London, Ontario singer-songwriter Stephen Ingram returns with “Sour Candy,” the first single from his upcoming sophomore album, Silly Things, due September 25. Blending heartfelt storytelling with warm folk instrumentation, the track introduces an album rooted in self-discovery, personal growth, and the changing perspectives that come with adulthood.
Serving as the album’s emotional entry point, “Sour Candy” reflects on Ingram’s transition from his twenties into his thirties, capturing the realization that finding his authentic self meant letting go of the constant need to please others. Rather than viewing that transformation as a loss, the song celebrates it as a necessary step toward healthier relationships, deeper confidence, and a more meaningful life.
At its heart, “Sour Candy” also functions as a love letter to Ingram’s wife, illustrating how embracing his true identity has ultimately strengthened their relationship. Through clever, self-aware lyricism—including lines like “Used to be so sweet ’til I turned sour” and the playful refrain “Sour candy, taste it on me”—the song explores aging, anxiety, shifting priorities, and the freedom that comes from accepting imperfections.
That balance between vulnerability and optimism extends throughout Silly Things. Ingram began writing the album shortly after receiving an ADHD diagnosis, using the songwriting process to better understand how the condition has shaped both his daily life and his past experiences. Rather than focusing solely on its challenges, the record celebrates the creativity, momentum, and unique perspective ADHD has brought him, offering an honest yet hopeful portrait of self-acceptance.
Recorded entirely in London, Ontario, Silly Things expands on the storytelling foundations of Ingram’s 2023 debut, Fridge Magnet Symphony, while embracing richer folk textures and more expansive acoustic arrangements. The album features contributions from an accomplished group of local musicians, including cellist Anna Grigg, violinist and mandolin player Jesse Grandmont, guitarist Peter Karle, bassist Aidan Wasse, and percussionist Mark Swan.
Co-produced by Stephen Ingram and Dean Nelson, the album was mixed by Nelson and mastered by Kristian Montano, resulting in a warm, organic sound that allows each instrument and lyric to breathe naturally.
Originally from Hamilton, Ingram relocated to London more than a decade ago to study at Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music. While his professional career eventually led him into live theatre, that background continues to influence his songwriting, lending his music a strong narrative focus and a keen eye for character and emotional detail.
His storytelling has drawn comparisons to celebrated Canadian songwriters including Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, and Joel Plaskett, while the album’s numerous references to Southwestern Ontario give Silly Things a strong sense of place. Even so, its themes of identity, growth, and learning to embrace life’s imperfections resonate far beyond the region that inspired it.
With “Sour Candy” now available and Silly Things arriving this September, Stephen Ingram enters a compelling new chapter as both a songwriter and storyteller. As he brings the new material to audiences across Ontario throughout the summer ahead of a hometown album release show in London, the record promises to be his most personal, reflective, and fully realized work to date.
Stephen Ingram: Spotify I YouTube I Website I Bandcamp I Facebook I Instagram