OUR STORY

THE ROAD BEHIND THE MUSIC.

Akka Road was built from the journey — shaped by struggle, inspired by purpose, and carried forward through music, community and the road we share.

FROM STRUGGLE TO LIGHT AKKA ROAD

Founder • Songwriter • Musician • Producer

Benjamin Russell

For Benjamin Russell, music has never simply been about entertainment. It has been a place of connection, expression, healing and belonging.

His relationship with music began at an early age and remained a constant through very different chapters of his life. Those experiences shaped his belief that music can reach people beyond background, circumstance, culture or belief — and that when it comes from an honest place, it can genuinely bring people together.

As a songwriter, musician, producer and founder, Benjamin focuses on creating music with substance and building an environment where artists can develop their own voice.

At the centre of his work is a simple idea: choose light.

Akka Road represents a road forward — from struggle toward purpose, from isolation toward community, and from simply making music toward creating something that can have a positive impact on the people who hear it.

Artist • Musician • Producer

Travis Birch

Travis Birch writes, plays and produces the music behind Akka Road, working from piano and guitar outward into songs intended to help uplift, unite and open up what feels possible.

Akka Road starts from the belief that music can reach across whatever separates us and remind us that we’re all on a path of transformation.

Every song is written as a work song — not simply something to listen to and be entertained by, but something to build with: music that stirs the imagination, fuels inspiration and helps propel us toward a better world, together.

Drummer • Touring Musician

Jeremy Kleynhans

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Jeremy Kleynhans moved to Toronto and built a career around live performance, touring and collaboration across a wide range of musical genres.

His enthusiasm, relentless work ethic, team-first attitude and ability to quickly adapt to different musical environments have made him a highly sought-after drummer.

A Humber Music program alumnus, Jeremy developed his career through extensive touring and performance work, combining technical precision with the flexibility and musical instinct required to support artists in both live and studio settings.

Guitarist • Multi-Instrumentalist

Aaron Lycett

Aaron Lycett is a dedicated guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with decades of experience and a versatile style rooted in rock, blues and contemporary music.

After years as a semi-professional musician leading and performing with original bands throughout the Toronto music scene, Aaron shared stages with respected artists, including opening for Blue Rodeo, and performed at venues including The Viper Room in Los Angeles.

Today, he focuses primarily on session work, bringing professionalism, versatility and a collaborative approach to every project — always aiming to serve the song first.

Mixing Engineer • Live Bassist

Simon Austin

Simon Austin is a Toronto-based songwriter, producer and mixing engineer whose work spans indie rock, pop punk and alternative music.

Since beginning his career as a songwriter and recording artist, Simon has spent more than a decade developing his approach to production, songwriting and audio engineering around one simple principle: the song comes first.

His credited work has accumulated nearly eight million streams and has reached radio audiences across Canada and Australia. With Akka Road, Simon brings that same musical instinct and technical experience to the project as its mixing engineer and live bassist.