Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stereo Ontario. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stereo Ontario, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project for the band has been playing live. We are a live band. Stereo Ontario has 4 studio albums out as of right now but the studio albums are like a photo graph of what the live shows are. It takes a lot on the band putting on the live shows from booking, travel expenses, and just driving to the venue. On a good night though the bands chemistry clicks and the band is soaring to new destinations that we never even knew that songs could go. At the end of a show, connecting with the audience after you helped them dance and rock out is one of the most rewarding experiences anyone can have. Even though live shows are constantly happening and going by they are the what brings meaning to the group.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Stereo Ontario is a psychedelic rock band based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Formed in 2018 the band has released 4 studio albums, 1 live album, 2 EP’s, and 1 Single. To Support these releases Stereo Ontario tours the country hitting States such as Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Texas. In 2023 Stereo Ontario began receiving Radio airplay from KCOS in Colorado and KUNM out of New Mexico. Stereo Ontario is currently following the 70’s business model for touring with release an album about every year spending the following year touring the music, and writing the next album. During this touring cycle of playing live shows, Stereo Ontario will also sell merchandise with the bands logo on it. Currently in our inventory we have wooden and clay key chains, stickers, hats, and t-shirts. There are many bands in the psych rock scene currently;especially in Colorado. What makes Stereo Ontario different is that we jam. On any given night we have no idea what songs are gonna be played or how they are gonna be played. Every night is a constant surprise for the band and audience for what is gonna happen. No guitar solo is planned out. No jam is agreed to be played. Most nights there is no set list. We go on stage and play what is hopefully a truly inspired set.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Stereo Ontario has been faced with many walls and hurdels it has had to over come. 2020 was suppose to be the first real ear for the band out on the road in support of our album Caravan. That didnt happen. We had a whole spring lind up for dates up along the front range of Colorado. In March of 2020 days before the run was suppose to start, the world shut down from covid. This meant no playing live.

Playing live is what this band lives for.

We could have given up and called itquits but we took the times to write and record new music and get ready for 2021. Once the world started opening back up at the end of 2021 we lost our drummer and had to find a new drummer. Ethan, who played drums from 2018 – 2021, was a crucial member of the band and it seemed almost impossible to mmove on with out him. In the years following his departure the band has gained its biggest audience yet.

Finally just recently in February of 2023, our drummers cymbals were stolen. This was a terrible situation to be in and it was super disheartening to know that you put in all this work to make a show happen and someone just wanted to rob you.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think a lot of people think that because we play music for money that we are lazy. To be honest I have never had a harder job then managing a band. There is a song by AC/DC called “It’s a Long Way To the Top If You Want To Rock And Roll..” The song describes the life we live..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stereoontario.bandcamp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stereoontario/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StereoOntario
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stereoontario
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/08ZGWZxI9AtYrH7aKV0ABq

Image Credits
Image 1 was taken by Briana Maunton