Category: Artist Spotlights

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Kalamazoo’s Darcy Wilkin relishes finally getting her Americana gems ‘out into the world’

  • June 19, 2020

The longtime member of The Corn Fed Girls talked about her solo debut for Local Spins on WYCE and performed a couple of new songs for the radio show, which also premiered tracks by Seth Bernard, .shi (John Conrad Schaak), Glen Danles, Aaron James Wright, Brian Lybrandt, Barrel Bones and other Michigan artists. Learn more about Wilkin and listen to the radio show podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

A long and winding road of story songs: Nicholas James Thomasma’s ‘Rolling Home’

  • May 30, 2020

The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter rolled out his latest gems for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Gasoline Gypsies, Lipstick Jodi, Adam Main, Jess, Darcy Wilkin and more. Learn more about Thomasma’s new album, watch a video of his performance and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Treeskin album lets Michael Dause get ‘more personal’ and ‘elicit a feeling of hope’

  • May 23, 2020

The Accidentals’ drummer featured his new solo release for this week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Jake Kershaw, Sweet Water Warblers, Matt McCalpin, Political Lizard, The Waverlys, The Whiskey Charmers and more. Get the Treeskin back story and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Michigan guitar hero Jake Kershaw moves beyond blues-rock with new tunes

  • April 24, 2020

Although he doesn’t want to “lose the blues,” the 19-year-old Kershaw showed off another side to his music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by several Michigan artists, including Desmond Jones, Chris DuPont, Dawning, Chris Canas, Vagabonds, Justin Wierenga and more. Learn more about Kershaw, watch a video of him performing a new song and listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos

How ‘American Idol’ inspired a ‘cannon of a voice’: Nathan Walton reflects on Hollywood

  • March 29, 2020

After multiple rounds of auditions, the Byron Center singer — “a guy with long hair that likes to belt” — went to Hollywood as a contestant on America’s most well-known music competition, and got a brief brush with the national TV spotlight before being sent home. The story of 27-year-old West Michigan singer-songwriter Nathan Walton’s journey through “American Idol.”

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Aspen Jacobsen’s ‘old soul’ indie-folk with a ‘fresh outlook’: Local Spins on WYCE

  • February 22, 2020

The 15-year-old Michigan singer with a big voice and a bright future played this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Lady & Gentleman, Pretoria, Singing Lungs, Dennie Middleton, Cameron Blake, Mark Harrell and Deerfield Run. Watch the in-studio video, listen to the full radio show podcast and learn more about the up-and-coming Jacobsen.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Jack Droppers seeks regional acts for Calvin University’s first ‘Local Showcase’

  • February 8, 2020

The singer-songwriter and new Calvin SAO director announced the call out for local bands during Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Political Lizard, Wuzee, Outer Vibe, Treeskin, The Ryne Experience, PHABIES, Overdrive Orchestra, Darcy Wilkin and more. Get details on Calvin’s showcase, listen to the radio show podcast, watch the in-studio video and browse a photo gallery from Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions’ Friday night concert at Listening Room.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Harper & Midwest Kind ready to ‘Rise Up’ with rootsy, uplifting new album

  • January 24, 2020

Based in Grass Lake, Mich., the Australian native and his band fired up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by The War & Treaty, Nicholas James Thomasma, Slumlord Radio, ttypes, Biiko, James Lewis, Drinking Mercury and more. Learn more about Harper, watch the in-studio video and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Michigan’s ‘hillbilly Ramones’: Ernie Clark & The Magnificent Bastards’ rock w/ country soul

  • January 17, 2020

The band led by a Reed City-area singer-guitarist just released its debut album and stopped by Local Spins on WYCE on Friday, which also debuted new music by Cousin Avery, Max Lockwood, Leland Blue, Pack Sounds and more. Listen to this week’s podcast, watch the in-studio video and read the back story about Clark and company.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Memphis-bound, Tomas Esparza Blues Band churns out Chicago blues with a Mexican flair

  • January 4, 2020

Heading to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge later this month, the GR band this week played Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Hacky Turtles, Overdrive Orchestra, Via Mardot, The Autumnatic, Birdie Country and more. Watch the in-studio video, listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows

Billy Strings, The Accidentals cope with anxiety, stardom, grueling rigors of the road

  • December 30, 2019

Maintaining mental health and dealing with “a lot of pressure” represent real challenges for touring musicians, especially road warriors such as The Accidentals and Billy Strings, who plays a sold-out New Year’s Eve show in Grand Rapids. In Part II of its interview with Billy Strings, Local Spins delves into the issues that have become a growing concern for many bands.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Grand Rapids’ Elijah Russ Collective fuses genres for fetching ‘heavy soul rock’

  • December 27, 2019

Elijah Russ performed for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by Myron Elkins, Drinking Mercury, Feeding Grizzlies, The First Coalition, ADABOY and more. Watch the in-studio video, listen to the radio show podcast and read the back story on this Grand Haven-bred musician who plays two concerts Friday night.

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  • Upcoming Shows Hosted by Local Spins

    11am FRIDAY Aug. 7 (Repeated on Interlochen Public Radio at 7pm SATURDAY) – Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase on WYCE 88.1 FM: Bluejay

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    11am FRIDAY Aug. 28 (Repeated on Interlochen Public Radio at 7pm SATURDAY) – Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase on WYCE 88.1 FM: TBA

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