Our second January roundup of new albums and EPs by Michigan artists ranges from hip hop to jazzy indie-folk to rock, including Kings of Strings, Nathan K. and Big B & The Actual Proof. Listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
As the band carrying his moniker prepares to play Rockford Brewing Co. on Thursday, Local Spins asked the Grand Rapids guitarist to reveal the recordings that influenced him most. Listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Audio · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
After a hiatus of nearly three years due to COVID, the popular series will spotlight a wide spectrum of Michigan-based bands and solo artists twice a month. Check out the schedule, plus listen to music from some of the featured acts.
Audio · Features · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The soulful, Kalamazoo hip-hop ensemble soared to the top of the December chart, with several new Michigan entries right behind. See which albums made the latest Hot Top 5 Chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Local Spins kicks off the year by spotlighting yet another flurry of new releases by Michigan artists, including projects by Dana Nyson and The Heiden Underground. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
Audio · Best Music of the Year · Videos
Amid another turbulent and hectic year, recorded and live music made a huge comeback. Today, Local Spins writers reveal their picks for the best of both in 2022. Check out the robust roster of notable releases and concerts and listen to select tracks in this special feature being published today in lieu of our usual Thursday ‘Amplified’ newsletter.
Audio · Photos · Top 12 Stories Countdown
The countdown of Local Spins’ most-read stories of 2022 begins today with our coverage of Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings at No. 12. Ogle a photo gallery and see what stories came in just behind that in our year-end countdown.
With Christmas just ahead, we review six new Michigan releases you might want to add to your shopping list, including fresh collections from Silver Creek Revival and The Dangling Participles. Delve into the recordings and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The singer and keyboard player recently released ‘Stories We Told Along the Way,’ recorded in Kalamazoo with a who’s who lineup of Michigan musicians. Story, video and more at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Upcoming shows
Today, the popular Local Spins series revealing the recordings that have impacted Michigan musicians the most continues with popular, award-winning singer-songwriter Joshua Davis. Listen to tracks from all of his picks.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Today, the popular Local Spins series revealing albums that have impacted Michigan musicians continues with Scott and Molly Schultz. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings, along with Molly’s new single and video.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Raised in Ionia County’s rural Muir, Billy Strings embraces the traditions he grew up with, featuring duets with his stepfather, Terry Barber, on his latest Rounder Records releases. The review at Local Spins.
Audio · Concert announcements · Upcoming shows
It’s a singer-songwriter double-header this Sunday: ArtRat’s first show featuring Darcy Wilkin precedes the evening return of ‘Songtellers’ at Midtown. Get the details and upcoming schedule at Local Spins.
This pre-Thanksgiving round-up of new releases by West Michigan artists also features Lisa Can’t Sing and The Good Old Days. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Touring behind “Powerful,” their first album since 2015, the Michigan band led by Dede Alder plays Midtown in Grand Rapids tonight. Get the back story and listen to a track from the release.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Lansing’s Heartsick has long electrified Michigan fans with its melodic hardcore. Today, singer Alfonso Civile reveals the recordings that have impacted him the most. Get his back story and listen to tracks from all of his picks at Local Spins.
The early November round-up of Michigan releases not only covers a wide swath of genres, but artists from Grand Rapids to the Detroit area to Petoskey. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
New releases by the West Michigan artists joined recordings by Djangophonique and Ficus as the most-played local/regional releases at WYCE (88.1 FM) in October. Listen to tracks from all of the charted releases at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Serita’s Black Rose duo is the latest set of West Michigan artists to reveal the recordings that have most influenced them over the years. Listen to their picks at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The frontman for Michigan’s Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers boasts a fascinating set of musical influences and a surprising current favorite. Check out his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
This mid-October round-up of new Michigan releases includes creepy pre-Halloween fun and singer-songwriter charm from the Upper Peninsula’s Michael Waite to Detroit’s Mike Ward and more. Listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With renowned jazz saxophonist Timothy McAllister joining GR Symphony this week, Local Spins asked the symphony president to reveal the music and artists who’ve impacted her most — including a band that’s driven by horns and saxophones.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
A member of The Concussions, The B-Sides and Zebra 3, Stanton is a West Michigan mainstay with a love for The Beatles and bands who produce short, catchy pop classics. View his picks and listen to tracks from all of the albums.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early October round-up of releases by Michigan artists features new collections covering rock, pop, hip hop, jazz and Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Cameron Blake’s return to the violin. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Upcoming shows
The Grand Rapids rock bands made their Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart debut in September with new studio rrecordings. Check out the chart, listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
After an insanely busy summer, Local Spins is back with a batch of reviews of 2022 releases by Michigan artists, from dark rock to folk to Gypsy swing to jam-band glory, plus a look at projects by Wild Honey Collective and Jeremy Ensley. Learn more about these diverse recordings and listen to tracks from each release.
New releases by a diverse group of Michigan artists all made their Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart debut in August and captivated listeners as well as radio programmers at WYCE (88.1 FM). View the chart, listen to music from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Summer Festivals
Beyond high-profile festivals this weekend such as Hoxeyville and Breakaway is northern Michigan’s LivelyLands, oozing ’boutique’ intimacy. Learn more about it and see which albums have most influenced founder Emily Lively.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Hoxeyville Music Festival gets unleashed once again in the Manistee National Forest later this month. Today, festival founder Jake Robinson reveals the albums that have influenced him most. Learn more about the festival and listen to tracks from his favorite recordings.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The indie-folk artist credits the work of his producer and studio musicians for enhancing his milestone new recording. View the rest of the chart at Local Spins and listen to tracks from all of the regional releases.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Today, Local Spins digs into the artists and music that have most influenced “Farmer” John Crissman, founder of southern Kent County’s Cowpie Music Festival, which returns this weekend. Learn the back story behind his picks and listen to the music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss could be considered an uber-fan of music, often seen at area concerts and festivals. So, Local Spins asked her Honor to reveal her list of faves, including some local legends. Listen to the tracks and get the back story.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Summer Festivals
Northern Michigan’s Dunesville Music Festival unfurls this weekend in Interlochen, so Local Spins asked the event’s co-director to reveal three albums that have impacted her most, along with a current favorite. Listen to tracks from all of the albums and find links for the festival lineup and details.
The multi-lingual Grand Rapids singer-songwriter topped the June chart of regional releases earning the most radio airplay at WYCE-FM. View the entire chart, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Blissfest rolls out again in northern Michigan this weekend — for the first time since 2019 — so Local Spins asked the event’s executive director to reveal the albums that have most influenced her over the years. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With Buttermilk Jamboree set to fire up Circle Pine Center for the first time since 2019, Local Spins asked the festival’s director to reveal the recordings that have influenced her life the most. View her picks, listen to the music.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Both Grand Rapids blues bands mark their 15th birthdays with special performances in June. Learn more about the upcoming shows in Q&As with both bands at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
May was, well, a big month for May, who released a new album last month that instantly captivated audiences. Get the back story, view the rest of the all-new Hot Top 5 Chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases by Michigan artists.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With summer festival season heating up, Local Spins asked DJ and electronic music authority Todd Ernst to reveal the albums have had a major impact on his own career. Plus, check out his current favorites and listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Set to play a Local Spins hip-hop showcase on Thursday at The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids-bred rapper Wuzee today reveals the albums and artists that helped shape his own music. Learn more about Wuzee; listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Singer-songwriter Eric Engblade plays a special edition of “Songtellers” at Listening Room next week. Today, he reveals the albums that most shaped his own career as a musician. Listen to songs from all of the albums, including tracks by Engblade, and see how you can win tickets to that “Songtellers” concert.
Audio · Concert reviews · Hot Top 5 · Photos
The Saginaw blues guitarist played Listening Room on Tuesday, the same week that Local Spins revealed that his latest album had hit No. 1 at WYCE. See what other albums made the chart; listen to tracks at Local Spins and view a photo gallery from McCray’s Grand Rapids concert.
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows
As a local advocacy group, the coalition continues to promote artists while providing instruction on the genre through songwriting classes and more as it prepares for Hip-Hop Appreciation Week later this month. Read more about this group and Local Spins’ 10 anniversary hip-hop showcase at The Pyramid Scheme.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Highly regarded Michigan guitarist Larry McCray plays Listening Room in Grand Rapids tonight as he tours behind his latest studio album. Today, he reveals the albums that shaped his own music. Check out tracks from the recordings, along with songs from his latest release.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The much-beloved, long-serving, veteran Grand Rapids band continues to grace stages with their tone-driven surf-rock. Read about the band and view their upcoming spring and summer schedule.
Local Spins closes out April with another round-up of new releases by Michigan artists — ranging folk to hip hop to soul to robust rock. Listen to tracks from all of the albums and see where some of these artists will be performing in coming weeks.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
With the Grand Rapids rock band set to play Local Spins’ 10th anniversary celebration in May, Legal Immigrants frontman Joe Bockheim today reveals the albums that most influenced him. Listen to tracks from all of his picks, plus a couple of tracks from The Legal Immigrants.
With a new single and video on the way, the death metal trio Rip VanRipper revels in a DIY spirit and determination to ‘learn and expand’ while unleashing its crushing music. The Local Spins Artist Spotlight, with a track from the band’s most recent EP.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting recordings that most influenced Michigan artists continues with a look at albums that shaped DJ SuperDre of Grand Rapids. Listen to tracks from all of her picks.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Michigan harmonica legend Peter ‘Madcat’ Ruth has long graced stages with his instrumental prowess. Today, he reveals the albums that forever altered his life. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings at Local Spins.
