The Grand Rapids indie-rock band’s sophomore album wasted little time making an impression on West Michigan audiences, topping several brand new releases making their Hot Top 5 chart debut last month. Read more about the record and listen to tracks from all of the featured releases at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Videos
Mark “Huggy Bear” Lavengood is a smiling, omnipresent force in West Michigan’s music scene. Today, he reveals the three albums that most shaped his career — plus a couple of current faves from Argentina. View his list, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
The Jackson band recently released a new album, “Sitting With the Unknown,” and continues to play shows and find inspiration in its hometown. Learn more about LVRS in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight and listen to music from the band’s latest album.
In a new partnership with Ypsilanti’s Grove Studios, Local Spins today spotlights an emerging singer-songwriter from the east side of the state who performs a live-stream concert at The Ark on Saturday. Learn more about Dani Darling, Washtenaw County’s Amplify Fellowship and listen to her music.
Start your Sunday with a refreshing look into six new releases by West Michigan artists, ranging from instrumental virtuosity to rock ‘n’ roll passion. Chain of Lakes and Shane Tripp are among the featured releases. Plus, listen to selected tracks from all of the albums.
Audio · Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
A couple of years ago, Grand Rapids singer and multi-instrumentalist Patty PerShayla assembled a special soundtrack of songs for saving our environment. Listen up again on Earth Day. PerShayla plays a special Local Spins Fest edition of ‘Songtellers’ at Listening Room on May 17 with an all-star cast of West Michigan songwriters.
Audio · Features · Playlists · Videos
On what’s become an annual holiday for many, today’s special playlist from Agri-Med and Local Spins reveals the most popular cannabis-inspired tunes as chosen by readers in our 4/20 contest. Peruse the diverse 20+4 list and see which four readers won smoking-cool gift packs.
Two much-hyped new releases by Michigan rock heavyweights — a veteran shock-rocker from the Motor City and a band of young Frankenmuth upstarts — offer up a mixed bag for fans and detractors. Check out the Local Spins reviews; listen to tracks from both releases.
New albums from KJ & The Good Time Family Band and Amy Love fill out this mid-April roundup of releases by Michigan artists. Check out the reviews from Local Spins writers, listen to tracks from each recording.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
The esteemed Michigan singer and guitarist reveals the artists and albums which most shaped his musical passion and his career, along with a current favorite. Find out why they were so influential and listen to tracks from each recording at Local Spins.
Jason Singer’s latest pop collection, “Everything Will Be Ok Eventually,” wasted little time getting attention and airplay at WYCE, along with several other new releases from Michigan artists — The Whiskey Charmers, Emma Bieniewicz, The Wild Honey Collective and Big House Blues Band. Listen to tracks from each album.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting music that shaped the careers of West Michigan musicians continues with Grand Rapids’ Robin Connell who cites Mel Lewis, Chick Corea, Bill Evans and a current (and related) fave. Check out the picks and listen to tracks from each artist.
This late March roundup of West Michigan releases ranges from rock and hip hop to synth-pop and folk. Check out the Local Spins reviews and listen to tracks from each featured artist.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting recordings that influenced Michigan-bred musicians continues with Americana/outlaw country artist Nathan Kalish, whose inspirations vary widely. Listen to his picks, along with a track from his most recent album.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Videos
Traverse City mandolin whiz Don Julin’s former touring partner, Billy Strings, has gotten lots of attention lately, especially after winning a Grammy last weekend. But Julin has had a big impact on Michigan’s music scene, too, and today he reveals the albums that most shaped his career.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
With his own new solo album on the way this spring, Michigan music ambassador Seth Bernard today reveals the three albums that most influenced his career, along with a current favorite. Listen to tracks from all of his selections (along with a standout Bernard song) as part of this week’s playlist.
Audio · Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The passionate and dynamic Women’s History Month tribute to icon Aretha Franklin features more than two dozen singers and musicians from across the state. Watch the video premiere and learn more about this collaborative project at Local Spins.
The lion’s share of local and regional releases populating the February Hot Top 5 represent reentries in the chart due to WYCE’s celebration of past Jammie Award winners and potential nominees. Listen to tracks from all of this month’s featured artists, plus view a list of new local additions to the WYCE library.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
This late February roundup of releases by Michigan artists has something for a myriad of musical tastes: rock, jazz, folk, electronic music and pop. Read the reviews, listen to tracks from each album.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
The lead singer of the popular post-hardcore band from Grand Rapids reveals the recordings that most influenced his career, along with a current favorite on his playlist. Check out tracks from these artists in a special Spotify playlist, plus a song from La Dispute’s most recent album.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Boundary-pushing keyboard phenom Chick Corea was a music world giant and a jazz fusion pioneer who died of cancer last week at 79. West Michigan’s Dutcher Snedeker pays tribute to[…]
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features
Hailing from Kalamazoo, the nationally renowned Greensky Bluegrass has helped alter the face of the genre. Today, mandolinist Paul Hoffman divulges the three albums that altered and shaped his own career. Listen to tracks from these albums, plus a song from a current fave.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features
Grand Rapids drummer Randy Marsh has been a mainstay in bands across West Michigan and host of a long-running SpeakEZ Lounge jazz jam. Today, he reveals the albums that influenced his career the most. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings, plus a song from a current favorite.
The first Michigan albums roundup for February hails releases from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit to Grand Rapids. Get the Local Spins take on these recordings and listen to tracks from each featured artist.
The endearing Grand Rapids garage-rock band’s latest release raced to the top of the January chart, which featured an all new set of regional albums. See the full chart and listen to tracks from all of the featured albums at Local Spins.
It’s Feb. 2, which means it’s time to honor groundhogs, “underground” musical gems we’ve dug up and, of course, that classic Bill Murray movie that most of us have replayed again and again and again. Check out this unique soundtrack at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
On the eve of their Ann Arbor Folk Festival performance, the Traverse City indie-folksters reveal their affection for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fiona Apple and Patrick Carroll, plus a current, classic fave. Listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
This mid-January roundup of regional releases ranges from Roger MacNaughton’s soothing instrumentals to singer-songwriter Jeff Socia’s debut album to some robust Americana gems. Read the reviews, listen to the music at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Local Spins continues its series showcasing recordings that most influenced Michigan musicians. Today, we asked in-demand Rockford horn player Paul Keen — a veteran orchestra and big band musician — for his picks of albums that shaped his career.
Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The Cedar Springs brewery that’s regularly hosted live music until COVID-19 shut things down offers up this week’s playlist, including many regional stars who’ve played the brewpub. ‘We’re missing everyone terribly,’ says owner David Ringler, who aims to restart entertainment as soon as possible.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Playlists
Over the last couple of months, Local Spins has debuted impressive music by new or little-known Michigan artists who deserve more attention. Here are 12 tracks by them that you shouldn’t miss, from Mark Huizenga to L. Supreme to Colt Snuffer & The Dead Horsemen.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
Local Spins continues its series showcasing recordings that most influenced the careers of Michigan musicians. Today, we get a peek into the records that shaped Crane Wives drummer Dan Rickabus.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
The first regional albums roundup of 2020 spotlights artists from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Traverse City, and covers a broad spectrum of genres. Get the lowdown on these recordings and sample tracks from all of the releases.
Audio · Hot Top 5 · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
A soulful charm marked both releases in this year-end roundup of most-played Michigan songs and albums. The charts also salute popular recordings by The War & Treaty, Cole Hansen, Cameron Blake and Drinking Mercury, along with other West Michigan gems. Check out the charts, sample the music.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
The West Michigan visual artist and musician moved to France in early 2020 and has embraced the vibrant city. Learn more about his relocation and his upcoming Americana/punk album; listen to a new track from the forthcoming release.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Videos
Local Spins continues its series showcasing recordings that most influenced the careers and artistry of Michigan musicians. Today, the spotlight falls on the trio of artists who influenced David Kirchgessner of the Grand Rapids ska band Mustard Plug. Listen to tracks from each album and find out who’s at the top of Kirchgessner’s current playlist.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features
After releasing a brand new holiday EP, the beloved northern Michigan songbird opens up about musical life during the pandemic in this relaxed, revealing interview with Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos. Plus, listen to two classic tracks from her new recording.
This mid-December roundup of new releases by West Michigan artists ranges from the soothing to the rousing, from the dreamy to the thought-provoking, and from the heart-pounding to the unique collaboration of Oxford Fields. Get the back story on these releases and listen to selected tracks at Local Spins.
Welcome to a pre-Christmas flurry of new releases by Michigan artists, from instrumental flair to hip hop to rock to funk to singer-songwriter charm. Check out today’s reviews and listen to tracks from each album.
The November chart reflecting airplay of regional albums at WYCE-FM mostly just reshuffled entries from October, with one new album debut. Get details, listen to tracks from each release.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features
Today, Local Spins kicks off a new series from writer Ross Boissoneau exploring the recordings that have most influenced the careers and artistry of well-known Michigan musicians. We start with Brian Vander Ark. View his Top 3, with links to listen to the featured albums.
Mid-November brings another review roundup of new releases by West Michigan artists covering a dizzying array of genres. Read the reviews, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists.
Album Releases · Audio · Periscope · Videos
Today, Local Spins writers and ‘New Standards’ hosts Troy Reimink and Tricia Boot Woolfenden spotlight fresh national/international tracks that you might have otherwise missed. View their picks, listen to the songs, watch the videos.
The signature, heartfelt sophomore album from the Albion duo now based in Nashville soared to the top of the October chart which also saw the debut of new releases by Patty PerShayla and The Soods. Cameron Blake and Earth Radio returned to the chart for the second month in a row. Browse the chart and listen to tracks from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
For this Election Day playlist, Local Spins asked a panel of musicians to cast their ballots for emerging black artists with great potential from the region who deserve a brighter spotlight. Browse their picks, listen to the music.
This week, Local Spins spotlights six new releases by Michigan artists, from hip hop to roots rock to folk, and featuring a couple of collections perfect for haunting your neighbors on Halloween. Check out the reviews, listen to songs from each of the releases.
New albums from River City Narrative and Anonymous Phone Call are also part of this week’s roundup of new Michigan releases. Check out the reviews and listen to music from each of this week’s featured artists.
From Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Port Huron, this week’s batch of album reviews covers a half-dozen new releases from Michigan artists covering a wide spectrum of genres. Learn more about these recordings and listen to tracks from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5
The Grand Rapids ensemble’s latest project joins releases by Earth Radio, Crispin Campbell and Cameron Blake as new entries on the September chart. View the chart and listen to tracks from each featured album at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
A half-dozen new releases by Michigan artists — from Detroit’s The Messenger Birds to the U.P.’s John Davey — are showcased via reviews, audio samples and more at Local Spins. It’s an eclectic bunch of albums, from jazz to prog-pop to soulful Americana to vintage country.
