John Zytaruk profile picture

John Zytaruk

About Me

Currently based in Toronto I am a producer and multi-instrumentalist working primarily with my partner singer-songwriter Collette Savard. Recently I have had the pleasure of working with Buck 65. This year we collaborated on a number of new tracks, four of which are on his magnum opus "Dirtbike." Last December I accompanied him at the annual Holiday Jam benefit concert at the Phoenix Concert Theatre alongside Sarah Harmer, Sam Roberts, Matt Mays, Kathleen Edwards and The Tragically Hip. We also recorded a limited edition acoustic EP together called “Porch” which I produced and recorded in Grandma's House, the home studio I share with Collette. In addition to producing Collette Savard's 2005 CD "Most Improved Cheerleader" and her brand new "Zen Boyfriend" I also co-produced Leah Salomaa's 2004 CD "I Like To Rise." I also work with Toronto folk duo William & Polly and recently produced two songs for Montreal's Milie Croche. My discography includes "Amour Fou" 1995 cassette, "Music From The Petrified Forest" 2000 CD of a theatre soundtrack, and "I Like You As A Friend" 2001 CD. My soundtrack music includes contributions to the score of the film "Surface Textures" by Montreal director Keero Singh Birla. Other notable events for me: Johnny Rotten once told me to piss off on live TV and I have been hugged by Mavis Staples. After meeting and hanging out with him I was personally blessed by Dr. John. I auditioned on bass for Voivod and got to jam with them three times. I also directed two videos for Sacrifice and one for DBC. Currently I am working on music for a future solo instrumental release. In addition to music I also enjoy photography. Check out my photoblog at minicamfan. You are also invited to visit me on virb.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/23/2006
Band Website: www.collettesavard.com
Band Members: Collette Savard: vocals, guitar, dulcimer, banjo, ukuleleJohn Zytaruk: guitar, mandolin, banjo, lap steel, loops, back vocals
Influences: Howlin Wolf, Bill Frisell, Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, Miles Davis, Bruce Cockburn, Slayer, Roy Halee, Joy Division, Mac Rebennack, Sun Ra, David Grisman, Glenn Gould, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Reich, Led Zeppelin, Robert Pete Williams, Al Tharp, Charlie Christian, Tangerine Dream, Louis Armstrong, Dwayne Goettel, Jon Hassell, Warren Zevon, Son House, Randy Newman, Simon & Garfunkel, Yoko Ono, Charlie Parker, David Lindley, Hugh Marsh, Rick Haworth, Pat Metheny, Mark Sandman, Shivkumar Sharma, David Torn, Eric Dolphy, James Taylor, MC 900 Ft. Jesus, Sonny Sharrock, Trouble, Chris Coole, Elvin Jones, Dock Boggs, J Dilla, Eric B, Schooly D, Ry Cooder, Steve Earle, Jesse Johnson, Carly Simon, The Wild Tchoupitoulas, America, Sly Stone, Dan Lanois, Blind Willie Johnson, Voivod, JS Bach
Sounds Like: nothing else
Record Label: Independent
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

More Dirtbike songs

More of the collaborations with Buck 65 have been uploaded now-the two beats that appear on the third and final installment of 'DirtBike' 'Whoa Buck' and 'White People Are On Drugs.'  I had blast work...
Posted by on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:47:00 GMT

New music with Buck 65

I just put up two of the beats I recorded with Buck 65 this year:  'No Man's Land.'  and 'Paper Airplane.' These songs can be found in 'Dirtbike 2/3' the second installment of his giant wood shedding ...
Posted by on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:13:00 GMT

Overseas feedback...

...on Porch: "I am pretty sure that the release of the fresh collection Porch of Buck 65 and John Zytaruk will lead to never-ending line of boys and girls at the entrance doors of the musical shops ...
Posted by on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:27:00 GMT

Collette Savard CD Release

Just a short message to remind folks that this Thursday May 22nd we will be having the official CD release concert for the brand new recording "Zen Boyfriend." It will take place at The Cameron House ...
Posted by on Mon, 19 May 2008 20:51:00 GMT

Copies of "Porch"

In case anyone is interested I now have a very limited number of copies of "Porch" available which I will be selling ONLY at my live shows with Collette. They're going to go for $10. "Porch" is my aco...
Posted by on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:32:00 GMT

DIY Pedalboard

With my recent acquisition of a groovy looping pedal (Boss RC 20 XL) I realized it was finally time to get myself some kind of pedalboard to organize things and to make onstage set-ups and transitions...
Posted by on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:41:00 GMT

Sonny Sharrock's Words Of Wisdom

Back in the early nineties, in Montreal, I was lucky enough to see Sonny Sharrock perform with his band in small club on St. Catharine St. I arrived so early I was the first one there and Sonny himsel...
Posted by on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:48:00 GMT

Concert of the Year (so far...)

Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain playing classical Indian music at the Toronto Arts Center Friday night. Unbelievable. I had pretty high expectations for this show but they were easily exceeded. My ...
Posted by on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:44:00 GMT

Playing in Montreal

What a fine weekend we just had in Montreal: playing live on CHOQ and doing a concert at L'Escogriffe with our good friends William & Polly (featuring, of course, The Lake Vernon Drowning.) Great ...
Posted by on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 08:39:00 GMT

TROUBLE

Incredible show here in Toronto last week: Chicago doom legends TROUBLE performed at Lee's Palace and just blew me away. Here's a band that actually started in 1979 and is still playing better than ev...
Posted by on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 09:01:00 GMT