Inside the Music with 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:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
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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:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
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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:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
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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:
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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:
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Champagne James Robertson (March 14, 2024)

Champagne James Robertson is a guitarist from Hamilton, Ontario. He is in C&C Surf Factory, a surf/garage Rock Instrumental band featuring Colin Cripps and Champagne James Robertson on electric guitar, as well as Moonriivr a musical duo integrating various soundscapes and textures.
Songs from Episode:
Takeshiesque - C&C Surf Factory
One Way Ticket - C&C Surf Factory
Perfect Landing - C&C Surf Factory
 
Follow and Listen to Champagne James:
https://www.instagram.com/champagnejamesrobertson/
https://open.spotify.com/album/15V2bghIKvfQrPxtuYTCAB?si=18b1bwfjSnufuWAg1KHrWQ&nd=1&dlsi=1607cc4046944b41
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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Aleef Mehdi (February 29, 2024)

Band leader of Nezqwik as a funk fusion band, formerly with horns and a vocalist, since then it has evolved into the current rhythm section quartet format for the past 5 years. Started out as a fully Hamilton band, and then expanded to include some members from Humber College's Music Program. Aleef is an artist relations representative for FBass
Songs from Episode:
Sant Esteve - Bill Laurance & Michael League
Color of Noize - Derrick Hodge
Treal - Robert Glasper
 
Follow and Listen to Aleef Mehdi:
https://www.instagram.com/leafy13_/
 
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Andrew Bentham-Riley RETURNS (February 22, 2024)

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, singer-songwriter and guitarist Andrew Bentham-Riley draws inspiration from a variety of genres, including Indie, Alternative Rock and Americana Roots. Currently splitting his time between Hamilton and the Niagara region, Andrew has been engaging local audiences with his latest musical pursuits, breaking away from his roots as a cover band artist, and releasing two original singles in 2022.
His lyrical style can be described as anecdotal - telling a narrative of his own life experiences in a soulful, passionate and expressive way. Through his involvement in the music community, Andrew continues to hone his skills as a songwriter and vocalist.
Songs from Episode:
Right Where We Are - Andrew Bentham-Riley
Lean - Andrew Bentham-Riley
Voyageur - Andrew Bentham-Riley
 
Follow and Listen to Andrew:
https://www.instagram.com/andrewbentriley/
https://hyperfollow.com/andrewbentriley
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

Cute (February 15, 2024)

Born out of the metallic, industrial backdrop of Hamilton, Ontario and inspired by records deemed unlistenable by peers, cute creates a sonic landscape that is at once crushing, immediate, and meditative.
Songs edited from episode:
Callous Social Status - Cute
z00z00z00 - Cute
 
Follow and Listen to Cute:
https://www.instagram.com/aw_thats_cute_a_band/
https://linktr.ee/areallycuteband
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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Emma Whale (Feburary 8, 2024)

Versatile producer, songwriter, and engineer, no matter the genre Emma Whale knows how to make a song stand out. In addition to writing and producing her own music, she has worked with DJs, indie rock bands, pop artists, and everything in between. Emma became a multi-instrumentalist at a young age, starting with vocals, then picking up piano and guitar not long afterwards.
In 2021, she earned her Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from Western University, and her Music Industry Arts diploma from Fanshawe College. Shortly after graduation, Emma started work as a producer and engineer at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, ON where she has worked since 2021. Emma has been performing throughout the GTA for years, including appearances at the Burlington Sound of Music Festival’s Club Series, Sneaky Dee’s, The Casbah, and the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Songs edited from episode:
Literally - Emma Whale
Mr. Blues - Emma Whale
Figure 8 - Paramore
Birthmark - Dizzy
 
Follow and Listen to Emma Whale:
https://www.instagram.com/emmawhale_music/
https://linktr.ee/EmmaWhale
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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