Just Us Folk

There’s a lot of truth to the expression, “music is medicine.” Research has shown listening to music can reduce blood pressure, anxiety and pain while also improving the quality of sleep, your mood, mental awareness and memory. Playing music does all of that. It’s also thought to be a ‘total brain workout’, strengthening the immune system, improving emotions, and even helping physical recovery from stroke or injury.

Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Berk Jodoin knows first-hand the benefits music can provide. As a recovering alcoholic, being able to write, record and perform music has allowed him to keep his mind occupied in a constructive way. In the past five years, Berk has released three albums, a self-titled disc in 2020, 2022’s Half Breed and 2024’s Fly Away.

“Music has been a part of my recovery regimen,” he said. “The songwriting especially has been huge in my healing.”

Berk has also found artistic success in his recovery. Half Breed earned him a 2023 Saskatchewan Music Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year and a nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Berk has looked to artists such as Waylon Jennings and Steve Earle to find the musical template for his songs.

“With Steve, it’s the things he sings about that resonate with me,” Berk said. “He’s a brave man to tackle the subjects he does.”

One of Berk’s songs, ‘Indian Boy,’ is about his grandfather, who was taken from his parents to live in a residential school when he was just six years old.

“It was a very difficult song to write,” Berk said. “Even today I get emotional just talking about it. But once I’m into singing it, I’m alright.”

Many are the times where Berk is sitting down with his guitar, a pen and paper, only to find tears streaming down his face from the emotional toll of creating a new song.

“It’s hard to do,” he said. “You’re really picking at raw emotions. You’re not making things up.”

What Berk has learned from writing, is the importance of the songs.

“I have no problem with controversy as long as what I’m singing is true,” he said.

Berk’s most recent album, Fly Away, has special meaning to him as it’s sort of a family affair. One daughter played bass on all of the tracks, another daughter sang on some songs, his son sang on one track while his wife provided hand claps on another.

“I include them on everything I’m doing because I want them to share in this experience,” he said.

At the moment, music is still Berk’s second career. He still has a day job along with coaching minor hockey and raising his family. But he knows being busy is the best thing for him.

A big boost for Berk has been management support from Meriläinen Müsic.

“If it wasn’t for Laura Meriläinen I wouldn’t know which way to turn or which way to go,” he said. “All I’ve got to do now is write, record and sing!”

For more on Berk Jodoin and Fly Away, go to https://www.berkjodoinmusic.net/