Stephen Ingram is a Hamilton-born singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who fuses his love of great Canadian artists, his decade-long career in live theatre, and his training as a classical pianist and music theorist to create story-driven, intricate folk-rock music that is unmistakably and fondly set in Ontario. His debut album “Fridge Magnet Symphony,” released in 2023, ran the gamut from high-energy pop-rock to orchestral folk to R&B to country rock, and was lauded by the Hamilton Spectator and played on CBC Radio. His second album “Silly Things,” set for release in September 2026, strips back the production and leans heavily into lyrical folk and hard-hitting, confessional folk rock. This upcoming album has been generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council and the London Arts Council, and centres around the coming of age from 20s-30s through the lens of his recent ADHD diagnosis, set to the distinct backdrop of Ontario, Canada. His recently released single “Sour Candy” was written shortly before he turned 30 and reflects on everything he learned in his 20s, the most important lesson being that people-pleasing only gets you so far before you lose yourself.
Name:
Stephen Ingram
Genre:
Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Founded:
2023
# of Albums:
1
Latest Album:
Fridge Magnet Symphony
Latest Single:
Sour Candy
Latest Video:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZLD5sSzfA-/
Favourite musician growing up:
Weirdly, I didn’t listen to a ton of music until I got to high school. In grade 8, it was Weird Al who started my musical journey. A lyrical genius, that guy.
Favourite musician now:
Joni Mitchell. My mom listened to a lot of her music when I was a kid, and it wasn’t until I was a little older that I appreciated the unconventional beauty of it.
Guilty pleasure song:
Any Man of Mine – Shania Twain
Live show ritual:
I force myself to have a meal in the hour or so before a show. Often I’m not hungry before a show because I’m nervous/excited, but you never want to do a show on an empty stomach.
Favourite local musician:
Hard to pick just one, but I’d probably go with PUP. Love the honesty and candour in Stefan’s lyrics, and their energy live is incredible.
EP or LP?
LP all the way. Coming from the world of musical theatre, I’m all about narrative/through-line. An LP gives more time for a story to develop and for the artist to show off some variety.
Early bird or night owl?
Honestly depends on the day. On a show day, I tend to be a night owl because it’s hard to shake the adrenaline for a few hours, but on a normal day I love to get up before the rest of the world’s awake. Gives me the illusion that I’m ahead of schedule.
Road or studio?
This might sound rich coming from an artist who has barely toured, but I’d say road. When I’m in the studio, I become the “let’s do one more take” guy because I can be a bit of a perfectionist, and I’m not like that at all in a live setting. Through the last decade of my career in live theatre, I’ve become very comfortable onstage in front of people, and it’s where I feel I make my best music.
Where can we follow you?
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Bellwoods. Big fan of their beer and their food.
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Augusta. Big fan of Kensington.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
High Park.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
The Opera House
What is your favourite music store in your city?
RIP Steve’s!!
