With several “ties,” the latest chart actually features seven fresh releases by Michigan-bred artists, from indie-rock to world music to singer-songwriter charm.
Unfurling an Album That’s ‘A Warm Hug’: Lindsay Lou (Photo/Anna Sink)
SCROLL DOWN FOR HOT TOP 5 PLAYLIST, LINDSAY LOU VIDEO
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Lindsay Lou regards her new album, “Queen of Time,” as “a warm hug to anyone going through a transformative time, experiencing grief and discovering the secrets of their own hearts.”
Clearly, that message resonates with plenty of listeners and radio programmers because “Queen of Time” shot straight to No. 1 on the Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart for October, representing the album by a Michigan-based or Michigan-bred artist that received the most airplay on Grand Rapids’ WYCE (88.1 FM).
“Michigan people are who supported me during my most formative days on this path, when I was honing in on my craft and finding my voice,” she told Local Spins this week. “To have this community still at my back feels precious to me.”
The album recorded in Nashville reflects the “natural and organic continuation of the direction I was headed when I made ‘Ionia’ and then ‘Southland’ (with the Flatbellys),” said Lindsay Lou, a native of the Upper Peninsula. “It’s very ‘me,’ but not so much so that it can’t be yours, too.”
The collection melding elements of bluegrass, pop, country and Americana features a duet on “Nothing’s Working” with homegrown bluegrass star Billy Strings, who just wowed a capacity crowd with his Halloween homecoming show at Van Andel Arena, as well as a collaboration with Dobro whiz Jerry Douglas.
“I like to dream about a day when Billy is asked to talk about me in most of his interviews,” she quipped.
“Honestly though, Jerry and Billy can both be thanked for turning on a new generation and a new scene to bluegrass music, and carrying on a tradition founded on innovation with style, sincerity and class. It was sweet to have them on my album.”
Lindsay Lou kicks off a Southern run of shows today (Nov. 7) with Kalamazoo progressive bluegrass powerhouse Greensky Bluegrass before heading to Mexico for the Strings and Sol festival. In 2024, she heads overseas to the United Kingdom, where she’ll also tour with Douglas.
Interestingly, Lindsay Lou’s bandmate in the Sweet Water Warblers super-group — northern Michigan’s May Erlewine — took the No. 1 spot on the Hot Top 5 Chart just the month before with her latest album, “The Real Thing.”
October’s chart represented a complete overhaul of the Hot Top 5, with a completely new set of albums making their debut.
West Michigan rock and blues duo Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish entered the chart at No. 2 with their latest album, “Sick-N-Tired,” followed by the latest releases from Whorled and Low Phase (tied at No. 3), The Fabulous Vans and Samil & Wills Piff (tied at No. 4) and Justin Avdek at No. 5.
Listen to tracks from all of the releases below.
THE LOCAL SPINS HOT TOP 5 ON SPOTIFY: October 2023
VIDEO: Lindsay Lou, “I Can Help”
Billy Swan Cover Appearing on “Queen of Time”
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