Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
With roots in Big Rapids — and links to Ultraviolet Hippopotamus – the Michigan band is happily touring behind its sophomore studio album and embracing its eclectic approach. Read the story and album review, listen to the radio podcast, watch the video.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
The all-day benefit for the Wheatland Music Organization drew fewer people than usual to The Intersection on Saturday, but the performances by more than dozen bands were inspiring. Ogle the photos, check out the videos in this Local Spins wrap-up.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Episode No. 122 of Local Spins on WYCE boasted on-air performances by artists playing big benefit shows on Saturday, and also featured songs from Diff & Dudley, Jeremy Ensley, Carolyn Keobel, Lady Ace Boogie and Public Access. Listen to the podcast, watch the video.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
With deep roots in West Michigan, Midnight Pilot band members are finding key connections in ‘the center of the music universe’ as they create some engaging indie-rock/Americana music. Read the story, listen to the new EP, watch a video.
Audio · Breaking music news · Videos
In a Local Spins exclusive, Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones has produced and released its first music video. And listen to the new single from blues guitarist Jim Shaneberger and his band, who crank out a real gem from a CD slated for release in February.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Songwriters Nathan Kalish and Michael Riley were the in-studio guests during the most recent edition of Local Spins on WYCE, with the premiere of new regional tracks and a look back at some Jammie-nominated music from 2016. Listen to the full podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The up-and-coming Grand Rapids band stages a CD-release show Thursday at The Pyramid Scheme after its frontman spent two ‘grueling’ years recording the album. Check out the story and a pair of videos from this week’s in-studio radio appearance.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Videos
The much-buzzed-about Traverse City band has inked a highly anticipated contract with the eclectic and respected label. The group’s Sony Masterworks debut recording is set for release in the spring. Read the story and check out a video message from the band.
Breaking music news · Photos · Videos
The bands were among 11 acts competing for two slots in the March Fretboard Festival festival at Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Friday’s event drew a packed house and boasted lively performances. Check out the story, photo gallery and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grayling brother-and-sister duo brings its fetching approach to Grand Rapids on Thursday after releasing an album of originals in 2016, with plans for extensive touring this year. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and watch a video, then catch them this week at their West Michigan show.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The super-group of West Michigan musicians views The Underground Circus side project as a creative melding of ‘firepower’ unlike anything else on the scene. Read the back story about this unusual band, watch a video of a rare acoustic performance and listen to this week’s Local Spins Live radio podcast.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
West Michigan ushered in 2017 in style with performances by UV Hippo, The Go Rounds, The Crane Wives, Seth Bernard, La Famiglia, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Vox Vidorra, The Mainstays and plenty more — and Local Spins has the photos and some videos to prove it.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Happy New Year from Local Spins! Listen to this holiday troika of podcasts, featuring two Local Spins on WYCE broadcasts and this week’s edition of “GR Live” to wrap up 2016 on an upbeat musical note. Featured artists include Vox Vidorra, Eric Engblade, Phil Stancil and many more.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The in-demand Grand Rapids multi-instrumentalist who’s performed with Hannah Rose Graves, Northern Skies, The Change, Bigfoot Buffalo and many more unleashed a rootsy new album in 2016. He plays “GR Live” later today at The B.O.B. and Rockford Brewing’s New Year’s Eve party on Saturday. (Story, radio podcast, video)
Commentary · Top 10 Lists · Videos
It’s time to tune in to what Michigan musicians were listening to in 2016. Local Spins asked a bunch of ’em from the Great Lakes State to choose the best music and concerts of the year. Their choices are intriguing to say the least. Check out the lists and listen to the music.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The holiday week took on a homecoming-styled festive flair, from Morgan Haner, Max Lockwood and Dan Rickabus’ “songwriters’ night” to Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish’s rockabilly romp and more, all captured in Local Spins images. Check out the photo galleries and videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
They became fast friends after a hip-hop battle and released their debut album, “The Great Ones,” earlier this year. Listen to the Local Spins on WYCE interview and performance as part of the “Local Spins Rewind” series.
Commentary · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Beyonce, Bon Iver, The Crane Wives, David Bowie, Angel Olsen, Of Montreal, Angel Olsen and Childish Gambino made the grade with Local Spins writers in 2016. See who else impressed our critics this year and listen to the music that turned their heads.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
This Local Spins Artist Spotlight feature and podcast first ran at Local Spins in January. Since then, the band has released another album (which is reviewed here) and will play The Intersection with Mustard Plug on Dec. 29. I Believe in Julio is also the featured band for February in the 2017 Local Spins Calendar.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Break out the sweatpants, a jam-band attitude and shed a tear: After more than 50 shows, Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones will play its final Monday night residency gig at the West Side’s Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill this week. Read the back story, including the wacky things that have happened on Monday nights in this Grand Rapids watering hole.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids guitarist and singer chatted and performed during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new tracks by The Turnips, Everyday Junior, Monte Pride and more. Check out the Local Spins Artist Spotlight story, podcast and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids band is hosting an EP-release show and stopped earlier in the day to visit Local Spins on WYCE, which also spotlighted new regional tracks by The War Between, Boy From School, Lambo and much more. Listen to the podcast and watch the video, only at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor guitarist’s national exposure on NBC was ‘wonderful thing’ that boosted his profile. He plays Grand Rapids on Feb. 3, opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd at the new 20 Monroe Live venue downtown. Check out this “Local Spins Rewind” feature on a dynamic Michigan artist who’s featured in the Local Spins 2017 wall calendars.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The six-piece Grand Rapids band is spreading its wings as it builds upon a new EP with a catchy mix of soulful originals and unique covers. Read more about The Sauce and check out a video from the group’s performance this week for Local Spins Wednesday at SpeakEZ Lounge.
The band headlines a big New Year’s Eve show in Kalamazoo, then heads back into the studio later this winter to record a long-awaited, much-talked-about new album. Check out the story as Local Spins revisits some West Michigan artists featured in the new 2017 Local Spins wall calendars. Grand Rapids’ UV Hippo is the September cover.
Album reviews · Commentary · Videos
Like Grand Rapids’ own legend, Jimmie Stagger, The Rolling Stones are shining a bright spotlight on the genre that invigorated rock ‘n’ roll. Check out the Local Spins review of the new album, “Blue & Lonesome,” as part this Sunday column by John Sinkevics.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE featured Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe with special guest Brandon James playing Tom Waits-inspired music, plus new song debuts by Boy From School, The Outer Vibe, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, The Sauce and Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish.
It’s a highway soundtrack for the ages. By making a 2,500-mile journey to California — and back — in his ’73 VW bus, Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma had plenty of time to craft the perfect playlist for a road trip. Check out the songs, watch the videos, listen to it on Spotify.
Album reviews · Audio · Local Spins Live · Videos
Rev up December in style — and get a headstart on your Christmas CD shopping — with this Local Spins round-up of local and regional releases, which also spotlights new CDs from Murder Party, Bet on Rats and Cousin Avery, along with audio samples from the bands.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Videos
The musician known by many as frontman for Old Mission Collective officially releases his first solo recording in Traverse City this weekend, but his musical reach extends to Grand Rapids, Ludington and East Lansing. Read the Local Spins Artist Spotlight, check out the album review and video.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer was joined by guitarist Justin Wierenga and bassist Justin Avdek for this week’s edition of Local Spins Live on radio. Watch a video of the trio’s in-studio performance, a preview of their farewell show Wednesday night at SpeakEZ Lounge.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Local Spins rewind: The top story of the past week profiles Level Up, a sprawling S. Division Avenue studio and rehearsal space that already has Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Desmond Jones, Watching for Foxes and more laying down tracks for new projects. Watch the video, check out photos of the studio.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The sprawling S. Division Avenue studio and rehearsal space already has Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Desmond Jones, Watching for Foxes and more working on new projects. Read the Local Spins story, watch the video, browse the photo gallery.
Local Spins Live · Upcoming shows · Videos
The fast-growing international wine, beer and food sampling event starts Thursday in Grand Rapids and boasts three days of local and regional music, with 20,000 expected to attend. Get details and the full entertainment schedule at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With a blend of rock/folk/pop, Langhorne Slim opens a series Thursday that will now also feature Los Lonely Boys, Pokey LaFarge, Margo Price and Marc Cohn. Read the Local Spins interview with Langhorne Slim and get series details.
Announcements · Upcoming shows · Videos
The concert hall next to The B.O.B. opens in February with a wide range of bookings: The Verve Pipe, Lauryn Hill, Pop Evil and more. Tickets go on sale Friday. Check out the first slate of concerts booked for the venue.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
his November round-up of new local and regional releases covers the retro-rock of The Concussions and The JetBeats, plus fresh music from Diff & Dudley, Plain Jane Glory and Four Lincolns. Check out the reviews and listen to some samples of music from the new albums.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
New Music Wednesday at Local Spins ranged from The JetBeats’ radio appearance for Local Spins Live to release of Rick Chyme & Nixon’s politically charged new track to The Accidentals unfurling a gorgeous and touching Beatles cover (and video) with help from The Decemberists’ Jenny Conlee. Some of it was inspired by reaction to Tuesday’s election, all of it is eclectically impressive … only at Local Spins.
Amid the vitriol of this year’s presidential campaign, Local Spins presents an Election Day playlist for the ages. Go vote, then relieve your stress and immerse yourself in some great songs via video and Spotify. And do some balloting of your own by suggesting additions to this soundtrack.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Now based in Portland, Ore., the internationally acclaimed mandolinist will perform solo in Rockford, as well as with members of Grasshoppah and The Journeymen. Read the Local Spins story and watch a new Oberlin music video.
St. Cecilia hosts ribbon-cutting and grand re-opening gala tonight, showing off new seating, lighting, sound systems, flooring, furniture and more in the historic downtown concert hall. Read what improvements were made and take an exclusive video tour of the building.
Like Ministry (and Alice Cooper), Grand Rapids musician Brian Haik really wishes every day was Halloween, so he concocted his own roster of rock-oriented, fun Top 10 faves for the Local Spins Halloween guest playlist. Listen to the songs, check out the videos while you’re getting your monster gear and werewolf garb ready.
Local Spins continues its series of Halloween guest playlists with Dick Chicklet’s gruesomely groovy Top 10, from Black Sabbath and The Troggs to The Surfmen, Thurl Ravenscroft and Link Wray. Check out the videos and Spotify playlist to tingle your spine as you get ready for the creepiest of holidays.
There’s no party like a Murder Party Halloween party. And this Grand Rapids rock band’s frontman has come up with a menacingly maniacal Top 10 party soundtrack that even boasts a local flavor.
To get all of you ghouls and goblins in a frightening frame of mind for Halloween, West Michigan rockabilly queen Delilah DeWylde offers Local Spins a rollicking Top 10 of spine-tinglers, from Screamin’ Jay Hawkins to Los Straitjackets to The 3-D Invisibles. Give ’em a listen, if you dare.
Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids indie folk-rock ensemble talks about its growth as a band and performs in-studio for the latest edition of HopCat presents Local Spins Live. Check out the story, listen to the podcast and watch the video from this intimate interview and concert.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids-area artist who first made a splash as an animator has reinvented himself as a uniquely entertaining songwriter embarking on a bold new adventure. He plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night.
In recent months, some of West Michigan’s most promising bands have turned their songs into visually fetching videos. Here are nine to ogle, courtesy of Local Spins, from rock to hip hop to harmony-hued folk.
Audio · Breaking music news · Videos
Billy Strings says he eats, sleeps and breathes bluegrass music. Well, the Michigan-bred bluegrass whiz who moved from Traverse City to Nashville late last year continues to turn heads with his guitar prowess, and has now earned an industry Momentum Award. Read the story and listen to a new song from his recent solo EP.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The first volley of the three-day festival was an impressive one, with more than two dozen performances and an unparalleled musical spirit. Check out the story, video highlights and photo gallery. Check out the recap, video highlights and photo gallery from the opening salvo of this beloved northern Michigan music festival.
