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From The Accidentals to Nathan Kalish to Heaters, West Michigan bands are making a splash in Austin like never before at the massive South by Southwest music conference. View the photo gallery and learn more about what Michigan bands are doing in Texas this week.
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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.
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Howard City’s quaint, much-beloved folk and bluegrass venue calls it quits after six years as the building is sold. Meanwhile, the lakeshore’s unusual Walk the Beat event announces its return in August with more prizes for bands and a condensed area for performances. Read the details and check out the links.
Midwest Skies, Valentiger, The Legal Immigrants, SoundIsRed, Maybe Next Time, American Wifi and dozens more play the West Ottawa High School weekend festival which showcases the region’s emerging, diverse talent. See — and save — the full schedule.
Audio · Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The March 6 edition of Local Spins on WYCE (Show No. 28) heralds the debut of Nordlund, a new country project led by RJ Nordlund, plus a bevy of regional music gems. Listen to the podcast, watch the video of the in-studio performance of a brand new Nordlund song.
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With a reshuffled lineup that includes fiddler Jeffrey Niemeier, Grand Rapids’ prog-bluegrass band is crisscrossing the state and the country, working in the studio and just released a new video. And bassist Tim McKay has adjusted to a new style of playing since mangling his hand in a snowblower.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Mark Lavengood, Seth Bernard, Dan Rickabus, Michael Beauchamp and Max Lockwood will bring their tribute to four cities in four days: Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Bellaire and Fennville. Read the back story of this first-time tour and check out a playlist of John Prine gems.
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The 37-year-old Traverse City singer-songwriter talks to Local Spins about Monday’s “blind audition,” his national TV debut and moving on to the next round of the competition. And he has lots of good things to say about his L.A. experience. Watch a video of his performance.
The interactive, second annual festival started by An Dro percussionist Carolyn Koebel shifts from Lansing to Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids over three days, ending Sunday at One Trick Pony in Grand Rapids. Get details about the shows and lineups.
Unleashing music that’s ‘not exactly typical pop pablum,’ the cutting-edge New York post-punk band with a Detroit connection plays Grand Rapids for the first time on Monday. Read the Local Spins interview by Brian J. Bowe.
The seventh annual indoor festival aims to “beat the doldrums” of winter with performances on seven stages by New Third Coast, Drive South, Ralston Bowles, Olivia Mainville, Missy Zenker, Miriam Pico, Sour Mash and more. Read about the popular indoor event, with links to directions and a full schedule.
Legacy Award winners Mustard Plug and The Verve Pipe will lead an impressive lineup of performers and nominees at WYCE’s 16th annual awards show on Friday at The Intersection. Hear what they have to say about West Michigan’s version of the Grammy Awards and see the full performance schedule.
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists
Kalamazoo’s Greensky Bluegrass brings its progressive bluegrass prowess to The Intersection in Grand Rapids Saturday. To whet fan appetites, Paul Hoffman offers up a batch of his favorite songs for the Local Spins Guest Playlist. Some of the selections will surprise you. Check out the videos and Spotify playlist.
Features · Photos · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Saturday’s annual concert at Fremont’s Dogwood Center offers a rare opportunity to celebrate the artistry of local musicians who build stunning acoustic instruments.
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Buoyed by writing and playing his new songs, the Michigan guitarist and singer is now ready to unleash his CD. He appears on WYCE this morning and plays the Tip Top Deluxe in Grand Rapids tonight.
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The Grand Rapids rock band hosts an EP ‘giveaway’ show Friday at The Intersection after enlisting a renowned California producer for its new recording. And check out the band’s latest video, filmed at St. Cecilia Music Center with local performers and celebrities.
Features · Playlists · Upcoming shows
Mark VandenBerge’s lush ‘Ken Burns meets Trans-Siberian Orchestra’ production on Saturday will boast an all-star band, orchestra, choir and striking visuals. And check out his playlist of Top 5 Van Morrison songs.
Breaking music news · Features
UPDATE: Two West Michigan blues bands competed alongside 140-plus acts in the international competition this week. Read more about their Memphis experience.
Features · Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Vintage Gigs
With Fleetwood Mac playing Van Andel Arena tonight, WLAV-FM radio host and music historian Steve Aldrich recalls the first time the band played here, then supplies his Top 10 Fleetwood Mac songs.
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Show No. 21 of Local Spins on WYCE features in-studio performances by Thirsty Perch Blues Band, a conversation with Hot Capicola Records co-owner Luke Schmidt, and song debuts from Lady Ace Boogie, THEO and more.
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Organizers say this year’s all-online application system will make it easier for bands and performers to apply, and speed up scheduling. But the entry fee has doubled to $10.
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.
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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
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More than a dozen Michigan roots acts from the collective will share songs and back each other on stage, including Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, who move to Nashville later this month.
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Pop singer-songwriter once known as Garrett Borns performs hit single, “10,000 Emerald Pools,” with his band. He kicks off a national tour next month with a Michigan stop in Detroit March 1.
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The annual Wheatland fundraiser will boast two indoor stages and more than a dozen performances, including Fred Willson’s An Dro finale and sets by Billy Strings & Don Julin, Fauxgrass and more.
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The ethereal Grand Rapids rock band’s latest album tabbed as best regional album of the year, with the acclaimed group eyeing another recording project for 2015.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Tonight’s four-band show at The Pyramid Scheme will also be a CD-release party for indie-rock’s JOE led by frontman and event organizer Joe Rodriguez. Brother Adams, Dead Eye Zack and Emma Loo & Sam are also on the bill.
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
Saturday’s spectacle at The Intersection reunites two of West Michigan’s most popular rock bands from the ’90s for a fresh, post-Christmas affair that has both groups pumped up.
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Features
The pre-Christmas music news update at Local Spins checks in on Seger’s “Ride Out” tour, takes a gander at a plucky banjo project and finds more local albums nominated for honors.
Local Spins writer Brian J. Bowe recounts the stir sparked by the legendary shock-rocker’s spectacle at the Holland Civic Center in the early ’70s, a concert recalled by fans as a night of acid, body parts, a hanging and more that sent ripples through the staid community.
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After playing 230 shows in 2014, the teenage indie-folk phenoms from Traverse City continue to tour and record ceaselessly as a break-through act. They return to One Trick Pony tonight. (Videos, podcast)
The former Silver Bullet keyboard player is now an award-winning Wyoming recording and mastering engineer who toured and recorded with Seger during the ‘golden years.’
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Two veteran Grand Rapids bands are losing key members in coming weeks, with the acoustic groups planning to continue performing without them.
Sunday’s feel-good anniversary show raised thousands for food and anti-poverty programs with lively, goofy rock sets by The FuzzRites, Domestic Problems and The Honeytones. (Photo gallery, video)
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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.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
In the Local Spins Artist Spotlight: The buzz about the fiery Michigan bluegrass duo keeps growing. They play northern Michigan this week, with December shows at Rockford Brewing and Founders Brewing.
Breaking music news · Features · Upcoming shows
The November music news round-up at Local Spins focuses on area concert venues: an old one on the auction block, a new one firing up and a fresh local music series.
Michigan’s Shara Worden mixes primal musical energy, punk, classical training, and even marching bands, into cerebral, visceral whole note. She’s touring behind her new album, “This Is My Hand.”
Baby Iris recovering “like a champion” at home near Traverse City; May takes time off from the stage, with couple “inspired” by those helping out financially.
On Wednesday, the Nashville artist won CMA’s musician of the year for the seventh straight time. The ‘exclamation point’ comes Saturday when he plays a Pinnacle Center benefit for music education.
This year’s weekend festival takes place in six Eastown neighborhood homes with a dizzying blend of acts playing living rooms and basements, from Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys to Ghost Heart to AOK.
The Michigan State University grad who’s become a rising force in the Windy City will headline Saturday’s second annual Grand Rapids street party for thousands of costumed revelers.
Audio · Breaking music news · Features
Local Spins premieres brand new tracks from Kalamazoo’s Red Sea Pedestrians and Grand Rapids’ Murder Party. Both bands officially release new recordings on Friday but you can hear ’em here first.
Long-time host thrilled to front a new Grand Rapids venture on Thursday as he celebrates 20th year of the ‘Acoustic Café’ showcase. Local Spins delves beyond the familiar voice. And see how you can win tickets to the concert.
Breaking music news · Features
This week’s music news round-up at Local Spins revisits a well-known West Michigan performer who’s back from a Western stint and updates the status of a pair of recording projects.
The acclaimed singer plays Grand Rapids Thursday for the first time in years, performing as a duo while touring behind her new album, “Love and Hate.” And check out what[…]
The singer-songwriter and Grand Haven native released a much-buzzed-about single this week, two years after leaving West Michigan for New York, then settling in a ‘treetop sanctuary’ outside L.A.
Dozens of bands and musicians entering songs in Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize competition took their music to the streets this week in hopes of snagging votes for their tunes. Others were, well, just busking for dollars. (Photos)
