Catching up with John Paul Peters

The local recording engineer talks about working with Royal Canoe and Propagandhi

Local recording engineer John Paul Peters, pictured here in November 2008, is currently working in the studio with revered punk band Propagandhi. Mark Reimer/Uniter Archives

It used to be that whenever local recording engineer John Paul Peters’s name was mentioned in print, it was followed by the band name Comeback Kid in parentheses. He did, after all, make a name for himself by producing, engineering and mixing the band’s landmark 2003 debut, Turn It Around.

But since then, the 34-year-old has continued his career by working with a diverse list of bands, including The Ripperz, Evil Survives, SubCity, Electro Quarterstaff, Hope Atlantic and Matt Epp.

One of Peters’s most recent projects is Extended Play, the new EP from Royal Canoe. His relationship with the band goes back a number of years, as he and Royal Canoe lead singer Matt Peters played in the same hardcore band, Officer Down, for a year in the late ‘90s.

John Paul also produced Holding on to Whatever It Is, the acclaimed 2008 album by Matt’s other band, The Waking Eyes.

More recently, the two – who are not related – have worked together engineering and producing albums by local musicians like Demetra and Jenny Berkel.

John Paul says that working with Royal Canoe was rewarding.

“They’re extremely creative guys and I find their music fascinating,” he said by phone on a Friday afternoon at the beginning of February while munching on plantain chips. “(Their music) has elements of indie rock, but it’s also got a lot of groove and elements of hip hop in it as well. … That’s what I like about (their music) – it’s diverse.”

John Paul says that he and Matt get along so well because their ideas are often on the same page and they don’t have to spend 20 minutes explaining what they’re thinking to each other.

“I have a sense of what he’s going for, and he has a sense of how I will benefit the project,” John Paul said. “We can be blunt with each other and opinionated, and we don’t really take offense.”

I have a sense of what he’s going for, and he has a sense of how I will benefit the project. We can be blunt with each other and opinionated, and we don’t really take offense.”

John Paul Peters on his working relationship with Matt Peters of Royal Canoe

Right now, John Paul is recording Propagandhi’s new album at his studio, Private Ear. The legendary Winnipeg punk band started recording during the third week of January. When he spoke with The Uniter, John Paul estimated they were half finished the recording process.

When asked how Propagandhi’s new material compares to its previous albums, John Paul said that there are a broader variety of songs on the new album.

“(There’s) super high energy stuff, and other songs that diverge slightly sonically into (a) more maybe retrospective feel on certain songs and a little bit more rock on certain songs,” he said.

“It’s definitely not lacking any high energy. There are songs that are four and a half minutes, and there are songs that are one minute. So, it’s going to be what you’d hope for from a Propagandhi record. … I’m very excited about it.”

Peters is also scheduled to work with singer-songwriter Alexander McCowan in 2012, as well as theatrical funk rockers Mas Headspace and punk band Minority Justice League.

Albums Peters recorded last year with JP Hoe and Mahogany Frog should see the light of day in 2012 as well.

It’s been almost 10 years since the release of Comeback Kid’s Turn It Around. Would Peters work with the band again?

“Of course,” he said. “I’d be happy to do it. They’re old friends. I haven’t seen them much in the last number of years … but I like what they do and they’re a solid bunch. If they wanted to keep it local (for their next record), I’d be on their page.”

Visit www.johnpaulpeters.com.

Related articles:
Royal Canoe: Of bathtubs and drum beats

Related Reads