Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps, The Schrock Bros. and Loren Johnson round out the regional chart for July at WYCE-FM. Learn more and listen to tracks from all the releases at Local Spins.
Busy Summer: Whorled has made a splash with its debut album. (Courtesy Photo)
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For members of West Michigan instrumental world music trio Whorled, news that the band’s debut album had debuted at No. 2 on the Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart for July at WYCE-FM was not only pleasantly surprising, but a confirmation of the band’s unique and fetching musical direction.
“I could not be more thankful to have the feeling that for the music we are creating, we are seen and appreciated by the coolest radio station in the world,” said fiddler Keala Venema.
“I think having an interesting instrumentation helps the first impressions – for example, the accordion and didgeridoo – but I also would like to think that our non-traditionalist approach to mashing up cross-genre tunes with tight arrangements catches many a music appreciator’s ear. We’ve worked really hard … and we’re really excited to see that work pay off by being on the Hot Top 5.”
Indeed, Whorled’s “Reimagined” was one of four new entries by artists from Michigan which jumped into the Hot Top 5 last month, representing the local or regional releases that earned the most radio airplay at Grand Rapids’ WYCE (88.1 FM).
Just ahead of Whorled on the chart: Americana singer-songwriter Beth Bombara. The native of Jenison who now resides in St. Louis wasted little time shooting straight to No. 1 with her latest album, “It All Goes Up.” Check out last week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight on Bombara, which includes her latest music video.
Other charting artists shared Venema’s enthused reaction to the news.
“Hell, yeah, mother trucker!” exclaimed West Michigan native Patty PerShayla of the now-Nashville-based Mayhaps, whose new EP, “Perpetual Motion Machine,” soared to No. 3 right after its release.
“I’m really proud of the EP and I’m glad to know our hometown is still spinning our music. WYCE has been an integral part our journey.”
Mark Schrock of The Schrock Bros felt “elated” that the family band’s latest studio album, “Faith In Love,” debuted at No. 4. “Grateful to our fans and to WYCE for being there to showcase local artists,” he added.
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Loren Johnson, meanwhile, made the chart for the second month in a row with her latest release, “How to Change.” Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight on Johnson and her new album here.
For the award-winning Whorled, it’s just the latest milestone in a brief career with more to come.
The band plays the Sparta Celtic Festival on Aug. 11 and then collaborates with Ugandan musician and Kalamazoo-based artist Samuel Nalangira and percussionist Carolyn Koebel for an “Afro-Celt Odyssey” performance for the Tuesday Evening Music Club series at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Aug. 15. Other upcoming shows include appearances at Sounds of the Zoo, Earthwork Harvest Gathering and Music in the Heights.
“Once September ends, we’ll be hunkering down and getting some new musical ideas out,” Venema said.
Added Whorled accordionist Mariko Venema: “No boundaries and expanding our horizons.”
Whorled multi-instrumentalist Thom Jayne said he’s just grateful for the way the region has embraced the band’s music.
“Playing music with Whorled in this Grand Rapids area has really brought home to me how supportive the environment is here for local music,” he said.
THE LOCAL SPINS HOT TOP 5 PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY: July 2023
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