For professional musicians, the obstacles to surviving and thriving can include public misperceptions, lack of connections and the proliferation of weekend warriors willing to play for fun and beer. Singer Diego Morales of The Soul Syndicate offers up his take in this candid Local Spins guest column.
Breaking music news · Commentary
Less than three weeks after a rollicking, sold-out CD-release show for the duo’s brand new studio album, band members Josh Worsham and Jesse Ray have parted ways but remain amicable. Read more in the Local Spins story.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Illustrated with photos by Local Spins photographer Anna Sink, the Dobro player who fronts the Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza offers his impressions of last weekend’s joyful musicians’ fest outside Lake City. Check out the resplendent images and recap of an unforgettable event.
Inspired by last week’s extraordinary Detroit-area performance by former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, a Local Spins columnist finds enlightenment and virtuosity in not standing still — and sees some shining examples right here in West Michigan.
This column spotlighting the financial plight of local musicians first appeared at Local Spins two years ago amid an explosion in the music scene. But have things really changed? Read the Local Spins commentary.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts · Weekend Photo Gallery
CD-release shows and late summer festivals dominated a wet and cool August week, along with a first-time country show in Ionia and a packed Wealthy Theatre tour stop by May Erlewine and The Moonlighters. Check out all the photos at Local Spins.
Commentary · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Despite some detractors, the intimate outdoor amphitheater unleashes its 13th season with a Michigan classic rock band and follows that with an eclectic mix of acts, old and young. Read the Local Spins commentary, and see which 15 concerts already have sold out.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Videos
The band’s first-ever Grand Rapids appearance on Friday night was a show unlike anything this reviewer has ever experienced. Check out the Local Spins review and video snippets from the show.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Videos
Michigan songwriter Joshua Davis made an “incredible” run to the finals of the NBC singing competition. Finishing third is actually a plus: He’s now a national star with a bright future. Read the Local Spins commentary and check out a video of Davis’ on-air debut of an original song.
The death of the legendary bluesman earlier this week is being mourned by Michigan musicians influenced by his music, including Jimmie Stagger, Greg Nagy, Jim Shaneberger and more. Read their tributes.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Features · Videos
Traverse City’s Joshua Davis was saved on Tuesday, after a week in which he also sparked more attention for West Michigan’s burgeoning music scene. See what other regional roots acts are on the cusp of a national breakout.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Photos
Traverse City’s The Accidentals made their mark with Billboard magazine and industry folks at last week’s mega-event in Texas, but Local Spins writer Troy Reimink found plenty of other SXSW highlights amid the musical chaos. Check out his report and a SXSW photo gallery.
This week’s mammoth SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas, is one of the music industry’s biggest events. Several West Michigan bands have made the trip to make their mark and soak it all in. Local Spins asked some of them to provide their impressions in “diary” entries. Here are two of them. See who they’ve been rubbing elbows with thus far.
Commentary · Features · Videos
Thrilled to be named one of America’s most authentic Irish pubs, owners Mary Ann and Terry Reagan are throwing their last St. Patrick’s Day ‘hooley’ at the charming Conklin pub today. Read the column hailing the end of an era and watch a video from today’s parade and celebration.
The West Michigan singer-songwriter pulls no punches in panning the “exclusive fraternity” of today’s hit-makers while embracing Friday’s local Jammie Awards show. Read his Local Spins guest column, then leave your own comments about the Jammies and you could win a local CD and tickets to an upcoming concert.
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
On the heels of dizzybird records’ launch late last year, Hot Capicola Records also seeks to pump up the profile of local artists. The label hosts Lady Ace Boogie’s LP-release party at The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Features · Photos
Local Spins’ final look back at the year that was, reliving the excitement, controversy, emotions and pageantry that West Michigan’s music scene sparked in 2014
Commentary · Features · Top 10 Lists
Once again, Local Spins asked music writers and West Michigan musicians to submit picks for the year’s best albums and songs – and they came through with a truly diverse mix, from Future Islands and New Pornographers to Snarky Puppy and Against Me! to The Go Rounds and Heaters. Submit yours and you could win a special gift package
West Michigan musicians, Fenian’s Irish Pub (as it winds down toward the end of an era) and yes, the Detroit Lions, rank high on this Thanksgiving Day roster for 2014.[…]
Commentary · Features · Videos
Local musicians gather Sunday for the 20th anniversary of Feedback to support Access of West Michigan. What a long, gratifying trip it’s been, involving dozens of bands since that first benefit at the old Intersection in Eastown.
Musician and Local Spins columnist Brian J. Bowe immerses himself in the recent Lamp Light Music Festival in Eastown homes and becomes part of a new community of music. Here’s his commentary.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Photos
Local Spins columnist Brian J. Bowe immersed himself in the Faygo-flinging frenzy of rock-rap’s ICP and its fanatic Juggalos, and found an authentic expression of working-class catharsis. (Commentary, photo gallery)
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
On summer’s final day, Local Spins looks back at the rollercoaster ride of perhaps the busiest concert season West Michigan has ever seen, with exhilarating ups and stomach-churning downs.
The unseen time and labor behind a band’s typical road gig: working 10-12 hours for $10 to $15 a day. And most bands will do it happily time and again. But is that fair? A commentary on Labor Day.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Guest Column
Local Spins contributor Brian J. Bowe was startled to read how some critics and bloggers misinterpreted a triumphant Detroit homecoming show by Jack White earlier this week. Here’s his Musicians’ Soundboard take.
The much-ballyhooed Ray LaMontagne tantrum at Meijer Gardens has sparked a mega-debate over the do’s and don’ts of concertgoers and performers. Local Spins columnist Tricia Woolfenden offers her take. What’s yours?
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ 45th annual Festival of the Arts boasts hundreds of acts, including two veterans from opposite ends of the musical spectrum. And check out some musicians’ picks for the weekend
Commentary · Features · Upcoming shows
West Michigan’s celebration on Saturday is as much about history, nostalgia and supporting local record shops and bands as it is about snapping up exclusive vinyl releases. Dodds hosts its first RSD under new ownership, while Vertigo Music and The Corner Record Shop continue to make the day a real party.
Friday night’s Jammie Awards hosted by WYCE-FM (88.1) at The Intersection will boast two dozen bands on two stages and a packed house. It’s come a long way since its humble beginnings. Local Spins asked three key Jammie-ites to recount its growth and importance.
Breaking music news · Commentary
In West Michigan and across the globe, musicians and fans mourn the passing of folk legend Pete Seeger at 94. But his legacy lives on.
Pop acts Daft Punk and Macklemore/Ryan Lewis were huge winners in hype-filled show, but were there under-the-radar stars on music’s biggest night?
This Local Spins column originally ran on Labor Day and generated more comments than any other story in 2013. So, do you know how little your favorite local musician or band is probably being paid?
Breaking music news · Commentary
Fans can decide for themselves whether it’s a magna cum laude class, but Cat Stevens, Hall & Oates, Nirvana, KISS, Linda Ronstadt and Peter Gabriel make an intriguing mix of stars.
Exactly 50 years ago, an assassin gunned down President John F. Kennedy, the same day that The Beatles released their second album. The world would never be the same again.
Once the bane of musicians, DJs/house music producers have dubstepped, trance’d and techno’d their way into the limelight, selling out shows coast to coast and regularly lighting up venues in[…]
Breaking music news · Commentary
Services will be 5 p.m. Friday at The Orbit Room for Don Dorshimer, who helped build West Michigan’s rock concert scene, leaving behind a legacy as one of the Grand[…]
Calvin Johnson isn’t the only key to success for the Detroit Lions this season: Having the wrong celebrity pop stars make ballyhooed appearances at Ford Field could spell doom for[…]
It’s Labor Day: Do you know how little your favorite local musician or band is probably being paid? Pipe in with your own experiences, comments. On Labor Day 2013,[…]
Local Spins provides a video playlist of rock songs to make you feel free on Independence Day. (Videos) Feeling free. For some that means sitting on the back deck[…]
Commentary · Guest Column · Upcoming shows
Recalling his own youthful experience, guitarist-singer Steve Hilger started a jazz jam night for young players, giving them a chance to sit in with pros. It rolls on again Thursday[…]
Commentary · Features · Top 10 Lists
At long last, the ‘ice is slowly melting,’ which makes this the perfect time to dream of summer and those days of lazing around a cottage and dangling your feet[…]
Commentary · Concert reviews · Features
Michigan rocker Bob Seger has made Grand Rapids a regular — and early — stop on his tours with the Silver Bullet Band since 2006. Here’s what some fans had[…]
Commentary · Features · Guest Column
Spins on Music guest columnist Josh Rose has made peace with the Internet as a means of spreading his musical message and getting closer to fans. As he puts it,[…]
Check out this roster of best and worst love songs of all time, then enter the “Spins on Music is My Valentine” contest to win tickets to 12 concerts. […]
Commentary · Features · Guest Column
Singer-songwriter Ken Bierschbach has embraced the value of connecting — in small and big ways — with musicians, producers, fans, venues and more in navigating a career in music. It’s[…]
Commentary · Features · Guest Column
“Smoke on the Water” be damned. Playing cover songs is a tricky business, asserts this veteran guitarist, so bands should choose wisely and give their rendering of these tunes a[…]
Delilah DeWylde’s love letter (of sorts) to fans marks the Spins on Music debut of guest columns written by West Michigan musicians. EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to the first installation of[…]
Album reviews · Commentary · Features
Spins on Music wraps up its year-end spotlight with a bang, targeting impressive releases by Michigan artists Willamena, The Legal Immigrants, SoundIsRed, Kari Lynch, Kris Hitchcock, Thirsty Perch Blues Band[…]
Breaking music news · Commentary
At long last, prog-rock’s Rush and blues icon Albert King get their due. Does it matter that they’re finally getting inducted into rock royalty alongside a disco queen and a[…]
Breaking music news · Commentary
Grammy nominations announced Wednesday hailed Sapp’s latest gospel gem, with surprising nods to the likes of Dr. John, Gotye, Joan Osborne and the Alabama Shakes … with the usual head-scratchers.[…]
