2 minute read
At Main Stage Rehearsal Studios, we’re proud to be more than just a place for bands to rehearse. Every day, musicians from Hamilton and beyond walk through our doors to write songs, prepare for shows, record ideas, and connect with other artists. Behind the rehearsal rooms and events is a team of musicians and music lovers who help make Main Stage the welcoming creative hub it has become.
This month, we’re introducing three members of the Main Stage team. Whether they’re helping artists dial in their sound, organizing events, maintaining equipment, or sharing music recommendations between sessions, each brings their own experience, personality, and passion for supporting Hamilton’s music community. Get to know Brett, Charles, and James a little better.
Meet Brett
Brett has been part of the Main Stage Rehearsal Studios team for the past three years, helping artists sound their best as a Studio Associate specializing in live sound, recording, mixing, and social media content creation.
A guitarist first and foremost, Brett also plays a bit of keys, drums, and ukulele, and enjoys trying his hand at just about any instrument he comes across. Guitar was the first instrument he ever learned, and today he plays with Spookyguava while also working behind the scenes recording and mixing projects for local artists and bands.
Musically, Brett’s tastes cover a lot of ground. While indie rock is his favourite genre, his current rotation includes artists like Noah Kahan, Quadeca, Daniel Caesar, Twenty One Pilots, My Chemical Romance, Kevin Abstract, Death Cab for Cutie, Metric, and Arcade Fire. His favourite artist is always changing, but Pinegrove currently holds the top spot.
Closer to home, he’s a big fan of Bears, the Hamilton instrumental math-rock band that rehearses at Main Stage. If he could only listen to one album forever, he’d choose Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves, while Olivia Dean’s “A Couple Minutes” has been his most-played song lately.
Outside the studio, Brett enjoys rock climbing, parkour, and recently played his first baseball game. What he loves most about Main Stage is the community—the talented, supportive people who make the studio feel like more than just a rehearsal space. Whether it’s regular clients stopping by for a chat or musicians cheering each other on at open mics, Brett says the people are what make Main Stage special. Throughout the weekend, countless visitors stopped us during the tours to share memories of the building’s past life as Robert’s Restaurant and Festival Banquet Centre.
Meet Charles
Charles has been part of the Main Stage team for a year as a staff member and event organizer, helping shape the energy behind the scenes and supporting the events that bring Hamilton’s music community together.
Musically, Charles is a drummer, though he originally started on guitar before switching after a neighbour lent him his first drum kit. Since then, he has had the opportunity to travel across Canada and parts of the United States performing with the Hamilton/Montreal band Loversteeth.
His listening habits cover a wide range, mostly hardcore and metalcore, but with a love for shoegaze, indie, country, and rap as well. Current favourites include Norma Jean, Every Time I Die, Deftones, Bilmuri, Dead and Divine, My Chemical Romance, Converge, Harm’s Way, Spite, Notorious B.I.G., A Textbook Tragedy, Slowdive, and Action Bronson.
Locally, he’s been listening to The Good Depression, Ivy Gardens, Absorb, and many more. Albums and tracks on repeat include The Olympians by The Olympians, “Only Endless” by Boundaries, and “The Beekeeper” by Grandmother. When it’s time to get hyped up, Charles turns to classics like Darude’s “Sandstorm” or Selecta J-Man & MC Spyda’s “Foundation Style.”
His favourite concert of all time was seeing The Dillinger Escape Plan on their final Canadian tour. If Main Stage ever needed a mascot, he’d nominate Gigabyte the robot dog without hesitation. He can’t live without a drum kit and a computer, prefers vintage gear for its warmth and character, and spends his free time gardening or hanging out with his dog. You can also often find him grabbing a slice from Garth Pizza.
What Charles enjoys most about Main Stage is the community and the opportunity to watch musicians grow in confidence and skill. Seeing artists develop over time is one of the most rewarding parts of being part of the team.
Meet James
James has been part of the Main Stage Rehearsal Studios team for just over three years and has become a familiar face to many of the musicians who pass through our doors. Along with helping around the studio, he specializes in drum maintenance and is always happy to talk about drums, metal, and the local music scene.
James started his musical journey behind the drum kit, the first instrument he ever learned, and he’s never looked back. He is also a big supporter of the local scene, naming Loversteeth, Absorb, and The Good Depression among his favourite local bands. If he could only listen to one album forever, he’d choose Iowa by Slipknot without hesitation.
Outside the studio, James enjoys playing Magic: The Gathering, revisiting favourites like The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars and going to his favourite local food spots such as HamBRGR, Shorty’s, The Hearty Hooligan, and Doors Pub for tacos.
When it comes to gear, he swears by his Young Classics Drum Company steel snare and believes acoustic drums will always beat a digital setup. What James appreciates most about Main Stage is the sense of community. As he puts it, “Main Stage is the music hub of the city—a place where musicians and artists from every genre come together to rehearse, connect, and create.”
More Than Just a Rehearsal Studio
One of the things that makes Main Stage Rehearsal Studios unique is that the people helping run the studio are musicians themselves. They understand what it’s like to prepare for a show, write new material, spend hours in rehearsal, and build a career in music.
Whether you’re looking for a rehearsal space in Hamilton, a place to connect with other artists, or somewhere to bring your next creative project to life, Main Stage is proud to support musicians at every stage of their journey. The next time you’re in the studio, don’t be afraid to say hello—you might discover a new favourite band, get a music recommendation, or hear a great story from one of the people who help make Main Stage feel like home.