Coquitlam Alt-Rocker Tim Steinruck Confronts His Past Self in Soulful New Single “Letting You Go” Featuring Sarah Smith
There often comes a time in a relationship when you realize that what used to sustain you no longer works for you and that you need to move on. But what if the relationship is with yourself?
On his new single, “Letting You Go,” Coquitlam B.C. alt-rocker Tim Steinruck confronts the man he used to be and hands him a breakup letter that’s as eloquent in its execution as its message is heartfelt.
Comparing his former self to a “darkness” and a “virus,” Steinruck takes a hard look in the mirror and announces that he’s cutting ties. “I want you to know/ I see who you are /And I’m letting go,” he declares. “I don’t need you now.”
Musically, the song has everything it takes to make that kiss-off land with all the force it deserves. It’s an instantly indelible latter-day muscle ballad, with a hint of country to widen its appeal. Joining Steinruck on the second verse is fellow BC singer-songwriter Sarah Smith, who in the accompanying music video literally meets him at a crossroads to lend her vocal and moral support.
Arriving at that crossroads is the culmination of a five-decade journey for Steinruck, who’s finally been able to divest himself of the self-flagellation he learned from his harsh Mennonite upbringing. The casualties of that mindset were copious: a failed marriage, dead-end forays into the film and cleaning businesses, and an ill-fated management and recording deal with Paul Stanley of KISS (one of Steinruck’s childhood idols) were among the casualties before he finally learned to get out of his own way.
The catalyst was a transformative life-coaching session on New Year’s Eve 2020, which showed Steinruck how deeply rooted his self-defeating tendencies were, and how he could live a different life free of shame and ego. So it’s only appropriate that he now works in the self-empowerment field himself, as an Accelerated Evolution (TM) Success Coach who helps lead others on journeys of personal emancipation like the one he’s traveled.
At the same time, his creative life continues to flourish. Triumphs like “Letting You Go” exemplify his success as both a solo artist (where he’s billed simply as Steinruck) and the leader of the project The Mighty One, which he calls a cross between a band and an alter ego. Both undertakings allow him to express a new kind of spirituality, one more nurturing and forward-facing than the shame-based theology he was raised with that took so long to shake off.
But the fruits of his self-improvement don’t stop there. Today, Steinruck runs a record company, a reality TV show, and an independent multimedia network. He’s the proprietor of Begin Street Studios in Coquitlam, which provides recording, mixing, mastering, and production facilities for musicians and others who are looking to polish their presentation. Clients can also avail themselves of his songwriting smarts. Double up with his life coaching, and they might find themselves just as successful and enlightened as he’s become.
“I am passionate about songwriting, performing, and supporting and guiding independent artists’ careers,” he says. “I am also committed to the study of human psycho-spirituality and the power of discipline and purpose. My journey to becoming a certified Accelerated Evolution (TM) Success Coach not only transformed my life but also continues to transform the lives of those I serve. Armed with these priceless life lessons and gifts, I stand here now, committed to supporting others to create their legacy, as I continue to expand my own.”
Hi Tim! Good to see you again! How’s your year been so far?
It’s great to be with you guys again also. The last time we talked was when I released the single “Kickin’ Stones” with my band The Mighty One. Today we’re talking about a new release with my solo project STEINRUCK.
This project has been my focus since late last year and has had my full attention for the first couple of months of 2025.
“Letting You Go” is a deeply personal song about confronting your past self. Can you walk us through the moment when you realized you needed to let go of the person you used to be?
As you know, I’m a transformational success coach, and part of that journey has been to uplevel myself by receiving coaching from some of my mentors and the thought leaders who come into my life.
in late 2019 I agreed to one of these sessions which ended up being a hypnotically induced regressive deep-dive that took me back to when I was six years old.
I was in the second row of the choir in our little country church in Northern B.C. listening to a fire and brimstone sermon. The preacher seemed to look right at me and told me that if I did not admit to the fact that I was a sinner I would burn in hell forever. That didn’t feel good and I immediately questioned this wrathful God they spoke of that I was supposed to fear. I immediately felt guilt and shame for those thoughts but was committed to my instinct that the preacher’s message was wrong but in my young mind justified it by taking on the belief that I must be evil.
I realized that this forgotten and unconscious belief, before the age of reason, had been with me my entire life and was the source of many acts of self-sabotage. At that moment of that realization, I was able to free myself.
I don’t think I’ve ever experienced greater bliss than in that moment. 24 hours I penned “Letting You Go.”
You collaborated with Sarah Smith on this track—how did that collaboration come about, and what did she bring to the song that made it even more powerful?
Sarah came into my life when we were shooting an episode for the docu-drama/reality show RiseUp TV which I co-produced and directed. That was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship and creative relationship. She contacted me shortly after the filming to see if I’d be interested in writing a song with her. I was happy to say yes and ended up producing, mixing, and mastering “Awake In A Dream” for her 2023 “Come Together” album.
In trade, I asked her if she would sing on “Letting You Go” as I’d always envisioned the song as a duet similar to Ozzy Osbourne and Lita Ford’s “Close My Eyes Forever.” She brought her beautiful raw energy and more because of the experiences she experiences in her life.
You’ve had a fascinating journey, from working with Paul Stanley of KISS to now running a record company and working as a success coach. How did those past experiences shape the person and artist you are today?
The experience with Paul Stanley was truly my university education in the music business, songwriting, and record production. Though the multi-million dollar contract never was realized the experience I received in just a few short years has become the foundation from which everything I do now comes. Besides creating music, and taking it to the stage, mentorship and coaching of up-and-coming artists, and those who want to be free of their emotional blocks, is what I am most passionate about. Speaking of these things is what truly lights me up. I’m passionate about supporting the next generation of creators.
What’s next for you musically? Do you see “Letting You Go” as a turning point in your sound and songwriting, and can we expect more music in this vein?
There are two more singles on the way this year. The next song is another beautiful duet written and performed with well-known Canadian songwriter Anette Ducharme which we’ll release in April, and then another with Sarah Smith later in the year.
But first I’ll be dropping a full-length album entitled “God’s Chair” which will be released on March 14th. It features 13 acoustic tracks that dive deep into my relationship with The Divine and the deep spiritual insights I’ve been given on my spiritual journey. I recorded the album in 2009 but have been waiting for the perfect time to release it.
That time has arrived.