About Local Spins
On the Air: John Sinkevics during Local Spins on WYCE.
Keeping the spotlight on talented West Michigan bands and the burgeoning regional concert scene: That was John Sinkevics’ mission for years as lead music critic and entertainment writer for The Grand Rapids Press.
Since 2012, he’s continued that mission as editor and publisher of the Local Spins website, with news updates on Grand Rapids-area musical happenings, concert listings, guest columns, photo galleries, videos, podcasts, concert, festival and album reviews, playlists and weekly features on different artists — many of whom appear on radio via Local Spins on WYCE at 11 a.m. Fridays on WYCE 88.1 FM.
Editor, Publisher, Festival-Attender: John Sinkevics
His work has been acknowledged by musicians, music lovers and radio listeners: Not only was the Grand Haven native honored by WYCE with a Legacy Award for his support of the music community, but he finished third in Revue Magazine’s 2016 “Best of the West” readers’ poll for favorite radio personality.
But the website also depends on a dedicated, talented staff of freelance writers and photographers who tirelessly provide coverage of bands, solo artists, concerts, festivals and more across West Michigan.
As part of its goal to spotlight local talent, Local Spins has been the longtime host of a regional weekly concert series at SpeakEZ Lounge that showcases up-and-coming and veteran acts from across the region. Although the series is on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Local Spins Wednesdays will return later in 2021 in the intimate confines of this downtown restaurant, bar and music venue.
Prior to the pandemic shutdown, the website also hosted regular Local Spins Live at River City Studios sessions where a variety of regional acts were interviewed and performed songs in front of a small studio audience. The sessions streamed live on Local Spins’ Facebook page, with stories and videos from those sessions later posted at the Local Spins website. Stay tuned for resumption of that series.
John with Michelle McCormick, Ed Buchanan and Tony Gates on WLAV-FM. (Photo/Anna Sinkevics)
Local Spins posts reviews and in-depth features focusing attention on a host of important and eclectic Grand Rapids area bands and solo artists. Annual Local Spin of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year awards have honored some of the region’s most talented acts, including Vox Vidorra, Conrad Shock + The Noise, Jake Kershaw, The Soil & The Sun, Dave Hardin, Drew Nelson, Ralston Bowles, Bless You Boys, The Crane Wives, The Fuzzrites, Simien the Whale and Ultraviolet Hippopotamus.
As a result of all these efforts, Local Spins has become the fastest-growing music website in West Michigan, with a growing audience of devoted readers.
Stories and features focusing on West Michigan’s music scene also can be found regularly in The Holland Sentinel and Traverse City Record-Eagle.
All material at Spins on Music: Copyright 2012-2021 by John Sinkevics and Spins on Music LLC. (Not to be reused without permission … but we’re likely to give it to help spread the word!)
