Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The Michigander and legendary Motown artist brings his “Sing Your Song As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour to Van Andel Arena Wednesday. Warm up with this Local Spins playlist of Stevie Wonder classics.
Local Spins showcases several imaginative, boundary-pushing releases by Michigan artists in this week’s album-review roundup, which includes a collaborative project featuring Joey Gados Jr., Ben Steer and Noah Mercil.
From a Detroit rock icon to a rising Grand Rapids indie-pop duo to a veteran bluesman, this Local Spins roundup of Michigan releases digs into some enticing 2024 releases by regional artists. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from each release.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
As fall settles in, Local Spins turns its attention to new releases by Michigan artists. Check out reviews of six recordings, including The Brothers Crunch and Quilter, and listen to tracks from each release.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins Rewind · Upcoming shows · Videos
Major Murphy plays its first Grand Rapids show in nearly a year tonight at SpeakEZ Lounge after releasing a new studio album this summer. Get the show details and roster of special guests, along with a Local Spins Rewind summer interview and podcast.
Audio · Hot Top 5 · Playlists · Upcoming shows
The sibling duo’s “Low Low” came in just ahead of the latest release from Americana’s The Michigan Rattlers. Check out the full chart and listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Writer Ryan McCahill provides his take on the virtuoso bluegrass guitarist’s new double-album as Billy Strings celebrates fatherhood and prepares to play two nights at Michigan’s Pine Knob. Check out the review, listen to a track from the new release.
Audio · Commentary · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Tonight at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge, Local Spins celebrates two major Fab Four milestones with a performance by That Beatles Thing. Get details and listen to a special playlist at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Grand Rapids musician, artist and Mexicains Sans Frontieres curator reveals the albums and artists that influenced him most, from the obscure to the legendary. Check out his picks.
Audio · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The festival at Muskegon’s Heritage Landing celebrates its 25th anniversary starting Thursday with a host of international stars and regional favorites. The preview, schedule ad playlist at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The up-and-coming jazz fusion outfit topped Earth Radio and other regional favorites to top the August chart at WYCE (88.1 FM). Learn more about the band and listen to tracks from all the releases.
Today’s Local Spins on WYCE broadcast marks a full decade of the show that spotlights local and regional music — a program that’s showcased more than 6,000 songs by Michigan artists. Listen to this week’s special radio show podcast.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
The West Michigan tunesmith of Chain of Lakes who also leads a songwriters’ group reveals the recordings that have influenced him the most over the years.
Audio · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
Local Spins’ ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’ columnist Todd Ernst unveils must-see festival sets and his pro users’ guide as ARC celebrates 40 years of house music in its birthplace.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Playlists
The Grand Rapids producer’s latest, globally inspired concept album topped all regional albums on the July chart. See what other Michigan artists made the chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Michigan’s thriving music scene has spawned another intriguing volley of new releases reviewed at Local Spins, including fresh recordings from Josiah DeNooyer and Rabbit Fur. Learn more about these releases and listen to tracks from the albums.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
In less than three weeks, the bluegrass guitar phenom’s live album has racked up more than 1.1 million listens on Spotify and soared to No. 1 on the Bluegrass Chart. Check out the review, listen to tracks from this popular release by the Michigan-bred superstar.
The pair topped the 2024 New Moon Songwriting Challenge – which required artists to collaborate – with a young Traverse City duo coming in second. Learn more about the contest and listen to the winning songs at Local Spins.
Throngs of country music fans will flock to Jackson County for a weekend country music extravaganza starring Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and more. The Local Spins guide to Faster Horses.
The Kalamazoo musician’s latest album has been embraced by WYCE programmers and radio listeners, with up-and-coming band Money Soup making its chart debut at No. 2. See who else made the chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Local Spins crisscrosses the state and traverse genres with this latest batch of releases by Michigan, including albums by Bruce Matthews Band and The Whiskey Charmers. Listen to tracks from all of the album and see where many of these artists will be performing this summer.
Audio · Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
One of Michigan’s longest-running music festivals will have plenty of folks pickin’ and grinnin’ this weekend at Eaton County Fairgrounds. Local Spins has your festival guide.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This late May round-up of Local Spins’ takes on new releases by a half-dozen Michigan artists also includes The Heiden Underground and The Soods. Listen to tracks from each release and find out where some of these bands are performing in coming weeks and months.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, the popular Local Spins series showcases recordings that influenced respected Grand Rapids producer and engineer Al McAvoy, from Asia to Depeche Mode. Listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
With upcoming May shows, the respected Grand Rapids hip-hop artist continues to expand his audience and his repertoire. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight and one of his recent music videos.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
The executive director of Bay Harbor’s Great Lakes Center for the Arts — a one-time singer and actor — reveals the artists and albums that have influenced him most. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings at Local Spins.
This early May round-up of Michigan releases features new projects from DuPont Phillips and Elroy Meltzer, along with fresh recordings by some up-and-coming West Michigan bands. Read the reviews, listen to tracks from these releases.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Emerging Artists to Watch
The classically trained, Marshall-based pianist and songwriter on Friday released her first full-length album, “Plainsong.” The back story on this emerging Michigan artist to watch.
Much of the country will be mesmerized by Monday’s solar eclipse, so we’ve created a sun-splashed soundtrack for the occasion. Plus, check out the celestial picks from Local Spins readers.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With the much-anticipated announcement of the Meijer Gardens summer concert series just a week away, communications director John VanderHaagen reveals recordings that have shaped him.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Today, Local Spins reveals the albums that have greatly influenced guitarist and songwriter Graham Young from Petoskey’s Michigan Rattlers. Check out — and listen to — his picks.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This month’s round-up recapping new Michigan releases also takes a sneak peek into recordings by Laddermatch, Ryan Lynch and The J Hawkins Band. Plus, listen to tracks from all of the releases
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Our preview of Friday’s mammoth WYCE Jammie Awards focuses on several emerging acts who’ve never played the event. Learn more about these bands, listen to their music and check out the complete performance schedule.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Tommy James, R.E.M. and Bruce Springsteen have shaped multi-instrumentalist and studio owner Greg Baxter, today’s featured artist in our popular series. Learn more about Baxter and check out his album picks at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
This week’s edition of “Albums That Changed the World” focuses on the artists and recordings that influenced the West Michigan frontman for Irish folk favorites the Conklin Ceili Band. Learn more about Mick Lane and listen to tracks from his favorite albums.
The award-winning group soared to the top of the chart for the first time with “Can You Hear It?” Learn more about the band and view the rest of the albums which landed in the Top 5 for January.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
For three decades, the Royal Oak tunesmith has hosted Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters in northern Michigan, creating a beloved annual event embraced by musicians. And he’s still releasing his own music, too. Learn more about the retreat and listen to his music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ “Three Albums That Changed the World” series features Prof. Paul Kwant, a guitarist who runs FSU’s Music & Entertainment Business Program. Check out — and listen to — his fun, guitar-driven rock picks and learn more about Ferris’ music business education track.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids singer will perform with Karen Albert and Lucy Finkel on Friday for ‘So You Think You Don’t Like Opera’ as part of the Music in the Heights series. Learn more about her at Local Spins.
This mid-January round-up of Michigan albums also features Local Spins takes on a special re-release from Overdrive Orchestra as well as an ‘esoteric’ collection from Kalamazoo’s Handturner. Listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, Local Spins’ popular series exploring the recordings that have impacted musicians, celebrities and various leaders spotlights the Michigan governor’s picks — and Great Lakes State artists play a starring role. Check out her picks and listen to the tracks at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, the Local Spins series reveals the recordings and artists that inspired northern Michigan trombonist Chris Glassman, from Leonard Bernstein to Steve Davis to Rodney Whitaker. Listen to tracks from all of the albums, plus a couple songs of his own.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
2024’s first roundup of Michigan releases at Local Spins ranges from singer-songwriter charm to hip hop glory to funk to rock fervor, from Southeast Michigan’s Annie & Rod Capps to Holland’s Lost Magic. Check out the reviews; listen to the music.
Albums that Changed the World · Artist Spotlights · Audio
Local Spins kicks off the 2024 edition of its popular ‘Albums That Changed the World’ series with a look at the recordings that inspired the renowned Kalamazoo saxophonist. Check out his picks; listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The popular singer’s latest album topped an all-new December chart of Michigan releases which also included debuts by Short Panic, Space Bar, LVRS and Ben Traverse & Nick Veine. View the chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
Releasing her first album since 2015, the singer-songwriter was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by several other Michigan artists, including Wuzee & Dusty Fingerz, Abe Savas, Nathan Walton, Radio Vision and more, along with holiday songs by Seth Bernard and Don Benson.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
In place of our usual ‘Amplified’ newsletter this Thursday, we present Phase 2 of our look back at the best music and concerts of 2023. Check out another round of critics’ picks and listen to music from the releases in this year-end roundup.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
Music of every ilk burst out of the gates in early 2023 and never stopped turning heads. Today, the first round of Local Spins writers reveal picks for the best albums and concerts of the year, from international stars such as Paramore to local faves like Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers.
The all-new Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart for November also features new albums from Free Hat, Full Cord, Liz Townsend and Roosevelt Diggs. Listen to tracks from all the releases.
So a certain much-ballyhooed rivalry game closes out the regular Big 10 season today in Ann Arbor. Local Spins kicks it off with a pre-show battle of songs about Michigan and Ohio. View the musical skirmish and listen to the tracks.
