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ENJAMIN RUSSELL - BIO (2025) Benjamin Russell is a cross-genre singer-songwriter, producer, videographer, painter, writer, poet, photographer and graphic artist (he designs all his own album covers). Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a prairie province in western Canada, he now lives in Montreal with Elyce, his partner in life and art. Nominated, "Most Promising Male Vocalist", in the 80s for his hit single, "Miracle (Miracle of Love)", he has released many albums, singles and videos and has shown his paintings in exhibitions. His newest album, WAVES, releasing in 2025 is his 20th. His songs are wide-ranging in style and hard to pin down, combining electronic and acoustic instruments and production. He comes from an era when it was normal for artists to go where their creativity led them, so he offers no excuse. He may not be as famous as some of his influences, but he believes he deserves the creative latitude allowed The Clash, Bob Dylan, Sparks, David Bowie and The Beatles. He is an artist. He creates. It's as essential as breathing for him. He can't help it. He even creates in his dreams, often waking up with a song or a painting completely planned out. Best known for music, he has recorded 20 albums including WAVES, releasing February 2025. HISTORY Music has always been a lifeline for Benjamin Russell and Elyce. To give back, they volunteered to set up and run a music club for kids in Montreal’s inner city in the 80s. They lugged guitars, synths and drum machines on the bus (they were too poor to own a car), to share their love of music. They took the kids into a professional studio when they recorded the COOL KIDS album which came out in 1982 on Attic Records in Canada. The cover picture was drawn by one of the kids, a 12 year old. His first vinyl release was the Double A Side, BROKEN-HEARTED LOVERS backed with WHO SHOT JOHN LENNON?, released in 1981. This continues to sell and is a collectors item now. His hit song from the 80s, MIRACLE, from his POP MODERN(e) album, was on RCA in Canada. It has since had 3 more versions including the John Roland Penner Mix which went to #1 on Artefaktor Radio. That's how he met Rob Stuart who reached out asking if he could do a remix after hearing John's. In music, he has been mostly a one man band. He performed live in the 80s alone on stage with his guitar and banks of synths, sequencers and drum machines at places like The Rivoli in Toronto and Club Soda in Montreal. He says it wasn't as much fun though, as playing in his punk bands or his band with Peter Marunzak, the drummer from Luba. He has collaborated with some cool people including Kat Dyson, Prince's guitar player, who recorded one of his songs, PRINCIPAL OF EMOTION, with her band, Tchukon. She invited him to help with the recording and stay at Le Studio in Morin Heights where Bowie, Celine Dion, The Police, Rush and other big names recorded. During pre-production for his follow up album in Toronto with producer, Jim Burgess, who did the synths on Lady In Red, Stevie Wonder dropped by the studio and Russell got to hang out with him. He says, "It was pretty cool to watch him weaving his head around, grooving and eating from his huge bag of candy!" RENAISSANCE Having taken a hiatus to focus on painting and deal with health issues, Benjamin Russell and Elyce, returned to the music scene at the end of 2019 with the release of their "rock opera" album, SHIKASTA SUITE. Since then, there has been a growing crescendo of recognition for their projects, including their award-winning albums, FRONTIER (2023) and PLEASURE CENTER (2024). Meanwhile there have been collaborations with producer, Rob Stuart, on SOMETHING IN F MINOR (album) and BRIGHTER LIGHT (EP), and others including Greg Fraser, an EP, GHOST PARTICLES (Messages From Rude Van Steenes). All award-winning. The new album, WAVES, looks to expand his reach even further as Benjamin Russell rides the waves of praise for his most recent recordings.
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