For this month’s Michigan Radio segment on “Stateside,” Local Spins spotlights a few bubbling-below-the-surface West Michigan releases you might have overlooked: The Turnips, Cosmic Knot and The Zannies. Listen to the full statewide radio podcast.
Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
The annual folk series gets a big boost with these iconic acts in 2018. St. Cecilia also will host another jazz show: A February CD-release concert for jazz pianist John Proulx. Get all the details and ticket prices at Local Spins, and check out music from the featured acts.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
The long-running northern Michigan band with a jam, funk, rock and bluegrass vibe makes its Local Spins Wednesdays debut this week at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge. Get the back story on Soul Patch, listen to the band’s music, watch the videos.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Top 10 Rewind’ series wraps up with Local Spins’ top story of 2017: the fun June night when drummer Chad Smith made the rounds on stage at the three Grand Rapids venues, some 24 hours before the Chili Peppers’ sold-out show at Van Andel Arena. Relive the evening in this story and videos from Local Spins.
Announcements · Breaking music news
West Michigan musicians can now apply online to perform at Festival 2018 next June. The applications, with a $15 fee, are due by the end of February. Find the links to the online form at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
A legendary Grand Rapids blues band performed live in-studio and an emerging instrumental rock band previewed two new tracks on Local Spins on WYCE, which also boasted new music from The Outer Vibe, Bob Seger, The Fever Haze, Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions and more. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The No. 2 Local Spins story of the year broke the news in January that the much-buzzed-about Traverse City band had inked a contract with the eclectic label to release a new album. Check out the band’s video message and find links to follow-up stories.
Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat · Videos
Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast sat down with Michigan-bred guitarist Billy Strings for a free-wheeling chat about small-town boredom, a’no rules’ attitude and bluegrass snootiness, pride in parents, exploring one’s full potential, rowdy concerts, love of life and riding the wave as long as you can. Listen to the full podcast, watch the video highlights.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Photos · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The ‘Local Spins Rewind’ series continues with another one of the most-read Local Spins stories of 2017: A look at a young band from Frankenmuth that’s become Michigan’s hottest hard rock export. Revisit the concert review, photo gallery and video from September’s sold-out Grand Rapids show, and see what national media outlets are saying about this buzz band. Greta Van Fleet plays another sold-out show at The Intersection in late December.
This week’s featured music video at Local Spins focuses on something new from the founder of the Walk the Beat festival. Check out Dave Palmer’s “Burn,” then see how he’s raising money for a special cause in Haiti through his upcoming performances.
Local Spins’ recap of the Top 10 stories of 2017 takes a look back at Record Store Day 2017. The No. 4 story on the list notes that no arrests were made, but Dodds’ Record Store Day celebration was cut off by authorities mid-stream. Still, most of the day across West Michigan shaped up as a vinyl lover’s dream. Check out the photo gallery and video from an unusual day.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Podcasts · Videos
From swinging by Local Spins on WYCE to firing up a big crowd at The Intersection, the one-time heavy metal kid from Ionia proved his instrumental bluegrass prowess with help from ‘a killer band.’ Browse the photo galleries, watch the video of his in-studio interview and performance, and listen to the full radio podcast. And check out the bonus video from The Intersection show.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Tuesday benefit for WGVU at SpeakEZ Lounge will feature performances by half-dozen solo artists, including Michael Riley, who was featured on this week’s Local Spins on WYCE. Get the lowdown and listen to the full radio podcast featuring new local and regional music and an in-studio performance by Billy Strings and his band.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Local Spins Rewind Top 10: In this January feature that tied for the No. 10 spot on our list of top 2017 stories, Local Spins gave readers a tour of the new downtown venue that unleashed its first concert in February with Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Plus, check out a bonus photo gallery recapping the first 10 months of concerts at 20 Monroe Live.
On the day before Thanksgiving, Local Spins kicks off a series recapping the music website’s Top 10 most-read stories of 2017. The countdown starts at No. 10 with a story about a northern Michigan school video project inspired by The Accidentals’ ‘Michigan and Again.’ The young students garnered 20,000-plus views for their video in a matter of days. Check it out at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The northern Michigan singer-songwriter stopped by the day before his Grand Rapids album-release show. Listen to the full podcast, which also boasts tracks by The Founding, Michael Waite, Conklin Ceili Band, Steve Talaga and more.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s episode featured Satala playing a new song in-studio, plus music from Benjaman James, Jukejoint Handmedowns, The Zannies, Last Gasp Collective, Magenta Flag and more. Watch the video, listen to the full podcast.
Breaking music news · Festivals · Podcasts
November’s music news roundup: a call for bands to enter a Fretboard Fest play-in contest, a Grand Rapids record store move and this month’s Local Spins podcast on Michigan Radio showcasing new West Michigan releases. Get the lowdown and listen to the podcast at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Festivals
Tickets went on sale this morning for concerts taking place next May at the long-running Holland festival, which aims to add variety as well as ‘appeal to a younger spectrum’ of fans. Check out Tulip Time’s musical lineup at Local Spins.
The bluegrass guitar whiz and Michigan native bumped The Accidentals from the top slot last month, with four new regional album entries coming in right behind. See the full chart and listen to music from some of the featured artists.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The special exhibit curated by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Newseum opens Tuesday night in Grand Rapids with compelling videos and rock artifacts. Take a video tour and find out more about this display at Local Spins.
In the sixth episode of Ralston and Sink’s Virtual Podcast, our intrepid music commentators delve into the scary world of mass mayhem that’s rocked major public concerts and festivals, plus event security in general. Listen to the full RSVP Music Chat podcast.
Concert reviews · Festivals · Photos · Videos
The sixth annual house concert festival in Grand Rapids’ Eastown neighborhood featured tightly packed performances by Mark Lavengood, Lando Chill, Glum, Mutual Benefit, Timbre, Breathe Owl Breathe, May Erlewine, Tom Hymn’s Tangerine Dream, Stef Chura and more. Check out the recap, photo gallery and video at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Grand Rapids electronic music duo Pink Sky previewed its Lamp Light Music Festival performance this weekend for Local Spins on WYCE, which also showcased songs from Rachel Zylstra, Bigfoot Buffalo, Great Black Night and FLUSHED. Listen to the full podcast.
The October music news roundup at Local Spins checks in with the latest Walk the Best contest winner, Kid Rock’s faux political campaign and Bob Seger’s recovery.
The fifth episode of Ralston & Sink’s Virtual Podcast takes a second crack at why some bands can’t seem to get traction. Take a listen to the podcast, then pipe in with your own take on the subject — or on any musical topic.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Another week of audience-inspiring music had West Michigan fans cheering national touring acts and local stars alike — and Local Spins was there to capture the images. Browse all of the photo galleries and find links to reviews of Steely Dan and 311.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The 162nd episode of the show spotlighting local and regional acts also boasted music from Wicker Basket, Cosmic Knot, Jake Kershaw, Hannah Laine and Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys. Listen to this week’s radio podcast.
Owner Roy Wallace has continued the legacy of Michigan’s longest-running studio at a new location, with 2017’s diverse projects featuring UV Hippo, Lipstick Jodi, Moxie Strings, Watching for Foxes, Rockit King and more. Learn more about the studio and take a video tour.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Listen to three podcasts spotlighting regional music: The past two episodes of Local Spins on WYCE, plus Local Spins on Michigan Radio, highlighting May Erlewine, Desmond Jones, Valley Girl, Cameron Blake, Sojii, FlyLiteGemini, Joshua Davis, Ruth & Max Bloomquist, Slumlord Radio and more.
How about just trying to “be nice”? The fourth episode of Ralston & Sink’s Virtual Podcast tackles reader comments on the attitudes and stumbling blocks that can thwart a band’s progress or success. Listen and then pipe in with your own take on the topic.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
Relocating to West Michigan from Chicago, the Traverse City-bred band plays Founders Brewing on Thursday and Grand Armory Brewing on Oct. 20 while creating new songs for its sophomore album. Check out the Local Spins profile of this emerging band, along with video and audio samples of its unique music.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Third Eye Blind, FlyLite Gemini, Jordan Dodson, The War & Treaty, Insane Theatre, The Adams Family, Yuri and more pump up the week. Plus, take advantage of two ticket giveaways: Mastodon and Paula Cole, only at Local Spins.
Led by Black Francis, the Pixies’ tour stop at 20 Monroe Live on Saturday night was an epic, rapid-fire affair that didn’t disappoint exuberant devotees. The Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
The bluegrass band will send Mark “Huggy Bear” Lavengood off with a Michigan tour that kicks off Oct. 20, while The Great Ones — hip hop’s Lady Ace Boogie and JRob — celebrate a $1,000 win during ArtPrize. Get the full story at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
Call it the youth movement. Traverse City indie-folk faves The Accidentals once again hit No. 1 for regional airplay on WYCE, with teen guitarist Jake Kershaw and bluegrass phenom Billy Strings debuting in the Top 5. Check out videos, audio of the Top 5 artists, along with a listing of new local and regional releases.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The much-respected Earthwork Music artist is releasing her new recording exclusively for Michigan fans first, playing a series of album-release shows in Grand Rapids, Spring Lake, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor and beyond. Get the back story behind this new project, check out a Local Spins review of the album, listen to the first single.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The influential rock band brings its North American tour to Grand Rapids’ 20 Monroe Live on Saturday. The Local Spins interview with “frustratingly cool” guitarist Joey Santiago.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
Gojira helps get the week started and you can win tickets to the show from Local Spins. And there’s more on the docket: Mushroomhead, Tommy Castro, Mike Gordon, Cousin Avery, Cabildo, Lambo and the Red Flannel Festival. See all of this week’s live music picks on The Big List.
With performances by Yolonda Lavender, The Bootstrap Boys and Michigander, the second-year festival drew big throngs of ArtPrize visitors to the downtown pedestrian bridge over the Grand River. Check out the images.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Vintage Gigs
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured an in-studio performance by Kyle Rasche and Dana Jackson of Chain of Lakes, plus the premiere of new tracks by Bigfoot Buffalo, Deerfield Run, Organissimo and Cameron Blake. Listen to the full podcast and watch the video.
Artist Spotlights · Festivals · Upcoming shows · Videos
Along with other regional stars, the fast-emerging Grand Rapids hip hop artist on Saturday plays both the Blue Bridge Music Fest and Ladyfest at the Lakeshore as she eyes release of her sophomore album. Read about her new project, watch the video for her new single and save full schedules for both festivals at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The teen guitar sensation made an impressive in-studio visit for Local Spins on WYCE, which this week also premiered tracks by Cruelworld, The Autumnatic, Desmond Jones, Hominian, Jukejoint Handmedowns, Gifts or Creatures and more. Listen to the podcast and check out Cruelworld’s new video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band rocked the studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also boasted new tracks by Cosmonaut, May Erlewine, Cosmic Knot, The B-Side Growlers and more. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, podcast and video.
Commentary · Podcasts · RSVP Music Chat
Take 3 of Ralston & Sink’s Virtual Podcast burrows into the thorny thicket of musicians pontificating on politics via social media and in their music. Hear what our resident RSVP Music Chatters have to say on the subject and pipe in with your own comments.
If the Detroit rocker really is ready to ‘Turn the Page’ on his career, he left West Michigan devotees on Tuesday with an upbeat, heyday-spanning memory of a lifetime. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features
The national music publication praised the Albion husband-and-wife duo for a ‘tense and hypnotic’ performance during the showcase festival and conference. Read more about it and the band’s reaction at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
On the cusp of Seger’s Grand Rapids tour stop, Wilson chats with Local Spins about dancing with Seger, her excitement about Roadcase Royale’s new album and the uncertain future of Heart. The Local Spins interview.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
More than 2,500 attendees reveled Friday in dozens of performances by Michigan stars on opening day of this weekend festival on Earthwork Farm. Watch the video highlights and check out the photos, only at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The hard rock band from Frankenmuth — Michigan’s hottest new rock export these days — fired up a sold-out Stache inside The Intersection on Thursday. Read the review, browse the photos, watch the videos.
