This March roundup of releases by Michigan artists also includes our takes on new albums by Jessica Wolfbird and Stephen Hooper. Plus, listen to tracks from each artist.
Spreading Their Wings: Brie Stoner (above) and Overly Polite Tornadoes soar with their new releases. (Photos/Chelsea Whitaker/Derek Ketchum)
From veteran players to emerging artists, Michigan’s music scene continues to generate new recordings with intriguing perspectives.
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Take Grand Funk Railroad co-founder and northern Michigan resident Mark Farner, who at 76 just released a new “soul-stirring” solo album, or up-and-coming Kalamazoo band Moon Orchids, which recently dropped its debut full-length record, described as genre-melding affair.
And there’s plenty more diversity where that came from as you’ll see below.
Check out previous Local Spins reviews of Michigan releases online here.
Moon Orchids
“Moon Orchids”
What Stands Out: The debut full-length album from Kalamazoo rock band Moon Orchids contains an intriguing mix of genres paired with thought-provoking and moody lyrics. The self-titled project alternates between folk-inspired tracks with minimalistic guitar strumming and a heavier alt-rock sound that even touches on blues and psych-rock elements in the track “Taciturn.” Much of the album maintains the theme of being disheartened at the state of the world and finding it difficult to move through life when things feel so hopeless.
Digging Deeper: For all of its melancholy moments, there are glimpses of optimism that shine through on the album as well, particularly on the track “November.” This track introduces a different lead vocalist and features lyrics about finding something you’ve been looking for. Some tracks may require a little bit of decoding and contemplating the lyrics to fully grasp the meaning. It almost seems as if the band has inserted its lengthy instrumental moments in-between each verse for this reason: to give listeners a few moments to let the meaning of each line really sink in. “Moon Orchids” comes full circle in a literal way by closing the album with “The Gospel Tree,” which very closely mirrors the opening track, “the Gospel Tree II.” While the opening track features a folky guitar instrumental, the closer contains a much heavier, electric guitar-driven backdrop. Several lines are changed just slightly, leaving listeners to ruminate on why these tracks were chosen as the main thesis for the project and how those subtle changes play into the overall message.
Perfect For: Contemplating life and why it’s important to keep moving even when it feels impossible. – By Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://moonorchids.bandcamp.com
Upcoming Show: A chat with Fans With Bands on March 11; details online here.
Listen: “The Gospel Tree”
Brie Stoner
“Like A Man”
What Stands Out: Over the course of these four new tracks, Grand Rapids indie-dream-rock artist Brie Stoner paints vivid pictures with her lyrics, dismantles the idea of gender roles, and experiments with different styles on each track. The catchy chorus of “Like A Man” leans on pop elements, the driving bass and buzzing synths in “Forget About You” calls on Stoner’s dream-rock roots, “Wendy Lady” introduces a timeless, piano-led ballad, and “Lost In L.A.” weaves a cinematic storytelling experience. It’s actually difficult to not picture an artistic black-and-white film playing in your head while listening to this project.
Digging Deeper: Stoner’s versatile voice is what really shines on this EP. Her vocals range from light-as-a-feather falsettos that are often layered, creating a dreamy, trancelike sound to deep, rich tones that give Stoner’s poetic lyrics even more depth and sincerity. The title “Like A Man” asserts that this EP is centered around Stoner taking control of her life and finding freedom in the feeling that she doesn’t rely on anyone else to tell her what she can and can’t do. The message about self-love and trusting in yourself is made evident in “Wendy Lady” with the line, “I left holding my own hand.” The EP’s make-believe credits roll as the haunting and bittersweet “Lost In L.A.” closes out the story Stoner set out to tell.
Perfect For: Fans of picturesque lyrics and Lana Del Rey’s early music. – By Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://www.briestoner.com
Listen: “Like a Man”
Mark Farner
“Closer to Home”
What Stands Out: Mark Farner’s “Closer to Home” is an electrifying return to form for the Grand Funk Railroad frontman, marking his first full-length release in nearly two decades. True to its title, the album pays homage to his legendary past while carving out bold new territory. From the opening track, “Anymore,” Farner’s unmistakable voice and guitar work immediately pull you in. The album stands out for its seamless blend of nostalgic, ’70s rock energy and modern influences. Songs like “The Prisoner” and “Surveilling US” capture the anti-establishment, free-spirited essence that made Farner a household name. Meanwhile, tracks such as “Facade” showcase an experimental edge, offering atmospheric and exotic textures that break away from his straightforward rock foundation. Perhaps the most surprising moment comes with “Same Game,” where Farner dips into metal a bit, delivering heavy riffs reminiscent of Pantera or Alice in Chains, but unmistakably stamped with his own rock ’n’ roll soul.
Digging Deeper: At its core, “Closer to Home” feels like an autobiographical journey, a reflection on Farner’s decades-long career and personal evolution. The album balances introspection with defiance, as Farner looks back on a life filled with triumphs, trials, and transformations. The album ultimately reaffirms Farner’s status as a rock legend with plenty left to say with his wild shirtless lyrics. It’s not just an album for longtime fans but a testament to Farner’s ability to evolve while honoring the legacy that he’s known for. Whether it’s through heavy-hitting riffs, soul-stirring ballads or poignant storytelling, Farner proves he’s still at the top of his game.
Perfect for: A long road trip with the top down and the music up. – By Sean Miller
Website: https://markfarner.com/
Upcoming Shows: The week-long ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise 2025 embarking from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on March 15.
Listen: “The Prisoner”
Overly Polite Tornadoes
“Leave A Space”
What Stands Out: Husband-and-wife duo Mark Andrew Morris and Holly Klutts Morris’ latest endeavor as Overly Polite Tornadoes can be described as wistful, textured, and sentimental. While “Leave A Space” aligns with many elements of the shoegaze genre, it takes a more subdued approach. Shoegaze is often described as noisy and very distorted, but Overly Polite Tornadoes’ addition of folk elements and carefully balanced production gives them their own unique identity within the genre. The duo does, however, stay true to the genre in their experimentation with different guitar tones and textures as well as some unusual percussive sounds that give certain tracks a three-dimensional quality when listening with headphones.
Digging Deeper: It’s easy to infer that the lyrical content of “Leave A Space” contains personal details that hold meanings specific to the Morrises’ relationship. References to golden spoons or tiny turtles may not resonate with listeners at first, but the duo’s emotional and breathy vocal delivery, whether together or separately, are enough to convince you of their significance. These engaging lyrics maintain a balance between reminiscing on days past and remaining hopeful and optimistic about the future. There is a refreshing sense of brightness woven throughout this project that encourages listeners to romanticize the small joys in life. “Leave A Space” sends listeners off with the dreamy and meditative track, “Was,” which incorporates a soothing music box-inspired instrumental.
Perfect For: Anticipating the end of winter and the brighter days ahead. – By Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://www.facebook.com/overlypolitetornadoes
Listen: “Tiny Turtles”
Jessica Wolfbird
“Everything’s True”
What Stands Out: St. Joeseph-based singer-songwriter Jessica Wolfbird’s debut album (after several releases as Jessica in the Rainbow) combines the songs she had previously released on two EPs of the same name, along with several new ones, which she describes as “existential dream folk.” Across 10 tracks, she meditates on the ways we choose to exist, the values she carries, and the way they have influenced her spiritual and total self. It’s full of ponderings on purpose, and even some celebrations about small things she’s taken time to recognize more value in, such as “Full of Beauty” or “‘Boat, Plane, Bear (i.e. Traveling Song).” There are a few ballads (“Flying / Falling,” “Bloom”) and moments of sadness as well (“Fluttering,” “Wild”). What comes together in the end is an album that sounds like floating through someone’s dream.
Digging Deeper: Beginning with the winkling piano keys and ethereal, high voice heard across the record, the opening track is one of the most existential. When the tempo picks up, Jessica begins asserting positive affirmations about being, physically and spiritually. “And I choose to breathe / And I choose to be here,” she sings. It’s easy to feel the sincerity in her writing, with highlights “Traveling Walls” and the friendship celebration, “Anchor (takes a boat)” weaving intricate histories made of vulnerability and love. A line on “Words” sticks out: “And take care of your very soul,” she pleads/ “The same thing you know / That writes these words.”
Perfect For: Drifting through a memory daydream. – By Parker Learman-Blaauw
Website: https://jessicaintherainbow.com/
Upcoming Shows: March 14 at The Whaleback Inn in Leland (with Jack M. Senff, John Richard Paul and Ty Maxon); April 12 for Ladyfest 2025 at Wolfbird House in St. Joseph (with Bicycle Shorts, Empress Eyes, Matryoshka Ghost, MattiJane Brooks, Megan Dooley, Tana Archer, Supo and Onion).
Listen: “Traveling Walls”
Stephen Hooper
“Man of Valor”
What Stands Out: This U.P. singer-songwriter lays out his spiritual journey in this largely downtempo and stripped down effort. Hooper recounts his 14-year struggle with -– and eventual stepping away from — evangelical Christian faith and its often troublesome quirks and contradictions between belief and real-life expression. He recounts experiences of his youth (“Laodecia and Minnesota”) and encountering doctrinal concepts (“Rob Bell”). The latter is a generally slow and plodding keyboard/guitar combination pondering the questions of good/evil and heaven/hell. Yet there are musical pictures of youth’s more peaceful memories in “Goldenrod,” buoyed by glimmer-effect guitar describing a serene, rural setting and a time when “grandpa was singing in the choir” and “every song was sung in earnest.”
Digging Deeper: There’s some anger in Hooper’s uneven vocals — yelling in the choruses of the more forceful songs such as “Echoes” (“I don’t know what’s true … I’ve lost my will to understand,”) and “Worthless Altar” (“Smoke may blind my eyes … gaze upon these embers).” But Hooper shows some reticence in “The Question,” revealing, “Sometimes I wish I would have stayed, hold my head up high and say it was worth it all,” and a new outlook, “Someday I’ll learn to live among these lovely broken things.” A good summary of his journey comes in a lyric from “The Answer”: “How we change across the years, every sign we swore was true, even now the answer still escapes.”
Perfect For: Spiritual seekers who wonder about “deconstructing” faith. – By Terry DeBoer
Website: https://www.facebook.com/utcsmusic
Listen: “Shamgar”
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