Bless You Boys, Drew Nelson, The Mighty Narwhale, Ralston Bowles, The New Midwest.
All past winners of my Local Spin of the Year award, and all impressive examples of West Michigan’s burgeoning musical talent.
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The same goes for this year’s winners of the award: The Crane Wives, for their debut album, “Safe Ship, Harbored,” and The Fuzzrites, for their debut recording, “Baby Cakes.”
With stellar harmonies and a rare brand of musical camaraderie, both bands – The Crane Wives playing rootsy, Americana-styled folk-rock; The Fuzzrites with their throwback garage rock – boast a special sound that could well translate into a regional or national audience as they embark on tours later this year.
(The Fuzzrites already are on Nashville’s Spinout Records label run by Eddie Angel, and guitarist Dick Chiclet says record sales have been solid.)
On Saturday, I presented both bands with their awards – one to the Crane Wives at the Winter Wheat folk showcase/benefit at The Intersection and the other to Chiclet prior to the Detroit Lions’ playoff game broadcast.
And both are West Michigan bands to watch in 2012.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkKtTqdpcgg&w=640&h=480]Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com
