Winter Wheat: Saturday’s roots music fest aims to pack Grand Rapids venue indoors and out
Michigan folk, bluegrass and roots acts — from Lindsay Lou to Blue Molly — will ‘rub elbows’ and play the day-long Wheatland fundraiser at The Intersection.
Author: John Sinkevics
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Kari Lynch, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, Junior Valentine/Jason Wheeler: Weekend Photo Gallery
There’s nothing quite like riveting live music to heat up a cold winter night, so Local Spins bundled up with rock, blues, country and more.
Breaking music news · Top 10 Lists
UV Hippo’s “Translate” wins Local Spin of the Year
The hard-touring Grand Rapids’ jam band’s masterfully produced 2013 album was recorded at two different West Michigan studios. It snags the first big award of the year. And check out the Local Spins Top 10.
Best of Local Spins for 2013: Drew Nelson, Hannah Rose Graves, Don Dorshimer, Festival of the Arts
As we rock into 2014, Local Spins takes a look at the top music stories on the website from the past year: the posts and features that drew the most interest from readers.
Greensky Bluegrass, Starlight Six rock into New Year’s in rootsy way for huge Grand Rapids crowds
While thousands braved brisk temps at downtown’s outdoor Hot New Year’s Eve party, others packed Wealthy Theatre and The Intersection for lively, creative shows by the Starlight Six, Greensky Bluegrass and The Crane Wives. (Photos, video)
Best Music of 2013: The Local Spins Lists
Michigan writers, musicians and readers offer their picks for the best albums and best songs of the past year, from Bradley to Beyonce to Bipolar Sunshine.
Mustard Plug ‘Can’t Contain’ excitement in holiday CD-release show for Grand Rapids fans
A happy, hefty and enthused Intersection throng greeted the Grand Rapids ska maestros who kicked out fan faves and new songs from the band’s “Can Contain It” album.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Bangups, The Verve Pipe, Foxy Shazam, Nathan Kalish, Lazy Genius: The Weekend Photo Gallery
Ah, that magical time between Christmas and New Year’s was filled with, well, rock ‘n’ roll, captured in images at Local Spins.
The Best of Local Spins: Raising the bar for under-paid West Michigan bands
This Local Spins column originally ran on Labor Day and generated more comments than any other story in 2013. So, do you know how little your favorite local musician or band is probably being paid?
Nathan Kalish’s tenacious, well-traveled rock: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Story, podcast, video)
The rootsy singer-songwriter is back in Michigan and back with The Wildfire, playing Rockford Brewing Friday. A European tour and new studio album lie ahead.
West Michigan Album Reviews: Root Doctor, Mustard Plug, The Howlers, An Dro, Afro Zuma, Glen Danles, The Star Darts
Just in the St. Nick of time for 11th-hour Christmas shopping, another batch of Local Spins reviews of albums by Michigan artists.
Pop Evil, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, Tyler Farr, Brian Lorente, Lazy Blue Tunas: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and the house was rocking around Grand Rapids, as evidenced by the photo and video roundup at Local Spins.
Best albums of 2013: Arcade Fire? Kanye West? Paul McCartney? Local Spins lets you decide
Submit your picks for 2013’s best albums and get a chance to win a gift card to a local brew pub — and the admiration of friends and Local Spins readers. And check out WYCE’s Jammie nominees for best local music.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The folk ‘n’ roll of Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Glen Danles: It’s all about ‘something good and positive to say’
More than a dozen years in the making, “the glendanles brand” album gets unveiled for the first time in Thursday night shows at Louie’s Bar & Rocket Lounge. (Podcast, video)
Lansing’s Brian Lorente eyes new album while delivering high-octane country: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Brian Lorente and his band, the Usual Suspects, open for country star Tyler Farr on Thursday night. (Podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Features
Pop Evil returns home to Grand Rapids, boasting Billboard’s No. 1 mainstream rock track for 2013
After scoring two No. 1 active rock singles from “Onyx,” the hard-rocking, hard-touring West Michigan band plays a homecoming show at The Intersection Friday with guest Michael Crittenden.
Breaking music news · Commentary
Deserving or Undeserving? The 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees
Fans can decide for themselves whether it’s a magna cum laude class, but Cat Stevens, Hall & Oates, Nirvana, KISS, Linda Ronstadt and Peter Gabriel make an intriguing mix of stars.
Nikki Hill, Decembersongs, Impact Band, Hildegard Singers, Mr. Gnome: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Check out images from a rocking weekend in West Michigan: From twists on Christmas music to retro strains that made folks forget about the bluster outdoors
Hank Mowery album finalist for international award; Outer Vibe battles roller girls in new video
The Outer Vibe rolls and gets rocked with “Princess of Sin,” while Mowery earns International Blues Challenge nod for “Account to Me.”
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Fauxgrass bassist upbeat after snowblower mangles fingers, threatens livelihood
Musicians rally to support Benzonia’s Tim McKay, who insists he’ll soon be back playing bass for the Grand Rapids bluegrass band, though his shoemaking business is on hold. See how you can help.
The vintage early ’60s vibe of The JetBeats: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Story, podcast)
The Grand Rapids trio channels The Cavern Club-era Beatles and early ’60s British beat bands with one rule of thumb: If it came after 1965, it doesn’t get played. (Podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Features
Red Tail Ring gets German love, Mustard Plug signs record deal, Frankie Ballard hits Top 20, Kris Hitchcock wins award
West Michigan acts continue to make a splash beyond the region, from Nashville to Europe. Get the lowdown in this Local Spins December music news update.
Thomas Rhett, Love Fossil, Kari Lynch, The Moonrays, Granger Smith: Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
The mercury plummeted outside but things heated up indoors on the live music front with hard rock, bluegrass, vintage rock, country and indie-dance music.
West Michigan Album Reviews: Phil Denny, Maybe Next Time, Lazy Genius, Gifts or Creatures
Starting with saxophonist Phil Denny’s holiday jazz gem, Local Spins’ Christmas shopping list of new releases includes Gifts or Creatures, Knight and Guild, Maybe Next Time and Lazy Genius.
The Verve Pipe’s Brian Vander Ark serenades younger set for new “Charlie & Company” videos
Grand Haven’s School Zone hopes its series might expand to broadcast TV. Vander Ark debuts songs from the show next Wednesday at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre.
The debut of the acoustic-based Brothers Still: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Story, podcast, video)
Three members of Grand Rapids’ Glean Infusion jam band have reunited to form a rootsy trio, with a new studio album already in the works. They play Rockford Brewing Thursday.
Grand Rapids alt-rock band The Static Affair crowned Battle of the Bands winner
Nine bands duked it out at Sunday’s finals at The Intersection. But another battle of the bands on Saturday at Billy’s Lounge was scrapped after four acts were no-shows.
Grandmaster Flash, Drew Nelson, John Mayer, An Dro: Local Spins Weekend Photos
John Mayer and Grandmaster Flash got the weekend started on the biggest bar night of the year and Drew Nelson closed it out with some Americana charm.
The new Local Spins era: A fresh look for the go-to website about West Michigan’s music scene
Welcome to the revamped Local Spins website, with a brighter, bolder way to offer the music news you want. And there’s more to come in 2014.
Grand Rapids heavy metal band Kamilla’s reunion: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
Bassist Mike Smith’s battle with melanoma has inspired creation of The Free and Clear Foundation, which will benefit from tonight’s ‘Black Friday’ reunion show at The Intersection.
John Mayer, Grandmaster Flash and the busiest bar night of 2013: Local Spins photos, review
The “Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving Day spirit” was evident everywhere across Grand Rapids on Wednesday night.
The Soil & The Sun go west, Star Darts hit target, Appleseed Collective heats ‘Pumpkin Pie’
The Thanksgiving edition of the Local Spins music news roundup is a real feast, with tasty nuggets about The Appleseed Collective, The Soil & The Sun and Star Darts.
Grand Rapids country singer Kari Lynch and band release elegant video filmed in Ada
Lynch says it was “thrilling” filming the band’s music video for “Nowhere Now,” a debut locally produced and filmed in a barn on a fan’s property. Kari Lynch might[…]
Sean Peay Hip-Hop Benefit, Testament, Chris Lawrence, Big Daddy Love: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
The Wine, Beer and Food Festival at DeVos Place drew thousands for taste-testing and tunes by a half-dozen West Michigan acts, but elsewhere fans also reveled in hip-hop.
JFK and The Beatles: Black-and-white memories of history-altering events (Local Spins Column)
Exactly 50 years ago, an assassin gunned down President John F. Kennedy, the same day that The Beatles released their second album. The world would never be the same again.
West Michigan Album Reviews: The Local Spins Fall Roundup, Take Two
New releases by Uncommon Road, Roger MacNaughton, Breathe Owl Breathe, Love Fossil, Don Middlebrook, Lazy Genius and Make No Heroes in this batch of fall Local Spins reviews.
Michigan singer-songwriter Sam Corbin: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (podcast, video)
A solo artist who also performs with Jen Sygit and the rootsy Americana band Lincoln County Process, Corbin is a vibrant product of Michigan’s folk music scene.
West Michigan Album Reviews: The Local Spins Fall Roundup, Take One
CD releases by West Michigan artists Kelsey Rottiers, Karisa Wilson, UV Hippo, The Impact Band, Roger Brown, Bowery, Steve Talaga
UV Hippo, Asking Alexandria, Bowery, Barrence Whitfield: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
Sun, rain, snow, falling leaves, wind, thunder, sleet. It’s that wacky time of year, and the same sort of wildly varying live music descended on West Michigan.
Breaking music news · Features
‘Give Till It Helps’: Grand Rapids’ Ralston Bowles and Bennett craft theme for 2013 Red Kettle campaign
The song by Bowles and the band Bennett debuted this morning. Fans can download it with a donation to the Salvation Army’s Christmas campaign; get the link here. Free Baker[…]
Grand Rapids rock band Bowery: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
With its effervescent, pop-tinged indie-rock, Bowery has hit the re-set button with a new lead singer and a new EP that gets released this week. (Podcast, video) Happenstance. Fate.[…]
Kris Hitchcock set to release new album; Crane Wives among few Michigan acts to play Ann Arbor Folk Fest; Sleigh Bells ring up Detroit
Local Spins’ November news update: Kalamazoo’s Hitchcock signs with Nashville booking agent, Crane Wives and Appleseed Collective get Ann Arbor Folk Fest love, and Local Spins’ Sleigh Bells concert photo[…]
Check it out: Kent District Library boosts local bands’ exposure with special ‘Local Indie @ KDL’ collection
Want your music preserved for posterity? West Michigan artists can submit CDs to the district library so patrons can literally check out their music. By Elizabeth Slowik LocalSpins.com The[…]
Living Colour, Steve Vai, Knock on Wood, Fresh Folk: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
A guitar god, a groundbreaking alt-metal band, some Michigan roots heroes, a bracing modern percussion trio, a garage rock legend and monstrous metal: All part of Local Spins’ image-laden roundup[…]
Troll for Trout, Rachael Davis, Dominic John get folky in a new way at St. Cecilia Music Center
Frustrating sound glitches aside, the opening night of St. Cecilia Music Center’s Fresh Folk series turned the tables on folk-rock and put a Nashville couple in the spotlight.
The hopeful alt-rock of Uncommon Road: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight
The award-winning Grand Rapids band unveils its debut EP recording with a full-blown rock concert production at Allegan’s Griswold Auditorium on Saturday. (Podcast, video) Uncommon Road guitarist Sean Louis[…]
Showcasing ‘Fresh Folk’ for a rapt audience: Rachael Davis and Dominic John launch series at St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday
The second year of St. Cecilia’s Fresh Folk series opens by spotlighting the Americana duo from Nashville and Grand Rapids’ own Troll for Trout in an unplugged setting. Win tickets[…]
Ragbirds, Sue Foley & Peter Karp, Ken Yates, Lamp Light Music Fest: The Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery
From nightclubs to a fine arts center to a listening room to Eastown basements, West Michigan bid adieu to October and hello to November in rocking fashion, captured in photos[…]
‘Nothing average about this’: Lamp Light Music Festival kicks off cozy concerts in Eastown homes
Friday night’s opening house concerts in three locations jammed living rooms and basements for sets by The Soil & The Sun, Lasso, Kellen & Me and more. (Photos, video) […]
The ‘dark folk’ and ‘psyched-out punk’ of Kalamazoo’s Fiona Dickinson: The Local Spins Artist Spotlight (Podcast, video)
Playing at this weekend’s Lamp Light Music Festival in Grand Rapids with Cobalt Mexican Wolves, the well-traveled British-born singer-songwriter finds camaraderie, inspiration in the Double Phelix collective of musicians. […]
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