Beyond the familiar and popular regional artists who’ve already made a splash are a bevy of bands simmering under the radar as one of the ‘next big things.’ Here are a dozen to sample in words and song.
Big, Loud ‘Coolest Kid at the Party’: Grand Rapids’ Coffin Problem makes the summer list of ‘Acts to Watch.’ (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
In summertime, West Michigan’s music scene is as hot as the weather.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
It’s the perfect time for Local Spins to once again spotlight another talented bunch of emerging bands and solo acts – artists who are turning heads and teetering on the cusp of breaking out to a wider audience. (You can check out last fall’s “15 West Michigan acts to watch” online here.)
For the July 2016 edition, we asked our intrepid staff of contributors for their picks of buzz-worthy acts deserving of more attention. Check out their selections and feel free to submit your own under-the-radar gems in the comments below. The more, the merrier.
WEST MICHIGAN ACTS TO WATCH (SUMMER 2016)
Dear Tracks
THE ARTIST: Dear Tracks
THE MUSIC: The dreamiest of dream-pop
WHY IT STANDS OUT: The duo of Matt Messore and Victoria Ovenden head up this leading act in Grand Rapids’ newly thriving shoegaze and dream-pop scene. Its “Soft Dreams” EP, released earlier this year, swells with swirly guitars gorgeous synth melodies, breathy vocals and cavernous reverb. Old-school fans of Ride, Cocteau Twins, Slowdive, Pale Saints, etc., can rest assured that the torch burns brightly with the new generation.
UPCOMING SHOWS: Dear Tracks, which performs live as a trio, is booking shows for the fall while writing its debut full-length, which it plans to record in New York at the end of the summer and release next year.
MORE INFO: deartracksband.com, deartracks.bandcamp.com, soundcloud.com/deartracks
MUSIC SAMPLE: “Soft Dreams”
Coffin Problem (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
THE ARTIST: Coffin Problem
THE MUSIC: Big, loud, druggy drone-rock
WHY IT STANDS OUT: This super-group-of-sorts is like the coolest kid at the party, featuring the talents of four musicians associated with Grand Rapids’ favorites like Stepdad, Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, Shores and Jade TV. Locally based ultra-indie label dizzybird records will officially release the band’s vinyl debut later this month but it’s already earned much acclaim. Crack a beer, turn up the volume and chill.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 23 album-release show at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/coffinproblem
http://dizzybirdrecords.com/artists/coffin-problem/
MUSIC SAMPLE: “Empty”
Josiah Zittel (Photo/Rickhy Olmos)
THE ARTIST: Josiah David Zittel
THE MUSIC: Acoustic Folk
WHY IT STANDS OUT: A young troubadour, Josiah Zittel is only beginning to forge his path through the Grand Rapids music scene. Separating him from a plethora of West Michigan singer-songwriters is his unique, soft-yet-steady voice, which accompanies introspective songwriting and colorful melodies. Delicate chord structures ring out on acoustic guitar, and hooks flow seamlessly together. But most notably heard in Zittel’s songs is the sincere timbre of his voice and the way he conveys emotion with each musical nuance.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 30, Grand Rapids House show at 1162 Oaklawn St.
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/Josiah-David-Zittel-1467129423556720/
MUSIC SAMPLE: “On the Way”
Ghost Orchard
THE ARTIST: Ghost Orchard
THE MUSIC: Acoustic lo-fi indie-pop
WHY IT STANDS OUT: Soft yet well-controlled vocals comparable to Bon Iver, coupled with acoustic guitar and subtle use of other instrumentation make listening to Grand Rapids native Ghost Orchard, aka Sam Hall, a raw and powerful experience. He released his most recent project, “Bliss,” in April, following up on two albums released in 2015..
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/ghostorchard/
MUSIC SAMPLE: “I Saw You Floating”
Devin & The Dead Frets (Photo/Anna Sink)
THE ARTIST: Devin & the Dead Frets
THE MUSIC: Rock ‘n’ Roll
WHY IT STANDS OUT: On the verge of releasing their debut album later this month, Devin and the Dead Frets are more than ready to share their furious electric rock with West Michigan and beyond. This is a band with some serious rock ‘n’ roll punch.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 9 at Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/devinandthedeadfrets/
MUSIC SAMPLE: “Carry On”
Wu Zee
THE ARTIST: Wu Zee
THE MUSIC: Hip Hop
WHY IT STANDS OUT: Wu Zee is fun to listen to. It’s as simple as that. Based on Wu Zee’s beat selection and flow, it comes as no surprise that two of the Grand Rapids artist’s greatest influences are MF Doom and Wu-Tang Clan. His latest project, “Never Die Alone,” is upbeat and filled with creative wordplay worth dissecting.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 23 at U Gallery in Detroit, August 5-7 at Up North Rave Out in Luzerne
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/footclan777
MUSIC SAMPLE: “Fading Away”
Matt Gabriel
THE ARTIST: Matt Gabriel
THE MUSIC: Folk Singer/Songwriter
WHY IT STANDS OUT: Gabriel’s newest EP shows an impressive range and versatility, which is impressive considering it only holds three songs. A full-time singer-songwriter, he believes in putting his best music forward on a regular basis as consistently as he can – and he certainly does not disappoint.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 9 at Workshop Brewing in Traverse City, July 21 at Macatawa Bay Yacht Club in Holland
MORE INFO: http://mattgabrielmusic.com
MUSIC SAMPLE: “True North”
Julia & The Greensides
THE ARTIST: Julia & The Greensides
THE MUSIC: Contemporary folk/Americana
WHY IT STANDS OUT: With live shows full of lively, crowd-pleasing sets, the eclectic instruments in the group bring a warm sound to a variety of covers, as well of plenty of original writing they have completed and look forward to recording very soon. Watch for this Muskegon group: they play regularly across West Michigan.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 13 and July 27 at The Lake House in Muskegon
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/juliagreensides/?fref=ts
MUSIC SAMPLE: “Question”
Cold Mountain Child (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
THE ARTIST: Cold Mountain Child
THE MUSIC: Rootsy, psychedelic folk
WHY IT STANDS OUT: This Kalamazoo band brings out the relaxing side of summer sounds. The music boasts almost psychedelic-sounding harmonies led by Tyler Bradley, an incredible blend of acoustic and electric guitars (Shane Carlson), bass (Matthew Milo, also of Less is More) and a mix of other strings and keyboards. A track such as “Cultivation” is one part Simon & Garfunkel and one part Allman Brothers Band. It all amounts to a calming folk sound with a lot of positive energy. Fresh off of opening for The Ragbirds, you can catch Cold Mountain Child a couple more times this month.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 7 at Big Lake Brewing in Holland; July 23 at Rhythm on the River festival in South Haven
MORE INFO: http://www.coldmountainchild.com/
MUSIC SAMPLE: “Chaga” (by Casey Snyder)
Oh Brother Big Sister (Photo/Johnson Photography)
THE ARTIST: Oh Brother Big Sister
THE MUSIC: Harmony-filled acoustic indie-folk/jazz/rock
WHY IT STANDS OUT: Playing music fulltime starting in 2014, this genre-melding, Grayling-based siblings duo of Penny Jean and Radel Rosin is familiar to Traverse City and northern Michigan audiences, having honed their skills at a young age. The duo’s striking sibling harmonies, looped instrumentals and mix of acoustic indie-folk, jazz and rock have turned heads, so much so that Oh Brother Big Sister will play Blissfest for the first time next weekend. Their latest album, “Thanks & Praise,” was released in January to rave reviews.
UPCOMING SHOWS: Tuesday for Crooked Tree Concerts in the Park in Petoskey, July 8-10 at Blissfest near Harbor Springs, July 16 at Cadillac Festival of the Arts
MORE INFO: http://www.ohbrotherbigsister.com/
MUSIC SAMPLE: “Mind”
Trash Hounds (Photo/Anna Sink)
THE ARTIST: Trash Hounds
THE MUSIC: Garage-fueled psych-rock with pop sensibility
WHY IT STANDS OUT: Formed less than a year ago, this trio – guitarist Ben Taber, bassist Kevin Kitsch and drummer Stephen Robert – features two members of The Legal Immigrants and rocks just as hard as that band but in a different way, incorporating its own twist on psychedelic, reverb-infused rock meshed with striking ‘60s pop-styled vocals. They’ve already released a debut EP and are working on even more groovy material, so keep your eyes and ears peeled.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 14 at Mulligan’s Pub in Grand Rapids
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/thetrashhounds/
MUSIC SAMPLE: Trash Hounds, “Leech”
Bello Spark (Photo/David Specht)
THE ARTIST: Bello Spark
THE MUSIC: Atmospheric, epic Americana, indie-rock
WHY IT STANDS OUT: With the addition of singer (and writer) Cole Hansen – not to mention bassist Joe Chamberlin and drummer Jay Kolk – Bello Spark has morphed into a five-piece West Michigan super-group of experienced players, and a much different band than the one that released its debut album a couple of years ago as the duo of Rob Jordan and Tory Peterson. Their music is at once striking, emotional and sonically alluring.
UPCOMING SHOWS: July 9 CD-release show at Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids, July 16 at Big Hart Brewing in Hart, Aug. 19 at VanderMill Cider in Spring Lake
MORE INFO: http://www.bellospark.com/
MUSIC SAMPLE: “Just Like You and Me”
Contributors: Ricky Olmos, Troy Reimink, Tricia Woolfenden, Matt Marn, Hunter Gamble, Adrianna Walker, Derek Ketchum, David Specht, John Sinkevics
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
