Inside the Music with StereoRuss

Keegan Powell (May 23, 2024)

Canadian musician Keegan Powell makes songs that explore the mystery of pain, the release of demons and how through it all, life actually may be some kind of miracle. Start with the lofi experimental EP’s from 2019 ‘Is+Was’ and ‘Headspun’, doused in reverb, guitar solos and electronic drums. Lines from songs like ‘All That Is and Ever Was’ describes the mundane process through one’s day ‘Can’t quite decide how to pass the time/Forever on call to be great’ On ‘Previous Pain’ from 2022, Powell melancholically sings ‘Tonight everybody wants you/To be a star and sit upon your throne’ Foretelling if anything, the record garnered his first bout of serious airplay, racking up five radio single rotations on SiriusXM Radio.
The soothing acoustic howls that made Powell’s sophomore record,‘Fear Be Gone’, a college radio staple across North America proves something very clear-Powell has never stayed in one spot artistically. Not because he doesn’t want to, but because he is incapable of it. If evidence of this is his past work, Alien Radio is the sentencing in which nails his hand to the coffin. Imbued with infectious hooks and ferocious energy, Alien Radio is a compilation album composed of tracks previously released and unreleased from Powell’s archive, spanning across several separate recordings from the years 2016-2019. The tracks are a glimpse into an artist trying to overreach his ability and achieving it, only to forget about it altogether. Unearthed years later, what remains is an ultimate companion piece to his current released work. The results are crystal clear pop songs in the guise of quarter life angst that make for some of the most exciting rock music heard this decade.
Songs from Episode: 
Knocking on My Window - Keegan Powell
In My Cave - Keegan Powell
 
Follow and Listen to Keegan Powell:
https://www.instagram.com/thekeeganpowell/
https://linktr.ee/keeganpowell
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

AOIFE (May 16, 2024)

Meet AOIFE, the moniker of Irish-born, Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Aoife-Louise Doyle. A mixture of folk ethos, rock inflection and pop melodicism influences the surface of AOIFE’s soulful musical makeup. Her passion can be traced to an upbringing filled with family acapellas, later to be followed by a postsecondary trajectory as a vocal major. This paved the way for a vast array of experiences - R&B stints, jazz ensembles, compositional outlets - which informed her abilities, as well as her creative peripherals. Amidst her musical colleagues, AOIFE drew ambition to document her own world through songwriting.
The foundation of her efforts solidified as she deconstructed lines between personal themes of love, heartbreak, despondency, isolation, independence and solace. AOIFE best utilizes her voice to release subjugated emotions through a flurry of melodies, aiming to project an internal release through her message. AOIFE’s EP “when all is said and done” available for streaming now.
 
Songs from Episode:
SID - AOIFE
SAD - AOIFE
Heavy - AOIFE
I Won't Be the One - AOIFE
Daydreaming - AOIFE
 
Follow and Listen to AOIFE:
https://www.instagram.com/aoife.lou/
https://linktr.ee/AOIFE.lou
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

Moondoggy (May 9, 2024)

Moondoggy is an alternative rock band formed in 2019 in Collingwood, Ontario. Members Jakob Matanowitsch (vocals), Jonny Contini (guitar), Ben Matanowitsch (saxophone), and Victor Carrillo (drums) have spent the past 2 years playing shows in Ontario and Quebec while recording and releasing their debut studio album, “Mad and Noisy”. At present, Moondoggy is preparing for the release of their follow-up album, “Changing Seasons, Breaking Even”.
Songs from Episode:
Fate - Dr. Dog
Made It Out - Moondoggy
Passport - Moondoggy
It Gets Easier - Moondoggy
 
Follow and Listen to Moondoggy:
https://www.instagram.com/moondoggymusic/
https://linktr.ee/moondoggytheband?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=2dd785a3-55be-43b3-a4ac-9e1ba5405872
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

DANI (May 2, 2024)

DANI was born in Colombia and raised in Mississauga, where she moved when she was one. As a teenager, she played guitar in church. She competed alongside her high school acapella group, winning first place at Dufferin Peel's Music Festival senior year and finishing as a finalist in regional singing contests. 
During her time at the University of Edinburgh, DANI's passion for storytelling through songwriting reignited, marking a significant turning point in her musical journey.
Since then, DANI has used music to help others overcome challenging moments, which has earned her finalist positions at the 2024 International Tin Pan Songwriting Festival Contest through the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) and the International Coffee Music Project Contest for Best Original Song through her first single, Carolina Gold.
Songs from Episode:
Carolina Gold - DANI
Ella es Mi Fiesta - Carlos Vives
How Will I know - Whitney Houston
The House That Built Me - Tom Douglas
 
Follow and Listen to DANI:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_mymusic/
https://linktr.ee/dani_98
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

Jamie Shea (April 25, 2024)

Jamie Shea & The Gentle Reminders tell it like it is and break it to you gently, reminding you of what truly matters before sending you home inspired. Their sound is dark and cool like when you're walking in the woods with the pedal steel shining through the pines to the rhythm of your footsteps.
We are all proud Hamiltonians.
Writing and performing as a solo act for many years, I wanted my songs to expand sonically to grow into what I knew they could be. It started with answering a FB post in a Hamilton Music Scene group posted by a pedal steel player looking for an opportunity to work on music with local artists. I sent him my music which he liked, we got together, played and decided to continue. After working together for a while I reached out to bass player, Jeese Visser because I wanted someone to join us who wasn't afraid to explore and move beyond traditional bass lines. We have worked with a few drummers. Local farmer and percussionist Russ Ohrt played most of the shows with us, but the demands of the land makes it too difficult for him to commit. I reached out to Dave Simpson who studied jazz with me at Mohawk and he joined recent showcase at Mills Hardware. He likes what we are doing as do we. He'll be helping us celebrate the release of our latest single "Late In The Night" at The Casbah Lounge.
Songs from Episode:
Come Down to the Water - Jamie Shea
Empty Feeling - Jamie Shea
Late in the Night - Jamie Shea & The Gentle Reminders
 
Follow and Listen to Jamie Shea & The Gentle Reminders:
https://www.instagram.com/sheamiej/
https://jamiesheamusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jamieandthereminders/
https://open.spotify.com/track/4n3GWaBDzparG3Gk69wFu3?si=oWCsbTvZQ8uj6oMW8OUpcA&nd=1&dlsi=94a63e4ca8ae431a
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss
 

DJ Donna Lovejoy (April 18, 2024)

With over 20 years of experience on the wheels of steel, DJ Donna Lovejoy has built a rock solid reputation in the Hamilton Music Scene, along with a pretty awesome vinyl and digital music collection.
First inspired by the DJs at the underground raves of her youth, Lovejoy learned the art of mixing and blending records to create soundscapes to suit just about any type of party. Her success lies in her thoughtful approach to each unique event and her ability to weave several genres together in a single evening: Hip Hop, Disco, Motown, Retro, R&B, Electronic, Soul, Rock... you never know what you'll hear but it'll be good. After studying Radio Broadcasting in the mid-00's, she hosted shows on Indie 101.5 (Mix Tape Sessions) and McMaster Radio 93.3 (Eclectic Avenue) which led to DJ opportunities at Hamilton clubs and bars , which led to requests to DJ private parties, weddings and corporate events. Clients include Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Toronto, Vintage Market Place, Royal Botanical Gardens, Made Inland, McMaster University and Art Gallery of Burlington and plenty of beautiful couples.
 
Songs from Episode:
Just Ain't Gonna Work Out - Mayer Hawthorne
Disco Very - Warpaint
Comfortably Numb - Scissor Sisters
Upside Down - Carol Cool
 
Follow and Listen to DJ Donna Lovejoy:
https://www.instagram.com/djdonnalovejoy/
https://linktr.ee/djdonnalovejoy
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

Gregory Childs & Heart Lung (April 11, 2024)

Pushing through the wooden doors of the Black Swan, peanut shells crush under your feet as you stare through the lamp-lit entryway and into the back room bar. A band on stage is strumming a tune that sounds strangely familiar yet you can’t quite put your finger on it. Taking a seat on the worn red couch, you listen closer. There’s a strat reaming through countryish Waylon-like guitar runs and bass that numbs the backbone. Drums are clear and classic and your foot starts tapping of its own accord along with the smash of a tambourine as the woman on stage bounces it against her thigh. The vocals are growly and the stories of the songs pull you back to that fall where you spent too much time on the road, too much time looking back. You check the lineup – Gregory Childs & Heart Lung. Some band out of Toronto, outlaw country spun up with grease, confusion and heart bleed. “What’ll you take?” the server asks. You nod over at the stage, the singer heaving side to side, eyes closed as he leans into the drummer, Casino lifted high. “Whatever they’re having.”
 
Songs from Episode:
Blood Ties - Gregory Childs & Heart Lung
Cold Night - Gregory Childs & Heart Lung
Lonesome - Gregory Childs & Heart Lung
Broken Veil - Gregory Childs & Heart Lung
 
Follow and Listen to Gregory Childs & Heart Lung:
https://www.instagram.com/gregorychilds.heartlung/
https://linktr.ee/heartlung
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

Kristen Prince (April 4, 2024)

Kristen Prince is a Port Credit based saxophone player and singer. She has performed with many artists including the Arkells, Canadian legend Andy Kim (Sugar Sugar), Lowest of the Low, Suzie McNeil, My Son the Hurricane, and 4-time Juno nominee Tom Barlow.
Kristen stays active in the music scene doing live performances,  writing and producing original music and videos, and doing session recordings. She is also working on some collaborative projects: Lion Blue:a duo with Canadian trumpeter Steve McDade (@wearelionblue), and an upcoming project with Hamilton rapper Ktriggs. Keep up with the latest news on Instagram at @kponsax. 
A Mohawk College Alumni, Kristen graduated from the Applied Music program with honours in 2015 where she played in the Tower of Power Ensemble led by Darcy Hepner. The ensemble opened for Robben Ford and Jimmie Vaughan at Mohawk’s McIntyre Theatre, and performed with former Tower of Power frontman Tommy Bowes. Currently, Kristen is studying with Grace Kelly and    Leo P in their online “Saxy School”.
 
Songs from Episode: 
Ships in the Night - Kristen Prince
Theme from Moonrise - Kristen Prince
Hamelia Patens - Tommy Ami ft. Kristen Prince
Three Penny Operator (live) - Ron Hawkins & the Rusty Nails (Airports of the World)
Dancing with the Dragon - KTriggs ft. Kristen Prince
 
Follow and Listen to Kristen Prince:
https://www.instagram.com/kponsax/
https://linktr.ee/kponsax
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss
 

Mickey Ellsworth (March 28, 2024)

Mickey grew up listening to records that were fast, loud, and tastefully different. Like the city of Hamilton itself, his approach tends to showcase the raw individuality of the bands he works with, often leaving their rough edges intact.
In 2014, he was brought into BTown Sound under Justin Koop (Silverstein, Grade, Walk Off The Earth) and has been fortunate to have worked on sessions with numerous Juno and Grammy-winning artists & producers like David Kahne (Sublime, Taking Back Sunday, Wilco) and Arnold Lanni (Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven, Simple Plan) among many others.
As the studio’s longtime assistant engineer - and the least important guy in the room - Mickey was able to quietly learn from a slew of top-tier engineers, and has since established connections with numerous Hamilton-area studios. Constantly refining his approach to making rock ‘n roll records, he loves helping good bands put out great releases.
Songs from Episode: 
Phantoms - Banned Together
Fantasy - Captain Wildchild
Melted Like a Witch - Beef Boys
The Coast - Pup
 
Follow Mickey Ellsworth:
https://www.instagram.com/theworstmickey/
https://www.mickeyellsworth.com/
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

From Janis to Alanis (March 21, 2024)

Bernadette Connors stops by to discuss her newest project "From Janis to Alanis"
...Because "Female Artist” is a genre. #FromJanistoAlanis is a live tribute band highlighting emerging Canadian female artists.
Songs from Episode:
Kosmic Blues - Janis Joplin
It's Too Late - Carole King
You Learn - Alanis Morissette
Blame Me - Bernadette Connors
 
Follow From Janis to Alanis and Bernadette Connors:
https://www.instagram.com/fromjanistoalanis/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0amdwmduZDnkuGlGb9bQIp
https://www.instagram.com/bernadetteconnors/
https://www.tiktok.com/@bernadetteconnors_
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss