Inside the Music with StereoRuss

"Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Badly" with Gareth Inkster of Golden Feather

Gareth Inkster is an independent singer/songwriter and pianist for the band Golden Feather from Hamilton, Ontario. Today we sit down for a deep, thoughtful conversation about creativity, authenticity, and what it means to be a musician in a world obsessed with outcomes.
We talk about Gareth’s journey through the Hamilton music scene, his role in Golden Feather, and why long form, exploratory music still matters. Gareth also shares the story behind his recent Manitoulin Island recording project, where he recorded songs on the road using minimal gear, embracing imperfection, place, and process over polish. 
 
Credits: Recorded at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, Ontario
Produced by StereoRuss and StereoRuss Media
Production Assistant: Michelle Palau
 
Listen to Gareth Inkster https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@garethinkster⁩  https://www.instagram.com/garethinkster/
Listen to Golden Feather https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@goldenfeatherband⁩  https://www.instagram.com/goldenfeatherband/
Connect with StereoRuss https://www.instagram.com/StereoRuss https://www.TikTok.com/@StereoRuss https://www.youtube.com/@StereoRuss
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The First Aysanabee Song You Should Listen To with Aysanabee

Aysanabee is a two-time Juno award winning artist who will be playing at Bridgeworks in Hamilton, Ontario this Sunday December 7 in support of his third and latest album “Edge of the Earth”.
In this interview, we dive into the making of "Edge of the Earth", the story behind its album cover, and Aysanabee’s journey through 180+ shows across the world. We also get into his soul and folk influences, the Indigenous openers on this tour, his band, and the songs he recommends new listeners start with.
 
Listen to Aysanabee
https://www.youtube.com/c/Aysanabee
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jbEBKJhX4rRmHD6xW6ve5
https://www.instagram.com/_aysanabee_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@aysanabee
 
 
Connect with StereoRuss
https://www.youtube.com/@StereoRuss
https://www.instagram.com/StereoRuss
https://www.TikTok.com/@StereoRuss
 
Become an Inside the Music Insider
https://www.stereoruss.com

How One DJ Turned His Passion Into a Record Shop with DJ Mark of Dr Disc Records

Mark Furukawa (aka DJ Mark) is the owner of Dr. Disc Records, legendary Hamilton DJ, community builder, and one of the city’s most enduring champions of local music.
 
Mark has been running Dr. Disc since 1991, outlasting corporate giants like HMV, surviving the Napster era, and navigating the chaos of COVID. We also talk DJ philosophy, the emotional power of physical music, and the joy of creating space for local musicians to thrive.
 
Whether you’re a Hamilton lifer, a vinyl collector, or a musician carving your path, this conversation is a love letter to music and community.
 
Credits
Recorded at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, Ontario
Produced by StereoRuss and StereoRuss Media
Production Assistant: Michelle Palau
 
Connect with DJ Mark and Dr. Disc
https://www.instagram.com/heresdjmark/
https://www.instagram.com/drdischamilton/
https://www.facebook.com/drdisc.ca
 
Connect with StereoRuss
https://www.instagram.com/StereoRuss
https://www.TikTok.com/@StereoRuss
 
Become an Inside the Music Insider
https://www.stereoruss.com

Danny Miles of July Talk | Beats, DJing & The Beauty of Vultures

Danny Miles is the drummer for July Talk, producer, DJ, photographer, and all around creative force. We dig deep into his journey: from touring the world with July Talk, to his solo projects, producing hip-hop inspired instrumentals, and even releasing a photography and poetry book, The Beauty of Vultures.
 
Credits:
Recorded at Catherine North Studios (Hamilton, Ontario)
Produced by StereoRuss and StereoRuss Media
Production Assistant: Michelle Palau
 
Connect with Danny Miles
https://www.instagram.com/dannyptmiles/
https://www.tiktok.com/@dannyptmiles
The Beauty of Vultures – available via NeWest Press https://bookshop.newestpress.com/products/the-beauty-of-vultures
 
Connect with StereoRuss
https://www.instagram.com/StereoRuss
https://www.TikTok.com/@StereoRuss
https://www.YouTube.com/@StereoRuss
 
Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dive conversations with artists, producers, and creatives.
 
Become an Inside the Music Insider
https://www.stereoruss.com
 
#InsideTheMusic #StereoRuss #DannyMiles #JulyTalk #CanadianMusic #MusicPodcast #HamiltonMusic #MusicProduction #Drummers #CreativeJourney

Going Off the Deep End with Ariana Fig

Ariana Fig is back on Inside the Music! She is a singer, songwriter, and producer, this time with even more stories, songs, and laughs. Two years after her first interview, Ariana talks with StereoRuss about how her sound and mindset have evolved while creating her soon to be released debut album, So Long Sinner State.
 
Credits
Recorded at Catherine North Studios (Hamilton, Ontario)
Produced by StereoRuss and StereoRuss Media
Production Assistant: Michelle Palau
 
Listen to Ariana Fig Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7t96BctZBDQcfKnDfREzDg
Watch Deep End: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnheSh5Q9gU&list=RDgnheSh5Q9gU&start_radio=1
 
Connect with Ariana Fig
https://www.instagram.com/arianafig_ https://www.tiktok.com/@arianafig_ https://www.youtube.com/@arianafig_
 
Connect with StereoRuss
https://www.instagram.com/StereoRuss https://www.TikTok.com/@StereoRuss https://www.YouTube.com/@StereoRuss
 
Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dive conversations with artists, producers, and creatives
 
Become an Inside the Music Insider
https://www.stereoruss.com
#InsideTheMusic #StereoRuss #ArianaFig #CanadianMusic #MusicPodcast #HamiltonMusic #MusicProduction #DeepEnd #CreativeJourney

Inside the Abyss with Public Health (August 2025)

StereoRuss goes on location at Into the Abyss Records with Public Health, Hamilton’s latest noise rock quartet. They talk about building community through DIY spaces, pushing sonic boundaries with harsh tones and feedback, and the inspirations that shaped their sound.
Topics in this interview:
What makes a DIY venue different from a bar
How Public Health evolved from psych rock to noise rock
The recording process of their debut album (including vocals tracked in a bathroom!)
Hamilton’s thriving underground scene and must hear local bands
Why they want to be as LOUD as possible
Recorded on location at Into the Abyss Records, Hamilton, Ontario
 
Follow and Listen to Public Health:
https://www.instagram.com/thatbandpublichealth/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0MCefTY9OCT6sMXXs6TMbQ
 
Follow Inside the Music:https://instagram.com/stereorusshttps://tiktok.com/@stereorusshttps://youtube.com/@stereoruss
Become an Inside the Music Insider:https://stereoruss.com

Beats, Balance & Buddha Vibes with Buddha Abusah (August 2025)

Buddha Abusah is a hip hop artist, producer, engineer, who brings his raw and honest energy for an uplifting conversation about music, fatherhood, and staying true to your path.
Buddha opens up about the meaning behind his name, the philosophy of be, do, have, and why he believes creativity should never be compromised by ego, money, or outside expectations. The two talk about the balance between family and art, how to maintain your creative fire through life’s ups and downs, and the story behind Buddha’s new Just About Love EP, a heartfelt dedication to his wife and family.
They also dive into beat making and production philosophy: kicks vs. snares, why the shaker is the secret sauce, and how emotional resonance guides Buddha’s entire creative process. Plus, he shares the origin story of his group Greenhouse Collective, and why he believes conversation and collaboration are at the heart of everything.
This episode is packed with insight for musicians, producers, dreamers, and anyone trying to live a life of purpose and passion.
 
Follow Buddha Abusah:
https://www.instagram.com/itsbuddahabusah/
https://www.instagram.com/buddahvibes/
https://buddahvibes.com/
 
Follow and Listen to The Greenhouse Collective:https://www.instagram.com/itsgreenhousecollective/
https://www.youtube.com/@itsgreenhousecollective
 
Follow Inside the Music:https://instagram.com/stereorusshttps://tiktok.com/@stereorusshttps://youtube.com/@stereoruss
Become an Inside the Music Insider:https://stereoruss.com

Inside a Music Publicist’s Mind with Adam Bentley of Auteur Research/Echo Myron (July 2025)

StereoRuss visits the eclectic Tape Studio for conversation with Adam Bentley: musician, producer, and founder of the music marketing company Auteur Research (since recording the company has changed it's name to Echo Myron). Adam opens up about his early days in the Hamilton indie scene, how a fictional label and a MySpace hustle turned into a 15+ year career helping artists reach new audiences, and why the title “Dreamcrusher” isn’t as harsh as it sounds.
The two discuss the evolution of music marketing, from blog hype to today’s playlist economy and short form video strategies. Adam also talks about his experimental electronic project Allegories, the creative process behind their new song “Dreamcrusher,” and how ukuleles are a useful instrument to write music with.
This episode is packed with insight for emerging artists, longtime gearheads, and anyone interested in what it takes to stay creative and survive in a shifting music industry landscape.
Follow Adam Bentley and Auteur Research:
https://instagram.com/echo.myron
https://echomyron.com/
echo@echomyron.com
 
Listen to Allegories:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=490GK1T1gzY&ab_channel=AlA.Gore-Reese
https://www.instagram.com/allegoriestype/
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://instagram.com/stereoruss
https://TikTok.com/@stereoruss
https://youtube.com/@stereoruss
 
Become an Inside the Music Insider:
https://stereoruss.com

How an English Musician Ended Up Starting a Label in Canada | Danny Smart (July 2025)

Danny Smart is a producer, musician, and podcast host working out of the vibrant Halo Studio in Hamilton, Ontario.
Originally from a small town in England, Danny shares his journey from cruise ship performer to becoming a key player in Hamilton’s music scene. He reflects on his love for country music, his early musical influences (shoutout Johnny Cash), and what ultimately drew him to Canada, and to Hamilton.
The two dive into Danny’s work at Halo Studio, his passion for community, and his efforts to build something bigger through his podcast "Tones of the Hammer" and a new micro label focused on artist development and collaboration. Danny talks openly about the importance of trying, failing, and trying again, and why creating content and sharing stories is vital to a thriving music scene.
This episode is for anyone building something from scratch, chasing curiosity, or just curious about what makes Hamilton such a hidden musical gem.
 
Follow Danny Smart:
https://www.youtube.com/@dannysmartmusic https://www.instagram.com/dannysmartmusic https://www.tiktok.com/@dannnysmartmusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/23Id1ibGLRHwEd9zgd0KJ0
 
Follow Tones of the Hammer Records: https://www.youtube.com/@TonesOfTheHammerRecords https://www.instagram.com/tonesofthehammerrecords https://www.tiktok.com/@tonesofthehammerrecords
 
Follow Halo Studio:
https://www.halomusic.ca/ https://www.instagram.com/halomusichamilton
 
Follow StereoRuss and Inside the Music: https://www.youtube.com/@StereoRuss https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
 
Become an Inside the Music Insider:
https://stereoruss.com
 

Navigating Unknown Musical Terrain with Mappe Of (July 2025)

Tom Meikle (aka Mappe Of) is a genre bending vocalist, guitarist, and electronic musician. We explore the layered, emotional worlds behind his music and discuss his upcoming album Afterglades which will be released September 19.
Recorded at Catherine North Studios, Tom’s creative second home, Tom opens up about his creative process, from guitar-forward songwriting to glitchy modular synth experimentation, and even building glitch textures by importing .exe software files into Audacity (yes, really!).
Whether you're a fan of ambient guitar, high-concept sound design, or just want to hear two Radiohead nerds discuss Kid A, this episode is a headphone worthy ride through some of the most inventive and heartfelt music being made today.
Songs Featured:“A Scourge Laid Upon the Earth” – Mappe Of“Honey Haze” – Mappe Of“Happiness in the Singularity” – Mappe Of
Listen to Mappe Of:https://open.spotify.com/artist/02Zxif3WoHx6ujXBSfBKOr
Follow Mappe Of:Instagram: @mappeofWebsite: https://www.mappeof.com
Follow Inside the Music:Instagram: @stereorussTikTok: @stereorussYouTube: @StereoRuss
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