Preview
Kyle Riabko
Wednesday, February 18
Jack Singer Concert Hall
(Epcor Centre)
Oh, to be 16 again. Getting your driver’s licence, hanging out with your friends, signing your first record deal….
What do you mean you didn’t have a record deal when you were 16? Kyle Riabko does – although even he’s a bit surprised by that.
"I didn’t expect for it to happen this soon," the Saskatoon-based guitarist and songwriter says of his agreement with Chicago’s Aware Records. "It’s really a cliché, but it’s true – when it happens, it happens fast. You sign that record deal, and it’s time to work, and it’s so awesome.
"I don’t know if it’s changed my approach creatively," he adds, explaining that he and manager Chris Burke-Gaffney (who’s also worked with Chantal Kreviazuk) have been able to maintain the successful work habits they’d forged before the deal came about. "But as far as my thought pattern, it’s definitely changed that, because now it’s kind of a dream-come-true thing. I’m so excited, and I know that anything’s possible at this point."
The deal with Aware (also home to John Mayer and Five For Fighting) touched off a slew of happenings for Riabko. In the last little while, he’s been jet-setting to L.A. to record an EP and to Toronto to meet with executives at Sony (Aware’s parent company). His song "Waiting" has also been included on the soundtrack of the film Win A Date With Tad Hamilton.
"I don’t even know (how that happened)," he admits. "That’s another weird thing about being signed is things happen without you even knowing – not that I didn’t have any say in it or anything like that!"
Apart from a 20-minute teaser Riabko hasn’t seen the film yet, although he says his (very supportive!) parents give it two thumbs up. But further film work – either in front of or behind the camera – isn’t something he’s ruling out.
"I love films. As a hobby, I like to do a lot of filmmaking with my friends…. Maybe it’s over-ambitious, but it’s something I’m really interested in."
But at the moment, he adds, "I want to be known as a musician first and foremost. That’s my art. And someday I might find something else that I enjoy just as much, but for now, it’s all about the music."
It’s been all about the music for a while, in fact. Riabko first picked up a guitar at the age of 10, and by 14 was the guitarist and singer for the now-defunct Saskatoon trio Motep’s Groove. In addition to gigging professionally, Riabko’s been active in his high school’s band and drama programs. He played Jesus in a production of Godspell, and is a member of both the jazz and concert bands (he plays clarinet in the latter).
"It’s funny doing them both at the same time," he says, "because when you’re doing your own rock ’n’ roll band, you’re in charge and you get to make the music that has an emotional impact on yourself. But in concert band, you sit there and play the music in front of you and you just learn from the teacher. So it’s a totally different experience. I love them both, but concert band for me was always just a part of school."
Yet he adds, "As a result of concert band, I have an appreciation for classical music now…. Everything you do in life makes you listen to music differently."
While his schedule has forced him to take a break from these ensembles this semester – he’s doing his course work over the Internet right now – Riabko’s keenly aware of the importance of other people in his career. Although his recent gigs have mostly been solo acoustic performances, he does have a band in Saskatoon, which he considers a crucial part of both his music and his education.
"Playing with other musicians is the best thing you could ever do…. The most important thing, if you want to learn how to play music better, is to not be self-indulgent – to let other people teach you through their music."
It quickly becomes clear that Riabko is both openly joyful and refreshingly grounded about what he’s doing.
"One of the greatest things I’ve learned is that music isn’t life, but it’s one of the closest ways to express what you’re feeling in life," he says.
"I love music so much – it’s hard for me to describe how much I love it."
Keep it up, kiddo.
CELEB TOP FIVE
Kyle Riabko’s Top Five things to do in Saskatoon when you’re 16:
1. Go to the open, all-ages jam at Bud’s on Saturday afternoon
2. Shovel snow
3. Read (Kyle recommends Yann Martel’s Life Of Pi)
4. Hang out in parking lots (not that Kyle does this himself…)
5. Play hockey |
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