With the duo playing Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge tonight, Local Spins introduces audiences to the new project while also debuting tracks by Full Cord, May Erlewine, Saxsquatch, Caitlin Cusack & more.
Covering a “Ton of Styles’: Stanley & Quiggle. (Courtesy Photo)
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They bonded over the indie-folk-rock of Boston’s Ballroom Thieves and were surprised to discover their mutual affection for the inventive, genre-spanning music of Illinois’ Andrew Bird.
“That was just kind of a sign that that was the music we wanted to make together,” guitarist and singer Owen Stanley said of meshing musically with mandolinist and keyboard player Jamie Quiggle.
“Indie-folk is one of those things where the chord structures are somewhat simple and it was just fun to play together that way. It didn’t take long before you could feel something was starting to form.”
Playing SpeakEZ Tonight: Stanley & Quiggle (Courtesy Photo)
Indeed, the Big Rapids duo of Stanley & Quiggle has since built on those influences and passions to write and record their first album of original material, with its anticipated release in early 2025. They’ll perform songs from that album, along with covers, during their debut performance at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge at 7:30 tonight (Friday).
Cementing their friendship at a 2019 church camp, Stanley (who’s originally from Detroit before moving with his family to Remus) and Quiggle (who’s from Lowell but later relocated to Canadian Lakes) officially began performing as a duo early this year. Both were raised in musical families, with Quiggle noting “it’s always kind of been a big portion of our lives.”
Leaning on other influences such as The Milk Carton Kids, Wilco, The Beatles and Gregory Alan Isakov, their debut album, “In All of This,” being released on White Elephant Records reflects the duo’s dedication to their music in spite of life’s “chaos” and changes.
“It covers a ton of styles,” suggested Stanley. “We value variety and it’s an accurate representation of what the past two years have been like in our friendship.”
Primarily recorded in the Ferris State University recording studio with some instruments tracked at Sylvester Community Church, the duo also describes the 13-song album as “very dynamic in nature. From high-energy songs with light-hearted lyrics, to slower emotionally rich songs with drawn-out melodies.”
Hitting the Road: After releasing their debut album, the duo hopes to tour in 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
They’ve honed their sound via live performances over the past several months. Following tonight’s appearance at SpeakEZ Lounge, they’ll play Open Road Brewery in Wayland on Dec. 18 and Stone House Vineyards in Evart on Dec. 20.
“Lately, we have been doing a lot of covers,” Stanley said. “We just keep it high-energy. There are certain rooms that allow us to really capture an audience. It depends on the room. We’re really good at adapting and we’re prepared for any situation, really. But we always try to throw some original music in there.”
Eager to expand the audience for their music while promoting their debut album, the duo also plans to mount Stanley & Quiggle’s first summer tour in 2025.
For this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, the duo debuted two tracks from the upcoming album – “All Things Must Pass” and “In the Morning.”
Listen to the interview and songs below as part of the Dec. 13 podcast that also features new tracks by Michigan artists Saxsquatch & Bridge Band, Caitlin Cusack, Stalagmite, Normal Mode, May Erlewine and Cold Leather Seats (the musicians’ pick of the day by Stanley & Quiggle), as well as fresh holiday releases by Full Cord, MaRynn Taylor, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and Light Speed Engine.
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (12/13/24)
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