Local Spins spotlights the singer-songwriter and her new songs, while also featuring fresh tracks by Michigander, Seth Bernard, Rip Smidgeon, The Westrins and more.
On a Favorite Stage: Kari Lynch performing Thursday for the Lowell Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts series. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
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As a seasoned songwriter, Kari Lynch believes she’s making “the most honest and best music” of her career – even if it veers a bit from her country roots to embrace traits of pop-rock.
“I think the common thread among all of it is that I always put songwriting first,” said Lynch, a Clare native who launched her career in Grand Rapids about 18 years ago and now works in Nashville.
“Probably the comment I’ve gotten the most is a lot of people who have said, ‘This doesn’t necessarily sound like something so new and different. It sounds like you kind of coming back to yourself. It just sounds like you.’ I just hope that comes across.”
Recent singles such as “HEY!” and “The Let Down” – which will appear on an upcoming new studio album – reflect that emerging vibe, something Lynch says just evinces a musical upbringing that covered a lot of territory along with a passion for songs by artists such as Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt about making music,” she insisted. “If it’s not for everybody, that’s OK. But I hope everybody can find something in it for them, and that they can just look at it as just not necessarily having to fit in a category or fit in a genre.”
Lynch is back in Michigan this month, taking time out from a busy work schedule in Nashville where she collaborates with other songwriters and assists with music videos, artist styling and other roles, all while recording songs for her new album with Nathan Stone at Popryland Studio.
After playing Lowell’s Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts series on Thursday, Lynch will perform on the Felt Estate Carriage House Stage in Holland at 7 p.m. July 30 as part of the Felt Mansion Summer Concert Series.
Thursday’s Scene: Lynch and band playing in Lowell. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
“Is there any better place to be than Michigan in the summertime? I am so excited to be here,” Lynch said. “Love Felt Mansion. I shot a music video there that I put out for a song that I released last year called ‘Sleeping Just Fine.’ So it’s going to be really cool to be able to go back there and allow people to see where the video was shot.”
Thursday’s Lowell show also proved “really cool,” with Lynch’s former guitarist and collaborator Ryder Jones joining the band at the end of the set — complete with an energetic, dual lead guitar battle that left everyone smiling and elated.
Lynch plans to release her new studio album later this year – her first since the Kari Lynch Band released “The Other Side” in 2019, followed by a 2022 EP, “When the World Slows Down, Pt. 1.” She’ll return to her home state this fall, opening for country star Hunter Hayes at Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace on Oct. 22.
“I’ve been keeping real busy,” she conceded. “I’m sure a lot of independent artists would say this: No day is the same. You sort of look at the week at hand, and you’re writing with this person on this day, you’re doing this on this day, you’re out of town these two days, you’re coming home, and just trying to exist as a human being.”
This week’s edition of the Michigan Music Showcase featured Lynch’s two latest singles as well as hosting a live acoustic performance of “The Let Down.” Listen to the songs as part of this week’s radio show podcast below, along with a video of her live performance.
The Michigan Music Showcase also featured fresh tracks from Seth Bernard, Michigander, Christopher Jager, The Westrins, Adam Marth, Rip Smidgeon and Folias Duo.
The Michigan Music Showcase airs at 11 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays on WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org, and on Interlochen Public Radio at 7 p.m. Saturdays. Check out previous show podcasts online here.
PODCAST: Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase (7/24/26)
VIDEO: Kari Lynch, “The Let Down (Live Acoustic for Local Spins)”
PHOTO GALLERY: Kari Lynch Band at Lowell’s Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts
Photos by Eric Stoike
