Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids’ KJ reveals the story behind ‘Dynamics’ for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Annagail, Seth Bernard, Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions, The Aquaerials, Trevor Ohlsen, Eric Wagenmaker, Steve Leaf and more. Delve into The Good Time Family Band and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
Exactly one year ago today, at the height of COVID angst, Local Spins published a roundup of virus-inspired songs and spoofs created by Michigan musicians, both funny and heartfelt. Revisit the fetching tunes and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Traverse City songwriter plays Spread the Music Festival today and was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Medicinal Groove, Laine Rex, Snacks & Five, Amy Love, KJ & The Good Time Family Band, Shady Groves & more. Learn more about Butzin and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Announcements · Contests · Features · Videos
West Michigan’s Agri-Med & Local Spins announce a contest asking readers for their favorite pot-flavored tunes to be revealed in a playlist on April 20. Plus, we feature several local artists who’ve paid tribute to marijuana in song and video.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
After a mostly silent winter, two popular West Michigan bands revved up tunes new and old for live audiences in Grand Rapids and Holland on Friday. Find recaps of both shows in words and images at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids indie-rock band’s Jacob Bullard opened up about the new LP for Local Spins on WYCE, which debuted a dozen new tracks by Michigan artists. Get the back story on Major Murphy’s latest project, listen to the radio show podcast and watch a new band video at Local Spins.
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.
In-Depth Report · Upcoming shows · Videos
The latest “Comeback Road” video focuses on The Pyramid Scheme, plus we update other outlets getting state grants and some places — including Grand Haven — where outdoor concerts are planned. And see how some venues and organizations plan to use state assistance to move forward.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
For this week’s playlist, Local Spins asked Michigan’s The Moxie Strings to unfurl a Top 10 playlist of Celtic tracks to serve as a St. Patrick’s Day soundtrack for Wednesday’s upcoming celebrations. The selections span the globe. Plus, see where some of those St. Paddy’s parties are taking place.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids R&B/pop artist who helped pay tribute to Aretha with a Michigan super-group this week shared her 2021 plans with Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted a host of new tracks by artists from across the Great Lakes State. The story, podcast and video.
The former member of the Grand Rapids band Leland Blue made the cut and selected judge Nick Jonas’ team during blind auditions Tuesday on the NBC singing competition. Read more about Sinclair at Local Spins.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Hudsonville-area singer-songwriter opens up about his new album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Nordy, DAYZ, The Great United, Dance Contraption, Chain of Lakes, Steve Leaf, Ben Traverse & Michael Dause and more.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
For this special Q&A, Local Spins spotlights the noted composer who splits his time between London and West Michigan while creating documentary and drama soundtracks for television and film. Learn more about Sheridan Tongue in this in-depth profile.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins premieres new Walton tracks from ‘The Remedy’ along with the video for his new single. Plus, check out song debuts from other Michigan acts in the Local Spins on WYCE podcast. Learn more about Walton, his band and the new album; listen to this week’s radio show.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Shifting from live shows to the studio due to COVID, the GR duo is releasing striking new singles, debuting two of them for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered fresh tracks by more than a half-dozen Michigan artists. Explore Pink Sky’s year in lockdown and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Features · Venue Spotlight · Videos
Better than “sitting in my bedroom with an iPhone.” Local Spins today presents two interview and performance videos probing the unique advantages of live-stream concerts broadcast from a bona fide stage as gauged by musicians Ralston Bowles and Michael Crittenden, and St. Cecilia’s Cathy Holbrook. “It’s an actual venue,” Crittenden said of playing St. Cecilia even without an in-person audience.
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[…]
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Thousands filled The Intersection on Valentine’s Day 2020 to celebrate the best regional music of the year with impressive performances on three stages. With this year’s edition of the Jammie Awards indefinitely postponed due to COVID, browse highlights from last year’s big night in words, photos and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The veteran guitarist-singer offered the back story to his first solo album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Major Murphy, Loren Johnson, Full Cord, Dawning, Jeff Troutman, JP Houston, Jobbaloon, Madelyn Grant and The Soods. Learn more about Socia and his album’s all-star cast, plus listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
If not for COVID, Grand Rapids radio station WYCE, Michigan artists and their fans would be getting ready for the Jammie Awards this week at The Intersection. Instead, let’s revisit last year’s big winners, with updates on what they’ve been up to — along with new music from some of them.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Holland songwriter who fronts the Hundred Star Hotel opened up for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Pink Sky, Public Access, The Band Mint, Steve Leaf, Breaker Brothers, I Believe in Julio, Chris DuPont, Medicinal Groove and others. Learn more about Harrell and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Commentary · Guest Column · Videos
The latest in a series of guest columns by West Michigan musicians has award-winning Grand Rapids musician Patty PerShayla ruminating on the benefits of working in isolation during a pandemic — and how it taught her how to write again.
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.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s Local Spins playlist comes courtesy of the staff at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, spotlighting songs that represent past concerts, theatre productions and popular film screenings. Listen to the tracks and get an update on the status of Wealthy Theatre at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The talented Grandville High School teen was featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Neon Birdhouse, Chris Collins, Ardea, Lone Caravan, Wes Millhouse, Mike Ward, Flowers on the Grave and more. Learn more about the up-and-coming Gianna Stansell and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Ralston Bowles and Michael Crittenden kicked off St. Cecilia Music Center’s virtual folk-and-blues series on Thursday. Local Spins was there to capture the unusual vibe in an empty auditorium with two veteran West Michigan musicians.
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 · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Ada composer turned an artist-in-residence project into a ‘beautiful’ song collection inspired by the island. Local Spins on WYCE spotlighted the album and debuted new tracks by Gianna Stansell, Jeff Socia and more. Learn more about the project, listen to a couple of tracks and check out this week’s full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Today, Local Spins rounds up some Michigan-related music news that’s getting national attention, including a new collaboration starring Sufjan Stevens, a pair of big TV appearances for The War and Treaty, and a sneak peek into the upcoming studio album from Greta Van Fleet. Get the updates and watch the videos at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The Kalamazoo brewery’s booking and marketing team reminisced about the most compelling performances by bands and solo artists pre-COVID at Bell’s, from May Erlewine and Joe Hertler to Kurt Vile and Trampled by Turtles. Check out the Top 10 playlist and videos.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Held at The Intersection exactly one year ago today, the 11th annual benefit for the Wheatland Music Organization boasted more than a dozen performances on two stages in spite of wintry weather. Revisit the event in words, photos and video.
Led by an ambitious tribute to David Bowie, Local Spins has culled some of the best music videos created by West Michigan artists over the past few months for this January roundup, including videos featuring Jordan VanHemert, Rick Chyme, Wuzee and others. Watch all of the videos and get the back story on Mike Dodge’s impressive video homage to Bowie.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Traverse City singer-songwriter unfurled a touching new song for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Pink Sky, Jordan Ellis Mobley, Laurel Premo, The Chinchillionaires and more. Catch up with Davis in this in-depth interview, watch a video of a recent live-stream performance and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Playlists · Videos
In an in-depth Local Spins interview, the Grammy-nominated bluegrass star talks about writing, staying safe in a pandemic and getting ready to hit ‘the ground like a fireball’ when touring resumes. Watch videos of some of his recent performances and check out a playlist of artists he’s currently digging.
Local Spins Rewind · Top 10 Lists · Videos
The coronavirus crisis has fueled the creativity of musicians who’ve turned to humor for survival in 2020. Local Spins’ March roundup of video parodies not only became the No. 1 most-read story of the year, but the most popular post in the website’s history. Revisit this roster of clever spoof tunes, including new COVID-inspired videos we’ve added to further tickle your funny bone.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
The No. 2 story of the year was produced in quarantine by Local Spins writer Troy Reimink, who concocted a mid-March, elbow bump-worthy soundtrack for the viral apocalypse. Check out this uber-popular post and listen to the COVID-inspired tracks he assembled.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Part II of Local Spins’ spotlight on the year’s best releases — from Lianne La Havas to Fontaines D.C. to Tame Impala to Fiona Apple to Earth Radio — focuses on music selected by West Michigan musicians and Local Spins readers. Check out their picks; listen to the songs.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Top 12 Stories Countdown · Videos
The Stones were set to mount a 2020 U.S. tour until COVID-19 upended things. To make up for it, Local Spins in June fired up a dozen of the iconic band’s under-appreciated classics for a special playlist that was shared by readers across the globe. Check out the roster of songs and listen to the tracks.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
For the final Tuesday Playlist of 2020, Local Spins asked the folks at Founders Brewing Co. to compile a Top 10 list of favorite performers. It’s a wide-ranging and impressive roster of artists from near and far.
The raging COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stem the 2020 tide of new music — some inspired by the crisis as well as other events in a tumultuous year. Local Spins writers reveal their faves from a most unusual year.
Features · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
In late March, Local Spins put out a call to Michigan musicians to submit songs and videos inspired by the COVID crisis. They responded with humor and with poignancy — and readers loved it all. Watch the videos in this Local Spins Rewind feature that earned lots of attention last spring.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
This playlist from April honors the brave doctors, nurses and health care workers who have helped heal the nation. From Michael Jackson to Van Morrison to May Erlewine, revisit this Christmas Eve tribute as part of our countdown of 2020’s most-read stories.
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.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
As Christmas approaches, the folks at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena assembled this holiday-hued soundtrack featuring some of the top artists who’ve played the venue or are slated to play it in 2021. Get into the spirit of things with this Top 10 playlist.
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.
In April, the well-known radio personality kicked off a partnership with Big Event Studios to showcase regional and national stars in a unique way, using a rustic Grand Rapids freight elevator as a backdrop. Learn more about this project and watch a brand new video starring Nathan Walton as part of today’s Local Spins Rewind feature.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
The rock band frontman and Calvin University concert booker shares his 2020 experiences for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Gasoline Gypsies, Joose the Conqueror, Jude Lolley and more. Catch up with Droppers and his band, watch a music video for one of their latest singles, and listen to this week’s radio show podcast at Local Spins.
