Audio · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Popular Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones whipped up a Top 10 roster of group members’ favorite songs during the current coronavirus pandemic, from D’Angelo to Thundercat. Watch the videos, listen to the Local Spins playlist on Spotify.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The Detroit-area artist with roots in West Michigan topped the April chart of most-played local and regional albums at WYCE-FM. Learn more about Burch, watch a video of a new song, see who else made the Top 5 and listen to tracks from all of the featured albums.
Celeste Allison Trio, Dale Wicks and The Ryne Experience also are part of this early May roundup of new Michigan-propelled releases. Learn more about the albums and listen to songs from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
In an interview with Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos, Nathan Kalish opens up about his new album, cooking for himself, and the way the coronavirus has ravaged the music industry. Learn more about the West Michigan-bred Kalish and listen to songs from his latest release. And he plays a live-stream concert tonight.
This week, we asked Jammie Award winner and Local Spins’ Emerging Artist of the Year Jordan Hamilton to give us his top songs to get through the COVID-19 quarantine. An intriguing roster of tunes to be sure, from hip hop to jazz and more. Watch the videos, listen to the Kalamazoo cellist’s playlist on Spotify.
The current COVID-19 crisis hasn’t silenced West Michigan artists, who’ve been busy releasing new albums. Here are five to check out, including a tour de force from Jake Kalmink’s Further Closer and a much-anticipated sophomore release by Political Lizard. Listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The album inspired by iconic jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt topped an all-new roster of popular Michigan releases, which also included Via Mardot, Pink Sky, Darcy Wilkin and Seth Beck. Learn more about Djangophonique, view the complete chart and listen to songs from all of the featured artists.
Smack dab in the middle of a COVID-19 shutdown, Local Spins presents an early April roundup of new West Michigan album releases. Read the reviews, listen to selected tracks from the featured albums.
With folks self-quarantining and social-distancing — and virtually all live music entertainment shut down — Local Spins asked writer Troy Reimink to supply a stay-at-home soundtrack for the viral apocalypse. Watch the videos and listen to the Spotify playlist.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
This early March roundup of new local and regional releases at Local Spins focuses on a GR keyboard icon, new projects from some notable West Michigan musicians and a Detroit-area indie-folk artist. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Buoyed by airplay related to February’s Jammie Awards, many of the regional acts who got the most airplay at WYCE-FM last month were among the most-played artists of 2019. View the chart, listen to the music.
This February roundup of new releases is a potpourri party, not only covering the mainstream but pushing the experimental envelope with releases by bands and artists from mid-Michigan to Muskegon. Check out the reviews; listen to the music.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Holland singer-songwriter Via Mardot’s fresh band project hosts an EP-release show in Lansing on Saturday. Learn more about Via Mardot and listen to the trio’s music at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
From Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to northern Michigan, this round-up of new releases by Michigan artists delves into pop, jazz, folk, hard rock and even classical music. Soak up the reviews along with tracks from all of the featured artists.
On the eve of the Jammie Awards show, several nominated bands found their way into the Hot Top 5 chart of most-played albums on WYCE-FM. See the full chart and listen to music from each of the Hot Top 5 acts.
Audio · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Two dozen artists will perform at the Jammie Awards on Feb. 14 at The Intersection. Listen to half of them and learn more about these acts — from JRob to Jack Droppers, Medicinal Groove to Michigander — in the first of two Jammies previews at Local Spins to help you get you ready for the big day.
Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW · Upcoming shows
For the sixth year, Michigan House will set up shop in Austin for the March South by Southwest festival, promoting Michigan music, entrepreneurs and innovation. See which Michigan bands are playing this year’s show and listen to their music at Local Spins.
Audio · Hot Top 5 · Top 10 Lists
Check out the final roster of local and regional albums which earned the most airplay at WYCE-FM last year, topped by a Michigan bluegrass powerhouse. Then, listen to tracks from all of the featured artists.
January’s second batch of albums reviews at Local Spins spotlights the latest releases by several artists from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Check out the reviews, listen to the music, find out where some of these artists are performing.
The first batch of regional releases reviewed at Local Spins in 2020 boasts a wild mix of music from an eclectic bunch of Michigan artists. Read the reviews, listen to the music, learn more about the featured acts.
Audio · Breaking music news · Hot Top 5
The most-played local tracks on WYCE in December came from a fresh batch of artists who also showed up among nominees for Jammie Awards for best regional music releases of the year. Browse the latest Hot Top 5 chart, listen to songs from the featured artists and view the 2020 nominees for best album by a new artist.
Audio · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
The ‘top secret’ September project that had 15 vocalists gathering to record the Fleetwood Mac song at Third Coast Recording in Grand Haven was one of Local Spins’ most-read stories of 2019. Get the back story on this special project and watch the video at Local Spins.
Local Spins presents another December roundup of new releases by Michigan artists — from rock to Americana to blues and more — with audio samples from all of them.
With December’s holidays fast approaching, here’s a Local Spins roundup of recent Michigan releases that make perfect stocking stuffers — and just plain satisfying listening. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from each of the featured albums.
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids singer and guitarist J. Oscar Bittinger is ‘rebooting’ the once-popular holiday concert at Listening Room on Sunday. Get the back story about this unique event and see the full lineup at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The new “Michigan Music” compilation featuring 33 Great Lakes State artists and impressive recordings by Billy Strings and Sandra Effert take center stage in the statewide December segment. Bend an ear to the podcast and the featured songs, plus get the back stories about these artists at Local Spins.
For the third year in a row, a new album featuring singer May Erlewine has jumped to the top of the Local Spins Hot Top 5 chart at WYCE-FM, with Borr McFerrin and Jack Droppers making their first appearance. Check out the chart, listen to songs and watch videos from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
There are compelling stories behind each of the West Michigan artists featured on this month’s edition of Local Spins on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside.” Listen to the podcast, get the back story on these three acts.
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter topped a chart of most-played local albums on WYCE that also features new releases by Last Gasp Collective, May Erlewine and The Skinny Limbs. See the full chart, listen to songs by all of the featured artists and browse a list of new regional releases.
After playing a Detroit-area show last weekend, the rockers had “everything” — instruments, sound equipment and merchandise — stolen from a hotel parking lot. A GoFundMe campaign is helping them replace the gear. Read more about the incident at Local Spins. Some gear eventually was recovered at a Detroit pawn shop.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Fall brings with it some frightfully good new regional music, including the latest from Michigan-bred bluegrass hero Billy Strings, a popular hip hop collective, fetching fiddle music and scary-cool Halloween gems. Check out the reviews, sample the new music at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The Chris Michels Band, which plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday, boasts a rotating cast of talented musicians, led by a songwriter about to release a new solo album and determined to squeeze “as much music” as he can into his life. Get the back story on Michels and listen to his new singles at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5
The latest chart of most-played local and regional albums on Grand Rapids’ WYCE-FM also featured the debut of a new album by hip hop’s Dante Cope. See the full chart, listen to music from the featured artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Podcasts
From established stars (May Erlewine) to up-and-coming Grand Rapids acts (Patty PerShayla, The Skinny Limbs), this month’s edition of Local Spins on ‘Stateside’ showcased some Michigan-bred music that’s begging to be heard. Listen to the podcast and interview, check out songs from the featured artists.
This mid-September sampling of new local and regional releases offers everything from boundary-pushing folk-punk to socially conscious hip hop. Check out the reviews and listen to the music, exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The experimental rock quartet celebrates release of its sophomore full-length at Shakespeare’s Lower Level on Friday night. They spoke with Local Spins writer Megan Dooley about the project. Check out the Q&A and listen to songs from the new album.
This mid-September round-up of new regional releases spans several genres in fetching fashion with bands based in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Check out the reviews, see where you can see the artists live and listen to their music at Local Spins.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5
A new slate of regional albums made a splash on WYCE-FM in August. Check out the full chart, listen to the featured artists and check out the roster of new local releases.
Album Releases · Audio · Podcasts
The latest releases from each of these West Michigan artists represents a significant step forward in their musical journeys. Listen to the September segment of Local Spins on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ and check out full versions of songs from the featured albums.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Summer Festivals · Videos
This weekend’s festival near Johannesburg, east of Gaylord, unfurls with a huge roster of Michigan acts, including Traverse City’s Chris Michels, who’s fast building a fan base for his funky, jazzy music. Read more about the festival and MIchels, and listen to his music
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The August Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” showcased the sophomore album from a popular jam band, the debut from a veteran blues outfit and some lively bluegrass. Listen to the podcast and full songs from each of the featured artists.
The unusual studio album by Grand Rapids’ Free Hat tops the list of local and regional releases that earned the most radio airplay at WYCE-FM last month — a roster of all-new names. Check out the full chart, listen to tracks from all five artists and browse the list of new local releases at Local Spins.
The first batch of Local Spins album reviews for August features a popular jam band, a hard-rock fave, an up-and-coming hip hop artist and a bluegrass gem. Check out the latest round-up of new releases and listen to songs from each of the featured albums.
The late-July roundup of new releases by local and regional artists covers the gamut of styles and genres. Check out the reviews, audio samples and upcoming performance dates at Local Spins.
The old-school rock duo’s latest studio album shot straight to the top of the June chart of most-played local albums on WYCE-FM. See which other albums made last month’s Hot Top 5 and listen to songs by the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
Local Spins’ July segment highlighted two Grand Rapids acts who’ve retooled their approach a little bit and a new band featuring members from another group with a vastly different sound. Listen to the statewide podcast and songs from the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
The former frontwoman for Vox Vidorra is set to release a new solo EP and video on Friday at Creston Brewery. Learn more about the project at Local Spins and listen to her captivating single.
Album Releases · Audio · Podcasts
Local Spins’ May segment for “Stateside” on Michigan Radio cranked things up with Michigan bands that are all making a splash in different ways. Listen to the podcast and check out full versions of songs by the featured artists.
Audio · Features · Summer Festivals
Working with Joshua Davis, Greensky Bluegrass and others, the Grayling songwriter has become a go-to collaborator whose songs likely will be heard at this weekend’s Camp Greensky Music Festival in Wellston. Get the back story about this artist from Local Spins writer Ryan Boldrey, listen to his music and find details about this weekend’s festival.
Audio · Hot Top 5 · Upcoming shows
The country-driven Grand Rapids band was joined by Political Lizard, May Erlewine, Max Lockwood and chart newcomer Gasoline Gypsies as the hottest regional plays for May on WYCE. See where the artists are performing and listen to songs from their albums at Local Spins.
