUR ROLE AS PRESIDENT OF SASK MUSIC?
KURT DAHL: I’ll always remember being elected as president for the first time. My wife and I had recently moved home to Saskatoon from Vancouver. We had our first child on the way. I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to take this new responsibility on. But I felt a calling to do it, and I followed my gut, and it turned out to be the perfect timing. I didn’t choose the opportunity; it chose me. I’m just glad I listened.
The most rewarding moment was seeing our organization give over $50,000 to musicians in our province effected by COVID-19. I wish we could have given ten times that amount, as the need was definitely there. But seeing the impact firsthand was really fulfilling. Do what you can with the resources you have. It’s all any of us can do.
YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL.
WITH ONE BAD SON EVOLVING FROM A LOCAL BAND TO A LARGE TOURING ACT – THIS HAS ALLOWED PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH YOU AND RESPECT YOUR EVOLUTION TO YOUR ROLE AS PRESIDENT OF SASK MUSIC. WHAT WAS THE KEY PART OF YOUR JOURNEY THAT HAS MADE YOU THE LEADER THAT YOU ARE FOR OUR CITY AND PROVINCE?
KURT DAHL: Wow, that is a great question. I’m lucky to be surrounded by some amazing people in my life who support me and lift me up. My wife. My family. My bandmates. The staff and board at SaskMusic. And then I work my ass off every day and stay humble along the way.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SEE KAELEN ON STAGE?
DO YOU HAVE AMBITIONS TO RELEASE ANY OF YOUR OWN MUSIC PROJECTS FOR OTHERS TO ENJOY? OR IS YOUR MUSIC SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE KEEPING FOR YOURSELF FOR NOW?
KAELEN KLYPAK: I would love to perform on your stage again and hopefully in the near future. I have a big announcement I’ll be making late August about a new project. I can’t share all the details yet, but I’m really excited to start performing again…when it’s safe to do so.
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“THAT SHAPED MY DIY WORK ETHIC …”
– KAELEN KLYPAK
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YOU ARE A STAPLE IN THE MUSIC SCENE. WHO IS KAELEN KLYPAK?
EVERYONE KNOWS YOU, BUT DO WE REALLY? TELL US SOMETHING THAT WE DON’T KNOW OR SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU.
KAELEN KLYPAK: A heartfelt thank you! That is mighty kind of you to say. I’m not sure how many people know this but I got my start in the music industry 18 years ago while playing in punk and hardcore bands. Those were formative years that shaped my DIY work ethic and drive to keep pursuing a career in this industry.
ONE MORE YEAR.
AS PRESIDENT OF SASK MUSIC, YOUR SUPPORT WAS HONOURABLE AND RESPECTED FROM TOP-TO-BOTTOM. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AFTER SASK MUSIC?
KURT DAHL: I’ve got one year left as president before I reach the six-year maximum, and then I move to the role of past president. The year ahead will come with many challenges surrounding the pandemic I’m sure. But we’re getting through it. The music industry that emerges on the other side won’t be the same as the one we had before. But the sense of resilience and togetherness in our music community will get us through. I don’t know of a music community that is stronger than the one we have here in Sask. That gives me a lot of hope for what’s to come.