Magnetic North

Magnetic North bring you a new rock and roll adventure. They share voices of an intuitive experience of energetic rock music, personal views of the rock classics and current musical inspiration.

Their original self-titled EP echoed influences of new wave, funk, alternative rock and blues! Writing music while not being defined by a particular genre is a massive part of the experience which they bring to their audience.

Originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The guys love to share their energy and emotion with audiences in Atlantic Canada. Recently promoting their new Acoustic EP, Digital Illusions, so ladies and gentlemen hit the road on a rock and roll journey with “ Beauty & Love,” “Digital Illusions,” and “ Want Out.”

Ben Raftus

Ben Raftus is a guitarist, and singer/songwriter originating from Halifax Nova Scotia. His blues-infused style harkens back to the roots of rock, inspired by such greats as Elmore James, B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Hinged upon the universal themes of love, sorrow, and women, his lyrics are intelligent, provocative and honest. With his dirty blues guitar riffs and his unaffected performance style, he cuts to the heart of the listener. Ben Raftus always had an interest in the guitar, even as a child. Ben was weaned on pop, folk, hard rock, and blues based rock music from the 1960s onward; and grew up idolizing such musicians as Steve Earle, Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Aerosmith. He received his first electric guitar in 2002 and took to it naturally. Self-taught, Ben would play for hours daily, knowing there is always more to learn; a philosophy to which he still adheres. He spent time delving deep into the blues, gaining immense appreciation for great musicians of the past as well as inspiration from artists of our time. It was not long after picking up the guitar that Ben began to write his own music. Although he always prided himself as a guitarist, Ben knew he had to do more if he wanted a career in music. In late 2007 Ben began focusing on writing lyrics, shaping himself into a singer/songwriter. Though he primarily considers himself to be a guitarist, he is equally confident in his song writing, and takes both arts very seriously. Ben attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, completing a Bachelor of Arts program majoring in Sociology and Social Anthropology with a minor in English. But it was his passion for music that led him to move to Toronto in the summer of 2009 to start his career. Ben dove headfirst into the Toronto scene and was adamant about performing out as often as possible. In 2011, Ben completed work on a demo CD and returned to Nova Scotia ready to let loose his deep rooted blues soul and rock n roll heart to conquer the Haliax music scene. 2013 saw Ben qualifying in the 2013 Maritime to Memphis blues competition and performing along side some of Nova Scotia's great blues influenced talent.