Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
In another exclusive video performance and interview, Traverse City’s hottest trio talks about being on the road as minors, an upcoming new studio album and being ‘socially awkward.’ And check out in-studio performances of brand new unreleased songs.
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.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
Playing Rockford Brewing tonight (Friday) with his band, the drummer and guitarist continues to churn out catchy pop-rock. Watch a video of a new song and listen to the radio podcast of Local Spins on WYCE No. 40 with the debut of new tracks by Peat in the Creel, Bong Mountain, Rochelle & The Spoilers and more.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Michael Boxer and Laura Crosswait, formerly known as Fiddleface, already have one album under their belts with another in the works. They play Rockford Brewing on Thursday night. Read the back story about this fast-emerging band and check out an exclusive video of a new song.
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.
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.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
LaFarge brings a national tour with his band in support of a new album, “Something in the Water” – and his vintage, stylistic authenticity – to Grand Rapids’ Pyramid Scheme this week. Read the Local Spins interview with Brian J. Bowe.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
With so many “killer” grooves and “mind-blowing” sounds shaped in a Kalamazoo studio, the Grand Rapids folk-rock band decides to drop not one but two CDs, with first out in late August. And check out a video for their new song, “Turn Out the Lights.”
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids drummer turned troubadour has gotten well-deserved attention for his solo work, with planning for another studio album under way. Read the story and check out the video and Local Spins Live radio podcast.
Inspired by Hayley Williams, singer Tonia Broucek fronts the fast-emerging pop-punk band that aims to release its first full-length album this summer. Read by the story by Nolan Krebs and check out the video of an acoustic performance by the band.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
Viewers voted Tuesday to send both singers on to the next round after Frederickson soared up the iTunes chart with a May Erlewine song and Davis scored big with The Beatles. Read the back story and watch the video.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Videos
Local Spins’ third anniversary celebration in May will feature shows by some of our readers’ favorite bands, all of whom have much-anticipated new albums on the way. See which other Michigan acts ranked high among reader favorites and find out who won our Local Spins gift packages.
Michigan’s favorite musical son advances once again in the NBC singing competition, giving a shout-out to his mother in the process. Read the story and check out the video of his performance this week.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Episode No. 35 of Local Spins on WYCE was a rollicking double-header with in-studio performances by The Appleseed Collective and Moxieville, plus a chat with Craig “Griff” Griffith of the GR Musician Collective. The show also debuted a song by his duo, The ElectroCats, Grand Rapids jazz singer Kathy LaMar and northern Michigan’s Crazy Chestur. Listen to the entire podcast and check out a video of The Appleseed Collective’s performance.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
After performing a Tom Petty tune on Tuesday, Traverse City’s Joshua Davis moves on to the Top 8 after an “instant save” by America. Earlier, he publicly thanked his Michigan fans. Read the story and information about watch parties being held Monday in Grand Rapids and Lansing.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grand Rapids trio has ‘fun no matter what.’ The band known for its lively shows and story-telling plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night as part of the Local Spins Wednesdays series. Read the back story about the group and check out the video.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Lippies were this week’s in-studio guests delivering acoustic renditions of their feminist pop-punk, with the show also featuring song debuts by Brother Adams, Vox Vidorra, Black Monuments, Puzzlecuts and more. Listen to the radio podcast, watch the video, read the story.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
There were lots of musical goodies to devour the week after Easter, including Michigan acts Asamu Johnson, E Minor, The Extra Texture, Shane Tripp, Desmond Jones, and a ton of others at Jake’s Music Festival, including PotatoeBabies and Sext Farm. Check out the photo gallery and video.
The Traverse City-based singer-songwriter gets “saved by America” in voting by viewers as revealed on the NBC reality show. Check out the video from his performance in the live rounds. The show resumes Monday.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
To show support for the Earthwork Music artist, the Grand Rapids Community Media Center has organized a live simulcast of the TV reality show this week, and supporters urge fans to vote for Davis. Get details here.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Easter week yielded an intriguing mix of performances around West Michigan, from Darlingside and Tall Heights in Spring Lake to South of Wealthy Trio in Rockford to the Mike G’s birthday bash and the annual LadyFest GR celebration. Check out the photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The up-and-coming Grand Rapids country singer opens for Eric Paslay at The Intersection tonight, with a new album set for release this summer. Read the Local Spins interview, with Rivers’ take on songwriting, collaborating with other artists and performing across Michigan. (Story, podcast, video)
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The 30th edition of the radio show that spotlights West Michigan’s music got up close and personal with the rootsy, Dead-like Bigfoot Buffalo from Grand Rapids, who made their in-studio, on-air debut. And it debuted new tracks from several regional acts. (Podcast, video)
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.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Much of the week’s musical hoopla was about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day early, from An Dro and David Molinari playing SpeakEZ Lounge mid-week to Sam Hunt entertaining a capacity crowd at The Intersection to upwards of 20,000 emerald-clad beer drinkers heating up Saturday’s Irish on Ionia in downtown Grand Rapids. But there was more. Check out the photo gallery and video highlights from Irish on Ionia and other music-driven celebrations.
Friends say Thunder Chicken bassist Wil Lucy was a loving, ‘kind-hearted guy’ who died unexpectedly. And Davis performed another Dylan tune on “The Voice” with impressive results while his blind audition song hit the Billboard charts. Watch the video.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With northern Michigan’s Joshua Davis getting a hero’s welcome on his return to Traverse City this week based on his impressive run on “The Voice,” Local Spins revisits the Guest Playlist he compiled just before heading into the Battle Rounds in March. Check out some of his favorite songs, including tunes by local fave Jen Sygit and icons ranging from Joni Mitchell to Bob Dylan to Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
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.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Thousands braved bitter cold to drink beer and listen to music outdoors — some dressed in wild costumes — while others stayed indoors to revel in EDM, soul, hip hop, blues and rock. Check out the full photo gallery and some video snippets of the past week’s musical action.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
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.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
With an intriguing blend of influences, from The Talking Heads to Animal Collective, the emerging West Michigan band whose debut EP was a Jammie Award finalist for best album by a new artist plays The Pyramid Scheme on Friday and is eyeing a follow-up album in 2015. (Video, podcast)
Breaking music news · Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Ghost Heart, Seth Bernard, Hannah Rose Graves & Justin Wierenga, Dante Cope, Alexis and Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish shared the award spotlight during a jam-packed Intersection show on Friday. See the full list of winners, photo gallery and videos.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
With the Jammie Awards being unleashed tonight, nominee and Big Dudee Roo frontman Max Lockwood offers up his batch of favorite songs, a diverse list spanning decades — from Pearl Jam to Gustav Mahler to Curtis Mayfield.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
An under-the-radar vintage country act drew an unusual, mammoth crowd in Grand Rapids, but the week also boasted other gems: Elliott Brood, Lady Ace Boogie, The Main Squeeze, AGO, Big Dudee Roo, Dan Rickabus, The Moonrays and more. Check out all the photos and mini-reviews at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Videos
GVSU students create a short and impressive documentary celebrating the players, venues and studios which boost the region’s burgeoning music scene. Watch the video here. And Rhiannon Giddens is launching a tour behind her new solo album and will play Grand Rapids April 24 with singer Bhi Bhiman.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
There’s the touching Mary Free Bed tale of Bob Bernard, and a special performance by Seth & May, plus so much more in images and video at Local Spins. From Spring Lake to Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor, and from EDM to pop-rock to folk, West Michigan musicians made a joyful noise this week.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
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.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
From hip hop to atmospheric rock to jazz, West Michigan rolled out shows big and small, including Beast in the Field, The Soul Syndicate, Downie, Fly Paper, Mid-Life Crisis and more. (Photos, videos)
Local Spins on WYCE · Photos · Podcasts · Videos
Edition No. 22 of Local Spins on WYCE featured an in-studio performance by folk-rock’s Watching for Foxes, with song debuts by SoundIsRed, Willamena, Downie, The Soul Syndicate and more. And an update on the condition of musician Olivia Mainville, who was injured in a car crash later the same day.
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Downie’s CD-release show on Friday at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre will celebrate iconic female songwriters as well as original material from her third album. (Podcast, video)
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
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.
Features · Podcasts · Upcoming shows · Videos
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.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
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.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
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.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Despite chilly temps, thousands crowded Calder Plaza for HOT FM’s annual party, with hundreds more celebrating at SpeakEZ Lounge, Founders, Tip Top Deluxe and Wealthy Theatre. (Photos, review)
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Mentored by veteran musician and producer Mark Lamm, the teen already has opened for a national act and is working on songs for a follow-up album. (Story, podcast, video)
Breaking music news · Features · Podcasts · Videos
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)
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
The guitarist and singer has focused primarily on his solo career while performing across Michigan, but he’s eyeing a full-band project, too. (Story, video, podcast)
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s Local Spins Artist Spotlight shines on a harmony-driven, young and happily ‘weird’ Grand Rapids band releasing its second EP at The Pyramid Scheme on Friday.
