Gritty History

In this episode Meredith and Russ dive deep into Hamilton's music scene with Ben Rispin, a veteran in Canadian music and media. Ben shares his journey from discovering punk rock, to founding Rispin Productions and working with companies like Sony and Dine Alone Records. He discusses his early days as a concert promoter and the DIY ethos that shaped his career. Ben also reflects on the importance of community, the impact of the pandemic on live music, and the continuous evolution of the music industry. Insights into iconic local bands, festival stories, and Hamilton's far reaching influence in music history underscore this engaging conversation.

In this episode Meredith and Russ are joined by Lisa La Rocca, Director of Operations at Sonic Unyon Records to chat all things labels and music event management. Lisa discusses her role in organizing major festivals like SuperCrawl, her experiences growing up around music, and the various responsibilities within a record label and management company. She also shares insights into the Hamilton music community, offers career advice for aspiring music industry professionals, and celebrates the collaborative efforts that make Hamilton's music scene thrive.

In this episode of Gritty History hosts and exhibit curators Meredith Leonard and Russ "StereoRuss" Piva, discuss the creation of the 'Punching In' exhibit, which celebrates Hamilton's rich musical heritage through collaborations with local musicians, studios, and venues. The conversation covers the genesis of the exhibit, the community's role in shaping it, and the unique challenges of exhibition design. The episode also features our first Hamilton Music Quiz!