Inside the Music with StereoRuss

Boxcar Ben and Leo Dragtoe RETURN (December 21, 2023)

Boxcar Ben and Leo Dragtoe are a rock and folk duo hailing from Hamilton, Ontario with dynamic elements of classic rock, heavy blues, and soulful folk influences.
Songs edited from episode:
Open Heart Surgery - Leo Dragtoe ft. Boxcar Ben
It Aint Hard - The Tisdale
 
Follow and Listen to Boxcar Ben:
https://www.instagram.com/boxcar_ben/
https://linktr.ee/Boxcarben
 
Follow and Listen to Leo Dragtoe:
https://www.instagram.com/leodragtoe/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/76H2QFkax3SeBJSEjW56Y9?si=TuvaEwiDQa6EO6Ics2gfEw&nd=1&dlsi=5048f115f57e40cf
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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Lost Faculty (December 14, 2023)

Lost Faculty is: Matt (Vocals/Guitar), Brendan (Guitar), Justin (Bass), Nigel (Drums)
Formed in January/March 2023 (inception date up for debate), Lost Faculty came to be after Matt booked a gig at the Horseshoe after recording our lead singles and had to throw a group together to perform. All Hamilton based, recorded all of our tracks so far here with Mike Keire at Threshold Studios. The band has seen incredible growth and excitement in their first year and are looking forward to sustaining it through to next year.
 
Songs edited from episode:
Any Other Name - Lost Faculty
Bucket List - Lost Faculty
Demo 5 - Lost Faculty
My Mistakes Were Made For You - Last Shadow Puppets
Moonage Daydream - David Bowie
 
Follow and Listen to Lost Faculty:
https://www.instagram.com/lostfaculty/
https://bio.site/lostfaculty
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

Mattie Leon (December 7, 2023)

Mattie Leon is a singer/songwriter hailing from Hamilton. A craftsman on guitar and piano, Mattie refuses to leave the past behind. His sensibilities are informed by the songwriting of the sixties and seventies. His voice, whether soaring or soulful, is his own. The result is a fresh take on a classic form; familiar but unmistakably new.
Songs edited from episode:
Acoustic Guitars - Mattie Leon
Father's Wedding Speech - Mattie Leon
Christmas Isn't Christmas Without You - Mattie Leon
Feels Like We Only Go Backwards - Tame Impala
 
Follow and Listen to Mattie Leon:
https://www.instagram.com/mattieleonmusic/
https://www.mattieleon.com/
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
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Daniel Walton (November 30, 2023)

Daniel Walton is a guitarist / songwriter from Hamilton Ontario with roots in progressive rock, jazz, and folk music. These influences have inspired a genre bending repertoire of original music that Walton performs with his group The Dreamland Band.
Songs edited from episode:
Garden Head - Daniel Walton
Through the Glass - Daniel Walton
Coming Back to Life - Pink Floyd
Subdivisions - Rush
 
Follow and Listen to Daniel Walton:
https://www.instagram.com/danielwalton.music/
https://open.spotify.com/track/2ETZ4l2VsCmoPaNEyeppmY
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

Fake Shape (November 23, 2023)

Fake Shape is an eclectic, experimental, indie band from Hamilton, Ontario. They consist of Chester Edington (guitar and vocals), David Baldry (keyboard, synthesizer and flugelhorn), Olivia Brown (bass and vocals), and Mackenzie Read (drums). They settle in between a melange of eclectic influences—a little indie rock, some solid jazz flow, and even the odd twang in the vocals. Edington prioritizes that working together is key, saying that “through actively practicing collaboration we are able to write better music.” Edington describes the process with a delightful frankness: “I write a decent chunk of a song, then slowly lose interest and am unable to finish it. David comes in, mixes up the batter and gets me excited about the song again. Sometimes David writes an entirely new section, and we put that in the song”. Together Chester and David hone in on the ideas and fill it out more with some editing and arranging. This arranging and editing leaves space open for Brown and Reid, who add their own ideas, and their own skills to the work in question. The editing here is key to the process, with the expansive, organic building up refocused into taut pop songs. The resulting music works together as a whole, not one voice or instrument on the surface, but in juicy layers of well mixed and deeply felt meaningful music.
 
Songs edited from episode:
Black Bear - Fake Shape
Downhill - Fake Shape
Jigsaws Falling Into Place - Radiohead
August 10 - Khruangbin
 
Follow and Listen to Fake Shape:
https://www.instagram.com/fakeshapemusic/
https://linktr.ee/fakeshapemusic
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
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Cam Wilson (November 16)

Cam Wilson, From the city of Hamilton, Ontario, emerges as a captivating artist whose musical journey is defined by his own personal trauma and struggles. With two compelling albums and over five singles to his name, creating a unique and emotive experience for his listeners. All of which have very special meanings to Cam. Beyond the melodies, Cam stands as a dedicated mental health advocate, using his platform to spark conversations and foster a sense of community around well-being.
 
Songs edited from episode:
Things Happen For A Reason - Cam Wilson
Home 2.0 - Cam Wilson
Looking for Love - Cam Wilson
Perfect Saturday Night for Her - Cam Wilson
Smokey Mountain Rain - Ronnie Milsap
 
Follow and Listen to Cam Wilson:
https://www.instagram.com/camwilsonmusic/
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/camwilson/cam-wilson-3/
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
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Mike Bruce of Grant Avenue Studio (November 9, 2023)

Mike is co-owner of legendary Grant Avenue Studio, located downtown Hamilton. Notable recording artists include, U2, Tool, and Tom Cochrane.
 
Follow Mike Bruce and Grant Avenue Studio:
https://www.instagram.com/xmikebruce/
https://www.instagram.com/grantavenuestudio/
 
Follow Inside the Music:
https://www.instagram.com/stereoruss/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
https://www.youtube.com/@stereoruss

MYRA (November 2, 2023)

Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, MYRA is a soulful singer-songwriter whose mesmerizing melodies and heartfelt lyrics have captivated the Greater Toronto Area. Drawing inspiration from Motown greats and earning comparisons to Lauryn Hill and Colbie Caillat, MYRA weaves a tapestry of raw emotions and unforgettable melodies. As a Mohawk College Vocal Performance student, she cultivates a fusion of the indulgent genres of RnB, Neo-Soul, and Pop with her world-class music knowledge.
 
Songs edited from episode:
When I'm Lonely - MYRA
Remember the Time - Michael Jackson
One Last Cry - Brian McKnight
Green Eyes - Erykah Badu
 
Follow and Listen to MYRA:
https://www.instagram.com/myraxmusic/
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
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Sabian (October 19, 2023)

Born in Miami, raised musically by his dad, Sabian was exposed to many genres. Learning music at a young age, he has been influenced heavily by modern jazz/r&b/soul/hip hop. With love and gratitude, his live performances are not to be missed.
Songs edited from episode:
Colours in the dark - R+R=Now
Black Classical music - Yussef Dayes
How Deep is your love - PJ Morton
Window Seat - Erykah Badu
Black Qualls - Thundercat
 
Follow and Listen to Sabian: 
https://www.instagram.com/sabiangrooves/
 
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Ariana Fig (October 12, 2023)

Ariana Fig, a gifted and passionate musician whose love affair with music began at the tender age of three. From her early days as a violinist in string ensembles and the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, to gracing the stages of musical theatre productions, Fig's musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
During her high school years, Fig's creative spirit led her to explore the art of songwriting, and since then, there has been no looking back. Her journey has consisted of honest and heartfelt compositions and has become a powerful reflection of her evolving identity, capturing the essence of her ever-changing perspectives. Drawing inspiration from the timeless sounds of 70’s classic bands like the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac, Fig infuses her music with a sense of nostalgia that harkens back to the early 2000’s rock and pop scene. The result is an impressive fusion that transports listeners to a world she embraces with boundless thoughtfulness.
As both a musician and an artist, Ariana Fig continues to grow and evolve, continually pushing the boundaries of her creative prowess. With each new composition, she invites her audience on a profound journey of self-discovery and emotional connection. Embodying the past and present, Ariana Fig stands as a vessel, channeling the essence of the world she adores so deeply into her music. Her passion, talent, and unwavering commitment to her craft are a testament to the bright future that lies ahead for this remarkable artist.
Songs edited from episode:
Cherry Coke - Ariana Fig
Running Man - Ariana Fig
Maroon - Ariana Fig
Guilty Pleasure - Ariana Fig
All I Really Want - Alanis Morissette
 
Follow and Listen to Ariana Fig:
https://www.instagram.com/arianafig_/
https://www.arianafig.ca/
 
Follow Inside the Music:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@stereoruss
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