Finding Your Own Sound with Jack Stearns-Ley

Jack Stearns-Ley is a Hamilton based singer songwriter exploring the space between lo-fi intimacy and expansive, collaborative sound. Centred around piano but shaped by a rotating cast of musicians, Jack’s music blends singer songwriter roots with jazz, ambient textures, and a sense of organized spontaneity. His latest project, Dottie’s Sketchbook, is as much about process as it is about the songs themselves. The album was Recorded in just two days using borrowed gear, voice memo room mics, and a trust in the people around him. In this conversation, Jack dives into building a sound through friendship, moving between punk bands and solo work, and letting go of perfection in favour of honesty. We talk about recording off the floor, embracing imperfection, and why sometimes the best takes happen when you don’t fully know what you’re doing. We also get into the Hamilton music scene, all ages venues, DIY recording, and what it means to make something that feels human in an increasingly polished world. Connect with Jack Stearns-Ley https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lphjL8oxr4InlpMRJUIXL https://www.instagram.com/jackiesmusic3008/ https://www.instagram.com/smittheband/ Recorded at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, Ontario https://www.catherinenorth.com/ https://www.instagram.com/catherinenorthstudios/ Edited by Mike Monson and Monco Film + Sound http://moncofilmandsound.com/ https://www.instagram.com/moncofilmandsound/ Produced by StereoRuss and StereoRuss Media https://www.instagram.com/StereoRuss https://www.TikTok.com/@StereoRuss Become an Inside the Music Insider https://www.stereoruss.com Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with artists, producers, and creatives.