Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With 50-plus years on the road under his belt, the British-born Albert Lee has a U.S. band, a devoted audience from ‘way back’ and plans for another studio album. Read the Local Spins interview with this iconic musician who boasts a star-studded history.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The new Grand Rapids duo of Elroy Meltzer is readying release of its debut album and ramping up its gigging schedule for 2016. Check out the interview and performance, plus listen to tracks by a host of West Michigan artists, from Drew Nelson and Joshua Davis to Boy From School and Big Boss Blues.
For more than three years in the heart of downtown Holland, Our Brewing has offered up 20 taps, a “bring your own food” vibe and a cozy performance spot for live weekly music. Check out the latest in the Local Spins series on unique West Michigan music venues and take a video mini-tour of the brewpub.
Getting folks “watching and talking about new music.” That’s the goal of Michigan artists — from Valentiger to The Bootstrap Boys to the Appleseed Collective — who’ve submitted video entries into this year’s Tiny Desk Concert contest sponsored by NPR. Read the back story and check out the video entries here.
West Michigan faves Borns, The Accidentals and Pop Evil have boosted their exposure with songs used in current television commercials. In the New Millennium, placements in commercials, movies and TV shows are a growing and ever more important part of a musician’s arsenal. Read the story behind this trend and check out the commercials.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
After 35 years, heavy metal mainstays Anthrax are still on the road and play Grand Rapids’ Orbit Room on Sunday night with headliner Lamb of God. The band also has a new album on the way. Check out the interview by Local Spins writer Brian J. Bowe.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE in-studio guests gave things some punk wallop in Studio X, plus new tracks from Public Access, Dede & The Dreamers, Miriam Pico, Blue Water Ramblers and much more. Read the story, listen to the radio podcast, check out the exclusive video of I Believe in Julio’s on-air performance.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
Kari Lynch returns to West Michigan this week to play the Local Spins Wednesdays series at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids (Aug. 24). Read the story about her Nashville experience and upcoming new album, then check out an exclusive Local Spins video of a new Lynch song.
Album reviews · Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
With its sophomore album being unveiled Thursday at Founders Brewing, the alt-country-styled Grand Rapids band has enhanced its sound with a drummer, diverse songs and a harmony-driven vibe. Learn about the band’s journey, listen to the radio podcast and watch the video of a new song.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Ann Arbor-based band with Traverse City roots plays Rockford Brewing this week after releasing an album that was recorded in basements, garages and bedrooms across Michigan. Read the feature story and check out Dede and The Dreamers’ distinctive music.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Guitarist, Dobro-meister and mandolinist Mark Lavengood brought his solo version of the Bluegrass Bonanza to Local Spins on WYCE, with Scott and Molly Schultz of Vox Vidorra adding soul to the radio show. Listen to the full radio podcast and check out the video at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
The emerging Grand Rapids band is finishing up its debut album at Goon Lagoon studios and plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Read the story about this band’s diverse background, listen to the radio podcast and watch the video.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight · Videos
The Local Spins series focusing on interesting — and sometimes off-the-beaten-path — music venues continues with a look at a popular Grand Haven brewery that hosts shows weekly. Read the story, check out the photos and video, and peruse the upcoming lineup of live music performances.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
East met west when Grand Rapids soul-rock band Vox Vidorra made its Detroit debut at the pop-up venue that closes Friday night with a dance party. Local Spins writer Ricky Olmos traveled with the band to the Motor City to document the whole experience. Check out the story, photo gallery and video.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids rapper talks about her gang background, her move to Grand Rapids, her current projects and performs several songs in-studio with DJ Dean Martian and J. Rob in this exclusive Local Spins session. Check out the story, video and full podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Videos
The celebrated Holland teen who fronts Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe hosts a CD-release show at SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night, with a major out-of-state tour lying ahead.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Winter Wheat set a record for attendance on Saturday while lining up all-star bands in fiery performances on two stages for nearly 12 hours on Saturday at The Intersection. Soak up the vibe from this special event in this Local Spins recap, photo gallery and video highlights.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Live · Podcasts · Videos
With his band finishing up its third album, Jake Kalmink also brings other artists’ “vision to life” in the studio. He debuted a new song live on the air this week for Local Spins Live. Check out the video and podcast; The Fever Haze plays Grand Rapids on Thursday night.
Artist Spotlights · Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Vox Vidorra’s “Promise Land” and Hardin’s “Magnolia” showcase different genres, but both boast brilliant songwriting, performances and production to top a banner year for West Michigan music. Read the story behind these recordings, then check out videos and audio samples from the award-winning albums.
Album reviews · Local Spins on WYCE · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Last week, it was the Local Spins critics’ picks. This week, West Michigan musicians and bands present their choices for the best music and concerts of 2015, both local and national — with audio and video clips from the selected artists. Some of the picks will surprise and inspire you.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Grand Rapids’ much-adored ska ensemble uncorked another rollicking holiday affair for an ebullient bunch in the main showroom while American WiFi got poppy in the front lounge for its first-ever Christmas bash. Check out the photo gallery and video.
With a powerful, poignant and catchy new EP inspired by her mother’s death, Jax Anderson is ready to take her ultra-collaborative, attention-getting Flint Eastwood project to a broader regional and national audience. Read the Local Spins interview with this compelling Detroit artist.
Artist Spotlights · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Billy Strings & Don Julin played one of their few remaining Michigan shows Friday at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up, the day after Billy Strings lit up One Trick Pony in a surprise gig with his dad. Check out the photo gallery from both shows.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins on WYCE guest talked about his musical journey and performed in-studio. Read the story, watch the video and listen to the full radio show podcast, featuring new tracks from Michigan artists Flint Eastwood, Valley Girl, Otis Blueswell Jr. and more.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
The hard-driving, female-fronted Grand Rapids blues band working on its second EP is one of four regional acts playing a West Michigan Blues Society benefit on Sunday at Billy’s Lounge. Read the feature story, listen to the radio podcast and watch the video of an acoustic performance.
Features · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Led Zeppelin, The Band, Jimi Hendrix and The Velvet Underground get heartfelt thanks from Michigan bands, but there are plenty of surprises – and a bunch of local artists – on this bountiful banquet table, too, from G’itis Baggs to Lady Ace Boogie. Check out the full list, with videos of the featured bands.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Members of the Grand Rapids band are still stretching outside their ‘comfort zones’ with dynamic songs that they’re now releasing as singles one at a time. They play New Holland Brewing in Holland on Friday. Read the story and check out the new videos of this distinctive West Michigan group.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
May Erlewine, Rachael Davis and Lindsay Lou join forces in the indie-folk trio that plays four Michigan venues this week, with an eye toward recording their first studio album. Read the back story, check the show schedule and view a video from their only previous performance — a truly inspiring one.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
It was a week for new albums, and new or revamped bands in West Michigan. Check out all the images, including The Bootstrap Boys, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, The Trash Hounds, Hannah Rose & The GravesTones, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band and more in these Local Spins photo galleries and show recaps, plus two videos.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Tyler Bradley talks about his music and unveils two new songs during this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also features new tracks by Bennett, Lipstick Jodi, Rival Maps and more. Listen to the radio podcast and check out the video of Bradley performing a new song.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Shifting from the rock, folk and pop of past projects, Grand Rapids musicians Jake Stilson, Jon Pataky, Nick Alexander and Josh McBryde now revel in pure country, with a new EP in hand. They play The Pyramid Scheme on Friday. Check out the video and listen to the Local Spins Live radio podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids folk-rockers The Muteflutes are preparing to record a new album this winter. They gave fans a sneak peek into two new songs during Local Spins on WYCE. Listen to the radio podcast, including new tracks by regional acts.
Audio · Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
The extraordinary, unique event returns to Eastown with 33 diverse performances, plus classes and workshops, all unfolding in three homes. Get the lowdown here and check out Local Spins’ “five acts to catch” at Lamp Light 2015.
Many of Halloween’s costume-bedecked spectacles on Saturday will be fueled by electronic dance music, so Local Spins asked a Grand Rapids DJ to concoct a mesmerizing Top 10 EDM playlist to get the parties started early. Check out his picks in video and on Spotify.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Episode No. 59 of Local Spins on WYCE was a special Fund Drive affair, with an in-studio performance by Shane Tripp and the debut of songs by Jared Sjoblom, Frederic & Ronza and many more regional acts. Listen to the full radio podcast and check out the video of an acoustic in-studio performance.
Local Spins opens up its screening room to showcase a diverse collection of videos by Michigan artists with plenty to offer for the eyes as well as the ears. The Go Rounds, The Verve Pipe and Kari Lynch lead the way with compelling new videos, boasting some familiar settings and faces. Check out this October video roundup.
With a new album, an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and a string of sold-out concerts in New York City and beyond, West Michigan native Garrett Borns may be on the verge of becoming a bona fide pop phenomenon. Read Local Spins’ exclusive back-stage interview and check out the photo gallery from a recent concert in The Big Apple.
With Michigan House running a pop-up ArtPrize venue to tout local music, art and products, Local Spins asked organizer Ted Velie for his Top 10 list of songs. Not surprisingly, they’re all Michigan acts, from Flint Eastwood to The White Stripes.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
A Michigan country jamboree and The Avett Brothers kick things off this weekend, with Porterhouse Presents also offering up Charles Bradley, Ozomatli, Billy Strings, silent discos, food and beer on the site. Get the scoop on this new outdoor venue, and view (and save) the opening weekend schedule.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Michigan singer-songwriter with roots in Grand Rapids brings his new “Outlier” album to SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday, with a Midwest and East Coast tour on tap. Read the story behind this emerging indie-folk artist and listen to a song from the new album.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Relocating recently from East Lansing, the band now plays every Monday night at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, reveling in West Michigan’s fast-growing and collaborative jam-band scene. Check out the video and WYCE radio podcast.
Guest Column · Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Guest columnist Mark Lavengood, better known as the resonator guitar whiz in Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, waxes eloquent about this weekend’s musician-rich Earthwork Harvest Gathering and why it’s a world-class affair. And listen to a Local Spins playlist of songs by Michigan artists playing this year’s festival.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Phil Barry and Sarah Fuerst, members of The Corn Fed Girls, are working on a full-length album and will bring their new duo to Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday. Read the story about this talented duo and check out the video of a harmony-laden in-studio performance for Local Spins on WYCE.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
Parking lots and seating areas were jam-packed Friday as Michigan’s Wheatland Music Festival launched three days of folk, roots music and more outside Remus. Read the roundup of the festival’s first day, and check out the photo gallery and video.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weekend’s stunning array of shows by national and local acts paced an entire week of invigorating live music as Labor Day 2015 approaches. It’s all highlighted in a Local Spins recap, with photo galleries and videos.
Playlists · Upcoming shows · Videos
Grand Rapids’ uber-energetic “black-tie garage rockers” have uncorked a new album. But Jesse Ray and Josh Worsham also have taken time to offer Local Spins their playlist of favorite tunes, including The Rolling Stones and Gary Clark Jr. and local faves such as The Crane Wives and Joe Hertler.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter who grew up on the West Side has generated a major buzz for his recent single and video, with more to come as he works with a Grammy-winning recording engineer in the Windy City. Check out the video for his first single.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
With release of a new album Saturday at Founders Brewing, the Grand Rapids folk-rock band is poised to build a national audience and live the dream. Check out the story and the exclusive in-studio performance via video and podcast. Consider it a sneak preview of Saturday’s show.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos · Videos
The Accidentals, with help from singer-songwriter and Michigan native Marshall Crenshaw, stole the show during the final Tuesday Evening Music Club show of the summer at Meijer Gardens. Check out the photos and video highlights from a night that celebrated regional music.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts · Videos
With thousands of attendees reveling in sets by some of Michigan’s biggest stars, last weekend’s Hoxeyville was a true celebration of ‘the good stuff’ — most of it by regional acts. Read the story and check out the photos and video.
