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