Michigan’s thriving music scene has spawned another intriguing volley of new releases reviewed at Local Spins, including fresh recordings from Josiah DeNooyer and Rabbit Fur.
An Inviting ‘Black Moon’: In the Valley Below is touring the country behind its new recording. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Consider it welcome relief from Michigan’s oven-like summer weather: a refreshing breeze of cool new releases from a divergent mix of regional artists.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
It’s an intoxicating bunch, indeed, spanning rock, folk, electro-pop, jazz and more, and we’ve got tracks to sample from each recording.
And check out previous Local Spins reviews of Michigan albums online here, including the latest live album from Billy Strings.
In the Valley Below
“The Black Moon”
What Stands Out: Could In the Valley Below somehow still be Grand Rapids’ best-kept (and biggest) musical secret? First making a splash in Los Angeles back in 2014 (think “Peaches”), West Michigan native Angela Gail Mattson and Tennessee’s Jeffrey Jacob Mendel moved to Grand Rapids eight years ago, bringing their infectious, buzz-generating, electro-pop-driven indie-rock with them. As inviting, catchy and stylish as their work over the past decade has been, In the Valley Below may have hit a new high watermark with “The Black Moon.” Perfecting their sonic attack, airy harmonies and driving pop-infused rock, the duo takes listeners on a transfiguring, night-drenched voyage via fittingly titled gems such as “Twilight,” “Night Shades,” “Moonshine Paradise,” “Orion” and “Brushfire,” a spectral, somewhat-apocalyptic romp which ignites the whole 10-track affair ablaze: “I’m ready to burn/I may not return/I walk with fire/This is my church/I kneel and I search/I walk with fire.”
Digging Deeper: The band’s third studio album is rife with potential hits beyond “Brushfire” — which features producer Sam Cohen (Sharon Van Etten, Danger Mouse) spinning the dials — from the shadowy “Moonshine Paradise” and “Bad Bunny” to the guitar-drenched “Inland Empire.” The lush production, hefty beats and carefully constructed vocals smartly balance keyboard and guitar accents with a mesmerizing soundbed that weaves its way through every track.
Perfect for: Night drives, contemplating the beauty of darkness, dancing at midnight and “reaching for Orion.” – John Sinkevics
Website: https://inthevalleybelow.com/
Upcoming Shows: Aug. 7 at Empty Bottle in Chicago (with a Grand Rapids show to be announced soon)
Listen: “Night Shades”
Major Murphy
“Fallout”
What Stands Out: Major Murphy’s “Fallout” can’t help but radiate an emotional depth that is sculpted with the force of a group moving as one. No song is left unpolished and each moment bridges that powerful combination of meticulous crafting and sonic exploration, with lyrical subjects touching on living a creative life, parenting, and empathy. The indie-rock band also recruited the talents of Jeffrey Niemeier (violin, mandolin) and Agnes Weiss (violin) to layer some gorgeous moments of string expressions, with Blake Rhein (Durand Jones & The Indications) creating the abstract album artwork. Overall, it is an album from a Grand Rapids band that is lovingly crafted by some talented hands and begs a repeat listen.
Digging Deeper: It is so wonderful to hear an album that is so carefully crafted as a listening experience, rather than simply just a collection of new songs. The record ebbs and flows, with tracks such as “The Water” bathing you in cascading textures that cleanse your listening palette, beautifully sequeing into “Puzzle.” The lyrical delivery, sampling/production choices, and treatment of the compositions all delight in painting with vivid colors and letting the canvas ooze with personality. Even during more subtle, intimate moments on this record, listeners are transported to a universe confidently navigated by the Major Murphy crew, and it is a stellar journey to embark on.
Perfect For: Those needing their soul hugged with sound. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://winspear.biz/majormurphy
Upcoming Show: Oct. 9 at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids for Local Spins Wednesdays
Listen: “Breakdown”
RyneShyne
“RYN3SHYN3”
What Stands Out: From his Upstairs Man recording studio in Lowell, his involvement with Midwest Gold Records, and the various names under which he’s released music over the years, Ryne Clarke is a vital part of the West Michigan music scene in a multitude of ways. His latest solo release under the name RyneShyne weaves a tapestry of elements from Clarke’s own projects as well as inspiration from his musical heroes. Elements inspired by his psychedelic punk project Vernon Potts can be heard in the fuzzy guitar tones of “Pretend,” while Clarke’s vocals and folky guitar strumming on “Anymore” are reminiscent of Bob Dylan who Clarke names as one of his main influences on his website alongside The Velvet Underground and Wilco. An unlikely combination, but once you hear a couple tracks from “RYN3SHYN3,” it makes perfect sense.
Digging Deeper: Ryne Clarke doesn’t shy away from experimental elements like the inclusion of flute and saxophone on various tracks or the spacey, atmospheric sounds that are introduced on the track “OOO OOO.” The album as a whole has a laid-back feel to it, but the intricacies and carefully placed components within each track prove that the process that went into creating this project was anything but simple. To represent such far-reaching influences and genres as one cohesive body of work is no easy feat, but Clarke’s skills as an audio engineer undoubtedly played a huge part in piecing this album together.
Perfect For: Those who are seeking a folk project that has a bit more of a unique, alternative edge to it. – Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://www.ryneshyne.club
Upcoming Shows: Aug. 9 For KDL Vibes Fest at the Kent District Library’s Cascade Branch (2 p.m.); Aug. 16 at Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids
Listen: “Anymore”
Josiah DeNooyer
“Fragments”
What Stands Out: Amid West Michigan’s music scene, Josiah DeNooyer is a name that is synonymous with multi-faceted talent. Audiences can see the Kalamazoo artist around the area with church bands, jazz combos, funk groups, and in music education while being a solid composer, drummer, keyboardist and collaborator. “Fragments” includes several original compositions recorded live at Third Coast Recording Co. in Grand Haven in front of a live, studio audience. Listeners can expect a range of emotional depth, poetic prose, a blending of classical and jazz elements, and a host of some of Michigan’s finest artists.
Digging Deeper: The album is both the realization of Josiah DeNooyer’s compositional vision and the celebration of regional talent, with recognized names in the Kalamazoo scene appearing throughout the live taping, including singer Faith Quashie, saxophonist Kyle Burgess and pianist Bill Cessna. This record is a moment captured in time, lacking the safety of a typical studio session by forgoing overdubs/retakes and seeking to cultivate the listening experience in one night of artistry. Each fragment of DeNooyer’s vision coalesces beautifully into a spectacular performance, and it cements his presence in the Michigan music scene as a wonderful musician to experience live.
Perfect For: Jazz and classical fans coming together to celebrate some of Michigan’s finest while absorbing the emotional depth of the experience. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://josiahdenooyermusic.com/
Listen: “Estrellita” (Manuel Ponce, Arr. by Josiah DeNooyer)
Overdrive Orchestra
“Restless Star”
What Stands Out: Overdrive Orchestra means business. This is a seriously polished and well-rehearsed band that knows its sound. It’s hard to put a finger on it, but there are definite influences including System of a Down, Korn and other hard rock bands. Standout songs include the bass and drum-heavy “Dark Mountain” and the almost math rock tune, “No Consent,” which also features a half-time breakdown and what sounds to be a mandolin; not something you’d typically find on a hard rock album.
Digging Deeper: The fourth record release from the Grand Rapids band really seems to focus and touch on one aspect of life that everyone inevitably finds themselves facing — death. The whole album carries themes of death whether that be losing loved ones, past lives, letting go and having to be true to yourself and your beliefs. However, through the pain and reflections of death, their lyrics and soundscapes also acknowledge mental health struggles while encouraging listeners to rediscover themselves and to rise above their downfalls.
Perfect For: Late-night freeway driving or an intense gym session. – Sean Miller
Website: https://overdriveorchestra.com/
Upcoming Shows: Aug. 16 at Wayland City Park in Wayland for Concerts in the Park (Overdrive Orchestra frontman/guitarist Chris Cranick plays the same concert series on Aug. 9)
Listen: “No Consent”
Rabbit Fur
“Some Will Rise”
What Stands Out: The latest release from Grand Rapids’ Rabbit Fur serves as the perfect album for those who dive deep into the folk realm and enjoy artists such as Bon Iver, Gregory Alan Isakov and Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange). Written by the band and recorded in Grand Rapids, the album is a testament to a a group of musicians meaning ng to standout with their own unique sound. It’s a beautifully crafted album with some dark undertones that really fit the tone of the lyrics throughout.
Digging Deeper: A departure from the duo’s previous venture, Rebecca Rodriguez and Aaron Ekins (former members of the pop band The Icicles) focus more on somber timbres, intricate writing and a definite folk and Americana sound mixed with just a touch of rock that’s reminiscent of bands such as Shinedown and Alterbridge. All of the songs also have a hint of Alan Isakov in the lyrics and guitar work. Rabbit Fur paints its portrait with impressive sonic soundscapes and vague but (somehow also) descriptive lyrics.
Perfect For: Days when the air is crisp and the seasons turn from summer to fall. – Sean Miller
Website: https://rabbitfurband.com/
Upcoming Shows: Aug. 3 for Midtown’s Open Stage at Studio Park in Grand Rapids; Aug. 10 for KDL Vibes Fest at the Cascade Branch of the Kent District Library (noon)
Copyright 2024, Spins on Music LLC
