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Recording artist Stuart Ross's latest project - SinkingFeeling

The former St. Albert resident now living in Vancouver dedicates the new project to his late father Douglas Ross

Scour the Internet and you will find an amazing number of recording artists who write songs about their fathers. Beyoncé’s Daddy Lessons, Keith Urban’s Song for Dad, Miley Cyrus' I Learned from You, and Eric Clapton’s My Father’s Eyes are only a small handful. 

Stuart Ross, the grandson of now-deceased St. Albert Mayor Neil M. Ross, released an emotional four-song project dedicated to his father, Douglas Ross. The four songs express what Stuart felt after his father’s passing, whether they are exact recollections or a sharing of grief. 

The youngest Ross, a musician who spent the past 20 plus years touring with Misery Signals and Comeback Kid, is highly influential in the metal and hardcore scenes. The four-song project honouring Douglas is titled SinkingFeeling. 

A larger-than-life figure, Douglas Ross passed away during COVID in Oct. 2021 after a short battle with lung cancer. At the time of his death, Douglas was a retired branch manager of Aon Reed Stenhouse’s insurance agency, western Canada division. 

“In that world he was very well liked and successful and considered a man of great integrity,” said Stuart, a graduate of St. Albert High School. 

On a personal level, Stuart is humble enough to point out that as a child he didn’t understand the many things his father accomplished for the community. 

“But he was very understanding and when at 18 I said I wanted to go on tour, he was very supportive of my music,” Stuart said. He is currently based in Vancouver.  

In processing his grief Stuart said, “It was apparent how much he loved his family. He was always there for us. He was always generous. He would not let anyone go empty-handed. He was a loving man, and to be raised by a father like that – he was one of my best friends.” 

Part of Stuart’s grief is tied with the COVID lockdown when travel was discouraged.  

“For the better part of two years, I was advised not to travel. We were in contact daily via text. But when he got sick, I came to St. Albert. It was very upsetting to see his situation. When I arrived, he was at the Sturgeon Hospital, and it was shocking to see him in this condition.” 

The first song on the project is titled Portrait, a memory of Douglas staring at a pastoral painting on the hospital wall. Slipping into a state of confusion, he remembers the Sturgeon River as a child. 

In Now I’m Lost in the Dark is a series of emotions flooding Stuart as he attends to his father. 

“I stand there and feel helpless and out of control although I have the support of family working together for my father. I have so many questions I want to ask him, and I feel helpless and uncertain.” 

Instead, All That’s Left is Stuart acknowledging the legacy Douglas left him. 

“I’m trying to be the best person I can be with the tools he’s given me and the morals and values he instilled in me.” 

And the final song is titled Choke, a broad message to live in the moment and share experiences with the ones you love. 

“As much as I wanted to believe my dad would live forever, he’s just a person. It’s a reminder to be in the moment and learn those hard lessons.” 

Originally Stuart wrote the lyrics and composed the music to express his private emotions. When a friend heard the music, he encouraged the singer-songwriter to share the songs. The songs can be streamed on Spotify. A vinyl edition limited to 275 copies is also available at merchnow.com. 

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