The first batch of regional releases reviewed at Local Spins in 2020 boasts a wild mix of music from an eclectic bunch of Michigan artists. Read the reviews, listen to the music, learn more about the featured acts.
Local Spins presents another December roundup of new releases by Michigan artists — from rock to Americana to blues and more — with audio samples from all of them.
With December’s holidays fast approaching, here’s a Local Spins roundup of recent Michigan releases that make perfect stocking stuffers — and just plain satisfying listening. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from each of the featured albums.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Fall brings with it some frightfully good new regional music, including the latest from Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings, a popular hip hop collective, fetching fiddle music and scary-cool Halloween gems. Check out the reviews, sample the new music at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Features · Videos
Michigan’s leading folk-singer activist this week mounts a Michigan tour behind a powerful and political new album. The Local Spins interview, with review of the new album and a new video for the single, “Whole Again.”
Album reviews · Audio · Podcasts
From established stars (May Erlewine) to up-and-coming Grand Rapids acts (Patty PerShayla, The Skinny Limbs), this month’s edition of Local Spins on ‘Stateside’ showcased some Michigan-bred music that’s begging to be heard. Listen to the podcast and interview, check out songs from the featured artists.
This mid-September sampling of new local and regional releases offers everything from boundary-pushing folk-punk to socially conscious hip hop. Check out the reviews and listen to the music, exclusively at Local Spins.
This mid-September round-up of new regional releases spans several genres in fetching fashion with bands based in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Check out the reviews, see where you can see the artists live and listen to their music at Local Spins.
The first batch of Local Spins album reviews for August features a popular jam band, a hard-rock fave, an up-and-coming hip hop artist and a bluegrass gem. Check out the latest round-up of new releases and listen to songs from each of the featured albums.
The late-July roundup of new releases by local and regional artists covers the gamut of styles and genres. Check out the reviews, audio samples and upcoming performance dates at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
From pop to rock to funk to electronic charm, this late May roundup of West Michigan album releases covers the gamut. Check out the reviews and listen to the music at Local Spins — and find out where you can catch these artists performing live.
Local Spins kicks off May with another roundup of releases by local and regional acts, from Grand Rapids to Petoskey to Kalamazoo. Check out the reviews and listen to songs from each artist.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Traverse City band releases its new live project Thursday in Kalamazoo, with a tour of the United Kingdom to follow. Learn more about the trio’s hectic year, and check out Local Spins’ review of the new album.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This late March roundup and recap of Michigan releases takes a look at The Go Rounds’ much-anticipated upcoming album along with four other fetching, genre-busting recordings. Check out the reviews, listen to the new music.
Explore some of the latest regional releases, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists and revel in a Local Spins exclusive: a sneak peek into the full new album by Grand Rapids’ The Soods prior to its official release.
This February roundup of releases by Michigan artists also takes a look at new recordings by Andrew Saliba, Kaitlyn Zittel and The Aquaerials. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
With elements of intoxicating pop and airy vocals, Max Lockwood’s sophomore solo recording officially gets released Friday night at The Pyramid Scheme with the singer-songwriter backed by an all-star band. Get the story behind this project and watch videos for two of Lockwood’s new songs.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Check out the latest batch of Michigan releases being showcased at Local Spins — from high-profile acts to under-the-radar artists — and sample tracks from the featured albums, including recordings by Blueflowers and The Dead Shepherds.
Album reviews · Upcoming shows
The mid-January roundup of releases features the brand new, long-awaited full-length debut by Melophobix and five other Michigan gems. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists.
This Local Spins roundup of albums recorded in Michigan has a cross-state, inter-state and international flavor – and covers a lot of territory musically, too. Read the reviews, listen to music from the featured artists.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
Local Spins’ second batch of November reviews of regional album releases covers a lot of musical territory from hip hop to hard rock to ’60s sizzle to boundary-pushing jazz. Get the lowdown on new Michigan releases and preview music from the recordings.
This mid-November roundup of Michigan releases boasts a Petoskey-bred band’s full-length debut, plus gems from Conrad Shock, Roosevelt Diggs, Elizabeth Landry and Brotha James, who plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight (Wednesday). Check out the Local Spins reviews, listen to music from the featured artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Podcasts
November elections dominated the news, but this month’s Local Spins segment on “Stateside” was all about groovy new music from Grand Rapids’ Conrad Shock + The Noise and Brother Elsey, and Kalamazoo’s Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts. Read about the bands, listen to the podcast and check out full versions of the group’s new songs.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Videos
With Greta Van Fleet’s first full-length album soaring straight to No. 3 on the charts, Local Spins reviews — and defends — the release, plus takes a closer look at three other new regional recordings. Read the reviews, sample the new music.
The October edition of Local Spins on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from a diverse set of Grand Rapids artists: Big Dudee Roo, Steven Malcolm and Ford Turrell. Listen to their music, read their back story.
Local Spins’ September roundup of recent releases hones in on War and Treaty’s “Healing Tide,” Seth Bernard’s final Eggtones installment, Red Legs sophomore effort, Pack Sounds debut LP and Chris Cranick’s latest work. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Local Spins’ first batch of July releases covers a broad range of Michigan artists, from prog-pop to jazz to jamgrass to rock ‘n’ roll. Read the reviews, listen to samples of the music, find out where these bands are playing.
Album reviews · RSVP Music Chat · Videos
RSVP Music Chat sat down with Michigander for an in-depth and upbeat conversation about his music, his touring, his quest as a career artist, his favorite coffee and why it isn’t “Michiganian” or “Dad Jokes.” Listen to the podcast, read a review of Michigander’s new EP.
On the eve of Jack White’s buzzed-about Grand Rapids show, the Local Spins “countdown” assesses his bold new album, along with regional releases by a diverse mix of Michigan artists. Read the reviews, listen to audio samples from the albums.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Get an earful of compelling music in this April round-up of new releases by local and regional artists, featuring a mix of genres from folk to hip hop to hard rock to bluegrass to indie-rock to R&B. And listen to tracks from the new albums along with some select videos.
Album reviews · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
Local Spins’ April segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” focused on a single from folk-rock’s The Crane Wives submitted to the Tiny Desk contest, plus a new live country album by The Bootstrap Boys and new studio album from indie-folk’s Chain of Lakes. Listen to the podcast at Local Spins.
The March roundup of new regional releases boasts a mix of styles: rock, folk, outlaw country, funk, soul, jazz and fusion music. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Album reviews · Local Spins Live · Podcasts
Local Spins’ March segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” unveiled new releases from veteran, road-tested and emerging artists. Listen to the podcast and get details about all of the featured acts.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The West Michigan super-group plans an ambitious ‘immersive experience’ for its release show at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre on Saturday. Learn the back story of this unusual project and read the Local Spins review of the new album.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
With Børns playing a homecoming show tonight, Local Spins probes his new studio album, along with new releases by Eminem, Cabildo, The Devil’s Cut, Ttypes and Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions. Read the reviews, listen to audio samples.
Album reviews · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Kendrick Lamar, Billy Strings, The National, Perfume Genius, Jaco Pastorius, The Accidentals, The Turnips, Organissimo, May Erlewine, LCD Soundsystem and more earned high marks from Local Spins writers. See who else made the grade in 2017 and listen to samples of music from dozens of releases that turned critics’ heads. Plus, see which concerts stood out this past year.
This pre-Christmas batch of regional releases covers a lot of ground, with some much-anticipated new albums in the mix. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
The holidays are the perfect time to round up some of the latest releases by Michigan artists, spotlighting albums you can add to your gift lists. Check out the reviews, with audio samples of the new music.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Traverse City singer-songwriter and ‘Voice’ star has released the Steve Berlin-produced ‘The Way Back Home’ and will play The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Saturday. He appears for Local Spins on WYCE 88.1 FM at 11 a.m. Friday. Check out a review of his new album and listen to new songs.
This November batch of recent regional releases will make many folks thankful for Michigan’s music scene. Check out the reviews and listen to the music. Then stay tuned for Part II later this monrth.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a new batch of lilting songs about the Great Lakes Basin, the indie-folk duo is set to perform in its new hometown of Kalamazoo and play Grand Rapids’ Lamp Light Music Festival in coming weeks. Discover the back story about this musical couple and watch a video of the first single from their new album.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
This October round-up of new regional releases covers the musical gamut, from prog-rock to jam bands to indie-rock and more. Check out the reviews, listen to samples of the new music at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The Traverse City singer-songwriter and ‘Voice’ star has released the Steve Berlin-produced ‘The Way Back Home’ and will now play several Michigan dates, including Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The Local Spins interview and album review.
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.
Album reviews · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The War & Treaty’s debut EP topped July’s Hot Top 5 for WYCE airplay, with Crane Wives drummer Dan Rickabus’ solo CD right behind. Check out a review of that album and other new Michigan releases.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Kalamazoo
The band with roots at Western Michigan University revels in ‘creative freedom’ as it churns out distinctive jazz fusion and soul. Read the Local Spins review of the “Nebulushh” EP, listen to tracks by the up-and-coming band.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
opping the early August batch of new releases is the Sony Music Masterworks debut for a popular Traverse City trio, plus fresh recordings from an eclectic bunch of West Michigan artists. Check out the reviews, listen to samples of the new music.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming Album Releases · Upcoming shows
Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, Big Dudee Roo and Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish play outside HopCat Grand Rapids late Sunday afternoon, following the HopCat Extra Time 5K Race. The Local Spins CD featuring tracks by 12 West Michigan artists is available digitally online today, with physical copies available at Sunday’s event.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
With roots in Big Rapids — and links to Ultraviolet Hippopotamus – the Michigan band is happily touring behind its sophomore studio album and embracing its eclectic approach. Read the story and album review, listen to the radio podcast, watch the video.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
This Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and podcast first ran at Local Spins in January. Since then, the band has released another album (which is reviewed here) and will play The Intersection with Mustard Plug on Dec. 29. I Believe in Julio is also the featured band for February in the 2017 Local Spins Calendar.
