For Immediate Release
Manitoban wins “Producer of the Year” at Western Canadian Music Awards
Arun Chaturvedi celebrates big win at Whitehorse awards ceremony
(Winnipeg, Sunday October 23, 2011) Winnipeg producer Arun Chaturvedi is used to cheering on his clients during the Western Canadian Music Awards – sharing their anticipation, nervousness, joy and sometimes, pain. This year, however, Chaturvedi took to the podium himself, winning Producer of the Year honours at the industry awards ceremony in Whitehorse, YT on Saturday October 22, 2011.
“What an honour! Producing music is something I’m very passionate about and take very seriously. To be recognized by my peers feels very special to me. Also being the only Manitoba nominee in the Producer of the Year category feels nice. I love Winnipeg and Manitoba, so it’s especially nice to bring an award home – plus, the Winnipeg Jets won last night, so it’s a double win!,” says an exuberant Chaturvedi.
*Note: Arun Chaturvedi may be reached for phone interviews on Sunday morning at Whitehorse’s Westmark Hotel at 1-800-544-0970 (Room 243). Media may also call publicist Lisa Saunders at 204-799-4641 to arrange an interview.
The WCMA award follows a whirlwind year for Chaturvedi, who is a full-time songwriter/producer. This past year, Chaturvedi co-produced Little Hawk’s Juno-nominated album Vigilance; and landed the opportunity to write and produce Kim Kardashian’s wedding scene music for the blockbuster TV program Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Chaturvedi has also licensed music to film and TV shows like Bad Girls Club, Pretty Little Liars, Being Erica, Degrassi, Lipstick Jungle, and Casino Jack starring Kevin Spacey. Chaturvedi also worked on new recordings for popular Manitoba artists like FLO, Jaylene Johnson, Don Amero and Desiree Dorion. Arun also writes for and manages emerging artist James Struthers. “I really appreciate the artists who trust me with producing their music. It’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. I’m very excited about the music I’m currently producing for James Struthers. He’s a great talent and has become a good friend,” Chaturvedi says.
While Arun works behind the scenes, his work is crucial to the success of a recording. Not only does Arun oversee and manage the recording process, he also guides each song’s arrangement, brainstorms ideas, coaches artists, controls the recording session, and often co-writes songs.
While Chaturvedi is thrilled by the award, he remains modest when describing what it takes to be a truly great music producer. “I don’t have all the answers. I’m still learning, but I have really good “ears” and play a lot of instruments, which helps in the recording process. Sometimes knowing when to get out of the way and to let the artist do their thing is important. I also think it’s essential to have great people skills and to learn how to get the best performance out of an artist,” says Chaturvedi.
The Western Canadian Music Awards (www.breakoutwest.ca) honour the music recording industries of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon. The weekend celebration also features a two-day festival called Breakout West, where Chaturvedi is performing along with fellow Manitoban Don Amero.
Whitehorse’s Yukon Arts Centre will host the WCMA Awards Gala on Sunday evening, October 23 - the pinnacle of the event.
Listen to Arun Chaturvedi’s solo music at www.myspace.com/arunc
Media inquiries can be directed to publicist Lisa Saunders at 204.799.4641 or lisa@soundstrategy.ca.
Biography - Arun Chaturvedi:
From CBG Artist Development, the same incubator that has nurtured some of the planet's most prolific songwriters, producers and artists - including Chantal Kreviazuk, Luke McMaster and Chris Burke-Gaffney, comes Arun Chaturvedi.
Some may remember Arun as the front man for Canadian modern rock group "Driver", who performed the 2005 radio hit "She Laughed at Me". Since that time, you'd likely find the multi-instrumentalist behind the mixing console as the "go-to" record producer/songwriter for a host of up and coming artists including 2011 Juno Nominee Little Hawk, James Struthers, Don Amero and many more. Arun also co-manages emerging artist, singer/songwriter James Struthers with Glen Willows of Burning Circus Management (Inward Eye, Ash Koley).
In 2010 Arun released his first solo recording, a beautiful collection of sparse, piano based songs. Two tracks from this record were featured in the popular reality series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and since then, Arun has become a regular contributor of music to the series.
Arun was named "Producer of The Year" at the 2011 Western Canadian Music Awards, and his songs and productions have been used in feature films and television shows, including Being Erica, Degrassi, Pretty Little Liars, Casino Jack (starring Kevin Spacey) and more.
