Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows

Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings exploring solo and side projects; plays special SpeakEZ Lounge show with Mark Lavengood

• October 7, 2015

With the Billy Strings & Don Julin duo starting to “pull back” from performing quite as much, the Ionia-bred guitarist is writing songs and reveling in jams with other musical pals. He’s performing several times in Grand Rapids this week, including an early evening show at SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday. Read the story, check out the video.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

Indie-folk’s Chris DuPont and his inspiring musical quest: ‘Grappling with chaos, emerging with hope’

• September 29, 2015

The Michigan singer-songwriter with roots in Grand Rapids brings his new “Outlier” album to SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday, with a Midwest and East Coast tour on tap. Read the story behind this emerging indie-folk artist and listen to a song from the new album.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

Desmond Jones making splash and stirring fun with genre-melding, jam-band charm

• September 26, 2015

Relocating recently from East Lansing, the band now plays every Monday night at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, reveling in West Michigan’s fast-growing and collaborative jam-band scene. Check out the video and WYCE radio podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

Thunderbolt & Lightfoot: Old-school, harmony-drenched indie-folk duo from Kalamazoo turning heads and ears

• September 14, 2015

Phil Barry and Sarah Fuerst, members of The Corn Fed Girls, are working on a full-length album and will bring their new duo to Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday. Read the story about this talented duo and check out the video of a harmony-laden in-studio performance for Local Spins on WYCE.

Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Upcoming shows

Bangups record new rock album with Steve Albini, add two band members and find a fourth chord

• September 2, 2015

The ferocious Grand Rapids garage-rock duo is now performing as a foursome, itching to unleash its ‘fantastic’ new studio album and ready to tour the land. The Bangups play Founders on Saturday.

Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos

Grand Rapids’ LOUIS making waves in Chicago and beyond with hip hop, pop and rock

• September 2, 2015

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter who grew up on the West Side has generated a major buzz for his recent single and video, with more to come as he works with a Grammy-winning recording engineer in the Windy City. Check out the video for his first single.

Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos

The Crane Wives find triumph after ‘paradigm shift’: The Local Spins Live at River City Studios session (Video, podcast)

• August 28, 2015

With release of a new album Saturday at Founders Brewing, the Grand Rapids folk-rock band is poised to build a national audience and live the dream. Check out the story and the exclusive in-studio performance via video and podcast. Consider it a sneak preview of Saturday’s show.

Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

Jimmie Stagger finds musical re-birth, joy with new album, new attitude, new energy

• August 18, 2015

The legendary Grand Rapids bluesman rededicates himself to music and celebrates release of his first studio recording in 14 years on Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge. Read the Local Spins review of the album, check out the back story about the guitarist’s renewed confidence and listen to one of the new songs.

Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows

West Michigan’s Pop Evil soars to global success, looks “UP” with new CD set for release in Grand Rapids

• August 17, 2015

The chart-topping rockers unleash their new album at The Intersection’s “Rock the Lot” on Friday and recently released “Ghost of Muskegon” single in a hometown nod. Read about the band’s hard-gigging journey and watch the video for “Footsteps.”

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Olivia Mainville set to release new album; forms The Aquatic Troupe to tour behind her eclectic folk music

• August 14, 2015

The 50th edition of Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted the Holland singer-songwriter who’s had a fun and turbulent year. Read the story about this talented teen and listen to the radio podcast featuring her band’s in-studio performance.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

Oliver Houston: Fun, emotive, indie-punk music with a rambunctious live attitude

• July 29, 2015

The Grand Rapids foursome has operated under the radar for months, but by firing up the house concert and DIY scene, Oliver Houston is a name West Michigan fans are likely to soon know better. Read the story and check out a video from this up-and-coming band.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Local Spins on WYCE: Skankadank live, plus the premiere of tracks by Jimmie Stagger, Bennett, The Sailor Kicks

• July 24, 2015

Local Spins’ latest radio episode spotlighting regional music got soulfully skanky in-studio with Grand Rapids’ Skankadank and boasted a sneak peek into several new local albums. Listen to the entire podcast here.

Artist Spotlights · Summer Concerts · Videos

Fiery Grand Rapids electronic duo AOK signs with record label, will play Broomhead Fest and Traverse City Film Festival

• July 22, 2015

AOK’s signing with Hot Capicola Records opens door to a slew of projects, including music video debut for “The Life,” with a vinyl EP to be released and new album in the works. Read the story, check out the video and find out more about this weekend’s expanded Broomhead Art & Music Festival.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Saginaw’s Barbarossa Brothers shun sideman role in favor of own harmony-filled, Michigan-bred folk-rock (Story, podcast, video)

• July 17, 2015

Boasting a host of West Michigan connections, the lively Americana-hued trio just released an EP with an album’s worth of material still to come. Check out an exclusive video of a new song performed in the WYCE radio studio and listen to Friday’s entire Local Spins on WYCE show podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

Joshua Davis ‘coming home’ to Grand Rapids, riding ‘amazing’ wave of national exposure from ‘The Voice’

• July 9, 2015

Friday’s Fountain Street Church concert is one of several high-profile homecoming shows Davis and his band are playing this summer, with a new Davis recording in the offing and solo tours outside Michigan this fall. Read the Local Spins interview.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos

The ‘wicked sweet’ rock of The Legal Immigrants: Local Spins Artist Spotlight and Local Spins on WYCE

• July 3, 2015

The Grand Rapids band celebrates release of its new album on Saturday at Founders Brewing. But before that, the group fronted by Joe Bockheim stopped by WYCE to rock Studio X. Read the story, check out the video and listen to the full Local Spins on WYCE podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Nathan Kalish & The Lastcallers bring Midwest-styled country and ‘endless tour’ back to Grand Rapids for CD-release show

• July 2, 2015

The hard-gigging, honky-tonking country/rockabilly/Americana band plans to fire up Founders Brewing on Thursday night with songs from its new album before heading back on the road and into the recording studio for its next project. Read the story, watch the on-air studio performance, listen to the podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos

Gary Clark Jr. bassist Johnny Bradley recalls ‘great times’ cutting teeth as musician in Grand Rapids, proud to play with Clark

• June 23, 2015

Playing with West Michigan’s Junior Valentine and Hank Mowery in the ’90s helped set the stage for the Austin-based musician’s fortuitous relationship with Clark, who stops at Meijer Gardens Wednesday. Read the exclusive Local Spins interview with Bradley, who’s spent the past five years in Clark’s band.

Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows

Joshua and Lindsay Lou Rilko to wrap up ‘fresh’ Time & Luck mini-tour in Spring Lake on break from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys

• June 21, 2015

After returning from Scotland, the couple takes its folk/bluegrass duo project on the road, with plenty more Flatbellys travels on the horizon. Read the back story about Time & Luck and learn what’s next for The Flatbellys.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

Stovepipe Stover drums up busy music career with ‘one-man band contraption’ and lots of ‘weird stuff’

• June 16, 2015

Now based in Traverse City after years in Grand Rapids, Stover is recording a new studio album at Amber Lit Audio and literally writing ‘365 Songs for 365 People.’ He plays Elk Brewing on Thursday. Read the back story of this remarkable one-man band and watch a video of him playing his contraption.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows

Drummer Scott Pellegrom unleashes diverse ‘SuperNaturalBang’ with ‘mad scientist’ approach

• June 12, 2015

The renowned, in-demand Spring Lake percussionist who likes to ‘take risks, jump off the ledge and even be chaotic’ hosts a CD-release show at Founders Brewing on Saturday. Read the back story behind the drummer’s new recording.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Local Spins on WYCE: Psych-garage rock’s Heaters, plus new tracks by The Legal Immigrants, The Accidentals, more

• June 7, 2015

Psych/garage/surf rock’s Heaters kicked off the Local First Street Party, then plan to head to the East Coast. But first, they stopped by Local Spins on WYCE to play a brand new spacey song in Studio X and talk about their music. Check out the exclusive video of an unreleased new song and listen to the radio podcast, which features new material from The Legal Immigrants, The Accidentals and much more.

Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos

The Accidentals: Magical, ‘always evolving’ and poised for musical prosperity (Local Spins Live at River City Studios video, podcast)

• June 5, 2015

In another exclusive video performance and interview, Traverse City’s hottest trio talks about being on the road as minors, an upcoming new studio album and being ‘socially awkward.’ And check out in-studio performances of brand new unreleased songs.

Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos

Singer-songwriter Brett Mitchell thrives on the road, embraces northern Michigan’s vibrant music scene

• May 29, 2015

Playing Rockford Brewing tonight (Friday) with his band, the drummer and guitarist continues to churn out catchy pop-rock. Watch a video of a new song and listen to the radio podcast of Local Spins on WYCE No. 40 with the debut of new tracks by Peat in the Creel, Bong Mountain, Rochelle & The Spoilers and more.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows

The Fever Haze keeps it loud and fresh, with album-release show and Midwest tour on tap

• May 28, 2015

The Holland-area rock band unveils “Dear Fate” June 3 at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, aims to never play ‘the exact same show twice.’ Read the story and listen to a track from the upcoming new album.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Plain Jane Glory: Nothing plain about Muskegon duo’s striking, harmony-laden Americana

• May 21, 2015

Michael Boxer and Laura Crosswait, formerly known as Fiddleface, already have one album under their belts with another in the works. They play Rockford Brewing on Thursday night. Read the back story about this fast-emerging band and check out an exclusive video of a new song.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows

Ann Arbor’s Rootstand aims to get fans ‘dancing wildly’ with bluegrass-hued blend

• May 20, 2015

The band closes out this weekend’s Buses by the Beach benefit along Lake Michigan, with The Accidentals, Roosevelt Diggs and more also performing. Rootstand releases a new EP this summer, followed by “focused” touring. Read the Local Spins feature and see the full Bus Benefit lineup.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Holland’s Great Notion crafts original music to expand its Grateful Dead tribute act approach

• May 15, 2015

Headlining Saturday’s Bob Dylan Tribute show at Founders Brewing, the band with a Deadhead following also hopes to start recording a studio album of its own material later this year. Read the band profile, listen to the podcast and check out the photos at Local Spins.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Tom Hymn: Delivering ‘Early Magic’ as a captivating singer-songwriter

• May 7, 2015

The Grand Rapids drummer turned troubadour has gotten well-deserved attention for his solo work, with planning for another studio album under way. Read the story and check out the video and Local Spins Live radio podcast.

Artist Spotlights · Videos

Grand Rapids’ The Lippies set to take punk-fueled ‘music with a message’ to West Coast

• May 6, 2015

Inspired by Hayley Williams, singer Tonia Broucek fronts the fast-emerging pop-punk band that aims to release its first full-length album this summer. Read by the story by Nolan Krebs and check out the video of an acoustic performance by the band.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos

B-Side Growlers on a mission: Vintage folk, jazz and American roots music ‘to dance to’

• April 21, 2015

The Grand Rapids trio has ‘fun no matter what.’ The band known for its lively shows and story-telling plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night as part of the Local Spins Wednesdays series. Read the back story about the group and check out the video.

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows

Spinal Tap tribute Sext Farm ‘goes to 11,’ carries on satiric spirit of fabled faux rockers

• April 10, 2015

The Grand Rapids band led by satirist Cliff Frantz not only headlines Jake’s Music Festival at Wealthy Theatre Saturday but boasts, yes, 11 mockumentary episodes of its hijinx. Read the back story, get the full festival schedule and watch Sext Farm’s hilarious videos here.

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows

Indie-folk’s E Minor relishes supportive northern Michigan music scene while eyeing next studio album

• April 7, 2015

Raised in an ultra-musical family, the singer-songwriter with collaborative ties to Blake Elliott and The Accidentals plays the Grand Rapids area this week. Read the story and check out a video/podcast of her appearance on Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks from several West Michigan bands.

Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows

La Dispute credit DAAC roots for early rock success; ‘hometown heroes’ return for Grand Rapids show to support cause

• April 3, 2015

Update: The internationally acclaimed experimental post-hardcore band from Grand Rapids plays a sold-out show at The Pyramid Scheme on Tuesday night. Read the remarkable story about rock ‘n’ rollers with a mission.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Steve Rivers: Taking ‘really good ideas’ and turning them into captivating country songs

• March 26, 2015

The up-and-coming Grand Rapids country singer opens for Eric Paslay at The Intersection tonight, with a new album set for release this summer. Read the Local Spins interview, with Rivers’ take on songwriting, collaborating with other artists and performing across Michigan. (Story, podcast, video)

Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos

Fauxgrass ‘on the move’ with touring and work on new album a year after bassist’s devastating hand injury

• March 5, 2015

With a reshuffled lineup that includes fiddler Jeffrey Niemeier, Grand Rapids’ prog-bluegrass band is crisscrossing the state and the country, working in the studio and just released a new video. And bassist Tim McKay has adjusted to a new style of playing since mangling his hand in a snowblower.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

The ‘live feel’ of Grand Rapids electronic indie-pop band hi-ker: Local Spins Artist Spotlight

• February 19, 2015

With an intriguing blend of influences, from The Talking Heads to Animal Collective, the emerging West Michigan band whose debut EP was a Jammie Award finalist for best album by a new artist plays The Pyramid Scheme on Friday and is eyeing a follow-up album in 2015. (Video, podcast)

Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows

Singer-songwriter John Gorka returns to Michigan, stays inspired amid national folk music resurgence

• February 3, 2015

The Red House Records artist plays Muskegon, Lansing and Traverse City this week. After a three-decade-long career, he says he enjoys performing ‘as much if not more’ than ever. See ticket, show details.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows

Rebekah Rhys and Will Play for Food: Attacking childhood hunger with music

• January 29, 2015

Working for a Grand Rapids-based charity, the singer-songwriter has seen the dire needs first-hand. Rhys and Valentiger play The B.O.B.’s ‘Will Play for Food’ show to aid the cause tonight (Thursday). Check out the videos and podcast from Wednesday’s Local Spins Live radio show.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

‘Connecting emotionally’: From jazz to pop, Grand Haven singer Downie leans on all-star cast for intimate new album

• January 22, 2015

Downie’s CD-release show on Friday at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre will celebrate iconic female songwriters as well as original material from her third album. (Podcast, video)

Artist Spotlights · Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows

Bring Back the DAAC benefit spearheaded by Grand Rapids singer-songwriter who ‘just wants to give back to local art’

• January 3, 2015

Tonight’s four-band show at The Pyramid Scheme will also be a CD-release party for indie-rock’s JOE led by frontman and event organizer Joe Rodriguez. Brother Adams, Dead Eye Zack and Emma Loo & Sam are also on the bill.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Kate Johnson: At 15, Spring Lake singer-songwriter eyeing bright musical future after releasing first studio EP

• December 27, 2014

Mentored by veteran musician and producer Mark Lamm, the teen already has opened for a national act and is working on songs for a follow-up album. (Story, podcast, video)

Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts

Luke Winslow King brings vibrant New Orleans vibe to his native Michigan

• December 17, 2014

The acclaimed, Cadillac-bred singer-guitarist returns to Michigan where he cut his teeth. Read the back story about this celebrated artist and his journey.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Dale Wicks: Striving for compelling, thought-provoking songs

• December 11, 2014

The guitarist and singer has focused primarily on his solo career while performing across Michigan, but he’s eyeing a full-band project, too. (Story, video, podcast)

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

American WiFi: Crazy-good, pop-fueled rock from an up-and-coming band of best friends

• December 4, 2014

This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on a harmony-driven, young and happily ‘weird’ Grand Rapids band releasing its second EP at The Pyramid Scheme on Friday.

Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos

Traverse City phenoms Billy Strings and Don Julin wrap up tour with bluegrass legends as live album soars up charts

• November 17, 2014

In the Local Spins Artist Spotlight: The buzz about the fiery Michigan bluegrass duo keeps growing. They play northern Michigan this week, with December shows at Rockford Brewing and Founders Brewing.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Grand Rapids rock/pop band The Campanellis: Inspired by The Ramones and wired to write ‘catchy, fast songs’

• November 6, 2014

The fun-loving bunch plays two high-profile shows this week, starting with Founders Brewing tonight, and has its sights set on releasing its sophomore album next year. (Story, video, podcast)

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Grand Rapids jazz and soul singer Kathy Lamar: Captivating audiences with music ‘from the heart’

• October 30, 2014

With a new album on the way, the singer has re-established her music career in West Michigan after a long and successful run in Las Vegas. She plays One Trick Pony on Saturday night.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Marquette-area keyboard phenom Milo Birch: ‘Jaw-dropping’ melodic magic at age 10 (Story, video, podcast)

• October 23, 2014

The home-schooled Upper Peninsula 5th grader wows fans with his improvisational skills. He’s in the all-star lineup for St. Cecilia Music Center’s Acoustic Café Folk Series kickoff tonight.

Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos

Max Lockwood taps musical heroes for solo project: ‘Really beautiful things came out of it’

• October 16, 2014

The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter unveils “Outrider” at The Pyramid Scheme tonight with Seth Bernard, Dan Rickabus and “some really great friends.” (Story, video, podcast)