Explore some of the latest regional releases, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists and revel in a Local Spins exclusive: a sneak peek into the full new album by Grand Rapids’ The Soods prior to its official release.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The March Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s ‘Stateside’ showcased new music from four attention-getting West Michigan acts from different ends of the musical spectrum: pop to country to soft indie-rock to funky blues. Listen to the ‘Stateside’ podcast as well as full versions of new songs by the featured West Michigan artists.
Audio · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The seventh edition of the annual festival on July 27-28 will also boast sets by Kali Uchis, Lizzo, King Princess, The Story So Far, Noname and more. Tickets go on sale Friday. Check out details and listen to a playlist of Mo Pop artists at Local Spins.
This February roundup of releases by Michigan artists also takes a look at new recordings by Andrew Saliba, Kaitlyn Zittel and The Aquaerials. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
February’s Local Spins segment on Michigan Radio’s “Stateside” gave listeners statewide a taste of Kalamazoo cellist/hip hop artist Jordan Hamilton, Grand Rapids’ funky Melophobix and pop/folk-rock’s Max Lockwood. Enjoy the podcast, read more about the featured artists and listen to their songs at Local Spins.
The Kalamazoo-bred, progressive bluegrass powerhouse shot straight to No. 1 at WYCE with its new studio album, and some familiar faces round out the January chart of most-played releases. Check out the chart and listen to tracks from all the featured artists, plus see what new local albums have been added to the radio station’s library.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Check out the latest batch of Michigan releases being showcased at Local Spins — from high-profile acts to under-the-radar artists — and sample tracks from the featured albums, including recordings by Blueflowers and The Dead Shepherds.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The first Local Spins segment of 2019 showcases new music from “The Michigan Songbird,” a Grand Rapids psych-rock powerhouse and the first solo album from an in-demand sideman. Listen to the podcast and the artists’ featured songs.
The Earthwork Music singer and her band’s soulful, dance-hued EP soared to the top of the WYCE play rotation the same month it was released. The Gasoline Gypsies and McWeakerton also made their chart debut in December. See the full chart and listen to music from all of the featured releases.
This edition of “Looking for the Perfect Beat” by Todd Ernst spotlights Faren Strnad, a rising star in West Michigan’s electronic music scene who shares a bill Saturday at Founders Brewing with the iconic Mike Farina. Get the back story about Strnad and listen to her music.
This Local Spins roundup of albums recorded in Michigan has a cross-state, inter-state and international flavor – and covers a lot of territory musically, too. Read the reviews, listen to music from the featured artists.
Heavy Color retained the top spot on the regional music chart for November, but Heaters and Roosevelt Diggs were right behind with their impressive new releases. View the latest chart, listen to music from all of the featured artists and browse the list of new local additions to the WYCE airplay rotation.
Album Releases · Album reviews · Audio
Local Spins’ second batch of November reviews of regional album releases covers a lot of musical territory from hip hop to hard rock to ’60s sizzle to boundary-pushing jazz. Get the lowdown on new Michigan releases and preview music from the recordings.
This mid-November roundup of Michigan releases boasts a Petoskey-bred band’s full-length debut, plus gems from Conrad Shock, Roosevelt Diggs, Elizabeth Landry and Brotha James, who plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight (Wednesday). Check out the Local Spins reviews, listen to music from the featured artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Podcasts
November elections dominated the news, but this month’s Local Spins segment on “Stateside” was all about groovy new music from Grand Rapids’ Conrad Shock + The Noise and Brother Elsey, and Kalamazoo’s Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts. Read about the bands, listen to the podcast and check out full versions of the group’s new songs.
The Earthwork Music artists based in Toledo generated a buzz and lots of WYCE radio airplay for their latest collaborative project. See who else made the Local Spins Hot Top 5 for October and listen to music from all of the charted artists.
Detroit producer Matt Black’s fetching, trippy release swapped top spots at WYCE-FM with Albion’s The War & Treaty. Check out the rest of the Top 5; listen to music from all of the artists on the September chart.
Audio · Festivals · Upcoming shows
This weekend’s downtown event boasts sets by seven regional acts, who are also vying for votes for their songs in hopes of winning $1,000. Check out the full weekend schedule, listen to the song entries at Local Spins.
The September Local Spins segment spotlighted new releases from a veteran, in-demand singer, an electronic music duo and an emerging indie-rock/pop band. Listen to the “Stateside’ podcast with new songs from Jen Sygit, Pink Sky and Tiger and Frame.
The Grand Rapids indie-rock/pop band has attracted attention local and nationally. Check out the full chart for July which boasts a whole new roster of releases and sample music from the Top 5 artists.
The electronic music duo capitalizes on the buzz about its upcoming new release with impressive airplay on WYCE, with Brad Fritcher’s MOODS making its chart debut, too. Fritcher plays a farewell show at SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night. Check out the Hot Top 5 and listen to songs from each of the featured artists.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Local Spins’ first batch of July releases covers a broad range of Michigan artists, from prog-pop to jazz to jamgrass to rock ‘n’ roll. Read the reviews, listen to samples of the music, find out where these bands are playing.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Podcasts
The July Local Spins segment spotlighting West Michigan artists gave “Stateside” listeners a sampling of dream pop, well-crafted Americana and harmony-laden indie-folk. Listen to the podcast and featured tracks by all three artists, including the brand new single by Major Murphy.
With her new pop single, “Real Love,” directly addressing the trauma of being gay in the evangelical church, Local Spins revisits its candid February interview with Flint Eastwood’s Jax Anderson. And as a bonus, the “Local Spins Rewind” feature gives you a chance to listen to Flint Eastwood’s new song.
Audio · Breaking music news · Hot Top 5 · Videos
Four of the five local and regional artists on the May chart were also on the list for April, with only Michigander breaking into the Top 5 for the first time. Browse the Top 5 and sample music from all of the featured artists.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Breaking music news
The Albion-based duo’s meteoric rise on the national music scene also brings festival appearances at Camp Greensky, Bonnaroo, Telluride and Newport Folk Festival. Read the inside story of their Nashville recording sessions and how they met Emmylou Harris for the first time.
The latest from the Michigan-bred bluegrass outfit led by singer Lindsay Lou Rilko topped all other acts for regional airplay at WYCE, with Vox Vidorra and Lazy Genius also making their chart debut. See the entire Hot Top 5 and listen to tracks from all of the featured artists at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Local Spins sat down with the eclectic Grand Rapids band, which just released a new single, has an album in the works and is playing a series of May shows, including the Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge tonight (Wednesday). Check out the Q&A with The Hacky Turtles and listen to the single, “Grace.”
On the eve of Jack White’s buzzed-about Grand Rapids show, the Local Spins “countdown” assesses his bold new album, along with regional releases by a diverse mix of Michigan artists. Read the reviews, listen to audio samples from the albums.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
Get an earful of compelling music in this April round-up of new releases by local and regional artists, featuring a mix of genres from folk to hip hop to hard rock to bluegrass to indie-rock to R&B. And listen to tracks from the new albums along with some select videos.
Audio · Breaking music news · Hot Top 5
Grand Rapids’ genre-melding neo-soul band Earth Radio hit No. 1 last month, with Public Access, The Bootstrap Boys and Shane Tripp making their first appearances on the radio chart. Check out the new Top 5, with audio samples from all of the releases. And see a list of all the new local and regional albums added to WYCE’s rotation.
The Jackson pop-rock band and one-time Grand Rapids-based singer-songwriter made a splash on WYCE with their latest recordings. See who else made the chart and listen to music from all five Michigan artists.
The Grand Rapids blues-soul band is joined by several other new entries on 2018’s first monthly chart of local and regional airplay at WYCE-FM (88.1). Listen to songs from the featured albums, check out the videos. See who else made the chart.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
With Børns playing a homecoming show tonight, Local Spins probes his new studio album, along with new releases by Eminem, Cabildo, The Devil’s Cut, Ttypes and Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions. Read the reviews, listen to audio samples.
Album Releases · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows
Recently relocating to West Michigan from Denver, the indie-soul duo has turned the pain of a losing a child into a healing, uplifting experience through music, while aiding charities along the way. Read more about this couple’s journey and listen to their music at Local Spins.
Audio · Commentary · Features · Kalamazoo
In his Local Spins debut, writer Ryan Nehring pays tribute to Kalamazoo performer, singer, MC and host of the “PUT UP or SHUT UP” open-mic night who passed away unexpectedly last month. Read about this influential West Michigan artist in Ryan’s poignant column.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
The long-running northern Michigan band with a jam, funk, rock and bluegrass vibe makes its Local Spins Wednesdays debut this week at Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge. Get the back story on Soul Patch, listen to the band’s music, watch the videos.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows · Videos
This October round-up of new regional releases covers the musical gamut, from prog-rock to jam bands to indie-rock and more. Check out the reviews, listen to samples of the new music at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
Relocating to West Michigan from Chicago, the Traverse City-bred band plays Founders Brewing on Thursday and Grand Armory Brewing on Oct. 20 while creating new songs for its sophomore album. Check out the Local Spins profile of this emerging band, along with video and audio samples of its unique music.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
Call it the youth movement. Traverse City indie-folk faves The Accidentals once again hit No. 1 for regional airplay on WYCE, with teen guitarist Jake Kershaw and bluegrass phenom Billy Strings debuting in the Top 5. Check out videos, audio of the Top 5 artists, along with a listing of new local and regional releases.
Album reviews · Audio · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The War & Treaty’s debut EP topped July’s Hot Top 5 for WYCE airplay, with Crane Wives drummer Dan Rickabus’ solo CD right behind. Check out a review of that album and other new Michigan releases.
The Michigan native continues to turn heads nationally as he prepares to release a full-length debut album in September. Read more about Billy Strings and listen to a track from his upcoming new recording.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Audio · Kalamazoo
The band with roots at Western Michigan University revels in ‘creative freedom’ as it churns out distinctive jazz fusion and soul. Read the Local Spins review of the “Nebulushh” EP, listen to tracks by the up-and-coming band.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
opping the early August batch of new releases is the Sony Music Masterworks debut for a popular Traverse City trio, plus fresh recordings from an eclectic bunch of West Michigan artists. Check out the reviews, listen to samples of the new music.
Audio · Breaking music news · Hot Top 5 · Videos
The Grand Rapids bluegrass musician’s latest solo album soared to WYCE’s top spot, with the Jim Shaneberger Band appearing on the chart for the third month in a row. Listen to music from all five artists who made May’s Hot Top 5 and check out the list of new local releases.
Audio · Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals
The festival’s opening night at Camp Blodgett along the lakeshore between Grand Haven and Holland boasted sets by The Waverlys and Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, plus the usual VW bus-inspired camaraderie. Check out the photo gallery and audio clips from this kickoff to Memorial Day weekend.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE
Much-respected jazz advocate and Grand Rapids pianist Robin Connell is a self-described ‘workhorse’ who will be honored at a May 15 banquet. Learn more about this devoted musician and listen to the Local Spins on WYCE podcast featuring performances with Connell and singer Kathy Lamar.
Audio · Guest Column · Videos
In this Local Spins guest column, Grand Rapids writer and musician Charley Honey revisits the life-changing experience of ‘Sgt. Pepper.’ Check out his take on the album five decades on, listen to the album and find links to other stories about the iconic recording.
Album Releases · Audio · Videos
With Joe Hertler and band unveiling an album today and kicking off a U.S. tour, Local Spins takes a gander at the new collection and fresh releases from other notable Michigan bands. Check out the reviews and listen to samples of the new music.
Announcements · Audio · Breaking music news · Local Spins at SXSW
To mark their return to South by Southwest, Traverse City’s The Accidentals released the first single from their upcoming new album today. And five other Michigan acts headed for a Michigan House-Austin showcase have recorded fresh songs for SXSW and ArtPrize. All six premiere here at Local Spins. Listen to the songs, read the back story.
