Back for the 2021 shopping season, Local Spins’ gift guide offers ideas for the music lover on your list: local products supporting Michigan’s music scene with a bevy of uique gifts bearing a tuneful vibe.
Local and Musical: That’s the theme of this year’s Local Spins Gift Guide.
Holiday shopping has become very complicated and confusing, especially amid a coronavirus pandemic that continues to rear its ugly head, which is further hampered by those pesky “supply chain” issues that have stalled shipments from overseas.
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West Michigan's music scene
Well, Local Spins aims to simplify it all for you with our 2021 holiday shopping guide that emphasizes “local” — and showcases Michigan-based offerings for the music lovers on your list.
And a word of caution: It’s Dec. 1. That means there are only 24 shopping days left till Christmas, so let’s get cracking folks. Happy Holidays!
FOR LIVE MUSIC AND ART LOVERS
Venues big and small have felt the ongoing and seemingly never-ending effects of COVID-19. Give your music-loving friends and family a fashionable gift that allows them to show their support for local music. Or purchase tickets for an upcoming show. Here are just a couple venues to consider; pick your favorite West Michigan live music hot spot and share the love.
St. Cecilia Music Center — Entertaining crowds since 1883, this long-standing venue offers a diverse lineup of artists — jazz to folk to classical — from around the world and our own backyard. The tagline for the legendary West Michigan institution’s merch is simple and evocative: “Music Lives Here.” Order now for pickup in early December.
Price: $20-$25 for T-shirts; $35 hoodies; $45-$55 concert tickets
Link: http://scmc-online.org/gift-shop/ for gifts; http://scmc-online.org/ for tickets
Kalamazoo State Theatre — In addition to supporting this historic venue, a portion of proceeds from online merch sales also helps to support the Michigan Music Alliance, a program focused on providing Michigan musicians with business education programming and community-building opportunities.
Price: $22 for beanies; $42 for handmade mugs; $50 for zippered hoodies; $25-plus for concert tickets
Link: https://kazoo-state-shop.square.site/
Seven Steps Up — This intimate Spring Lake listening room has long hosted acoustically pleasing concerts by nationally acclaimed touring artists and regional singer-songwriters. It offers limited-edition T-shirts, note cards, coffee mugs and even bracelets for the music devotee on your Christmas list. Oh, and a robust roster of upcoming shows.
Price: $25-$29 for T-shirts; $24 for ‘skinny cuff’ bracelets; $12 for coffee mugs; $25-$55 for tickets
Link: https://sevenstepsup.com/products for gift shop; https://sevenstepsup.com/calendar for concert tickets
Culture Pass GR — Brought to you by Experience GR, this unique adventure pass is the ultimate ticket to explore some of Grand Rapids finest art and culture. For just $24, you can gain admission to many attractions around the city, also including exclusive discounts. Some of the attractions include (but not limited to) the Grand Rapids African American Museum And Archives, Urban Institute For Contemporary Arts (UICA) and John Ball Zoo. Exclusive discounts are offered to Opera Grand Rapids, Circle Theatre, Broadway Grand Rapids and many more.
Price: $20-$24
Link: https://www.experiencegr.com/culture-pass/
FOR RECORD BUFFS
It’s worth repeating: Stay local for your holiday purchases of recorded music. Here are three West Michigan retailers to consider, and remember, gift cards always bring a smile on Christmas Day.
Back when Record Store Day was a thing. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Corner Record Shop – This Grandville shop has a massive inventory of new and used vinyl, cassettes and vintage audio gear.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/cornerrecordshop
Vertigo Music – A staple for Grand Rapids music fans, Vertigo Music is a wonderland of recorded media, new and used. Its sprawling aisles cater to any taste, and the thrill of hunting for sonic treasure is a gift that extends beyond space and time. Curate your own gift combo, or choose a gift card.
Link: https://www.vertigomusiconline.com/
Green Light Music — Kalamazoo’s version of record central has great online offerings, from releases you can pre-order to featured albums for purchase.
Link: https://greenlightmusickalamazoo.com/
Blackie’s Radio & TV — Vinyl has experienced a drastic resurgence in recent years. Give the gift of a crackling needle on smooth vinyl. Blackie’s in Grand Rapids offers a number of refurbished/used turntables, amps and speakers.
Price: Varies
Link: https://m.yelp.com/biz/blackies-radio-and-tv-grand-rapids
Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs – Hearing is once in a lifetime. So are concerts. Merge the best of both worlds with stylish yet ample ear protection. These filtering earplugs block out the bad stuff while allowing you to still enjoy the nuances of live music as it unfolds before you.
Price: $23.98
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WPOQSG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MPH8YGNN4K78FRRAGME9
JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth Speaker — Gone are the days of carrying a boombox on your shoulder. Now you can have a speaker that’s a fraction of the size, virtually indestructible and waterproof. Bring your wireless music maker to the beach, to shower karaoke, or poolside hangs. JBL does an excellent job of continually improving their Bluetooth game, and the Charge 4 is no exception. Compact, stylish, with a punch to pack.
Price: $129.25
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HKQ6YGX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7KRNZYYEBX8HDGGKP5YM
JAM5 High Fidelity Bluetooth Speaker — Here’s another option for experiencing “your music just as the artists intended.” Some people still are not comfortable hanging out in a crowded space and are missing the major feelings we catch from the full-body experience of a soaring guitar melody, a crisp downbeat of a snare or a warm soothing vocal line licking up the back of their neck. So when a speaker can emulate that and you can get your hi-fi chills from the comfort of your own couch or the middle of a desolate island, what could be better? Seeing your favorite musical act in person, for sure, but this JAM5 portable speaker from Trulli might be the next best thing.
Price: $199
Link: https://www.trulliaudio.com/us/en/speakers/jam5/overview
FOR ‘SHOP LOCAL’ MUSIC MAVENS
Rebel (1555 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids) — Deck the halls with beloved musicians from Stevie Nicks, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, to Beyonce, Lizzo and Justin Timberlake. This popular gift shop offers a variety of pop culture icons in Christmas tree ornament form, with styles ranging from vintage to modern. Visit the store in-person for the widest variety. Rebel also features a variety of “Nod to the Mitten” products from the Great Lakes State.
Price: Starting at $12.95
Link: rebelgr.com
Michigan Acts: Showcased in the 2022 Calendar.
Local Spins 2022 Calendars – Of course, we couldn’t publish a gift guide without highlighting our own Michigan-centric gems. These dashing 2022 calendars not only feature resplendent concert photos of more than two dozen Michigan bands and solo artists (taken by our incredible staff of shooters), but list 2022 Michigan music festival dates. And they’re printed right here in Grand Rapids, at the stellar Brownlee Press in downtown Grand Rapids.
Price: $15 for one; $25 for 2
Link: https://localspins.com/product/local-spins-2022-calendars/ (Calendars also available during concerts at Listening Room in downtown Grand Rapids and at Michigan Music Alliance events.)
‘Support Michigan Music’ Merchandise – The nonprofit Michigan Music Alliance offers T-shirts, pins, patches, stickers, hoodies and masks that give the Michigan music aficionados on your list a unique way to show off their love for Mitten State artists.
Price: $20-$22 for T-shirts, $35 for hoodies, $5 for masks, $5 for stickers
Link: https://www.michiganmusicalliance.org/shop (Merch also available at Guitar Haven in Grand Haven.)
FOR DOWNLOAD DEVOTEES
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, artists have been hit particularly hard. With touring pulled from under them, they’ve had to rely solely on record and merch sales. Bandcamp provides a direct line for purchasing merch, allocating more profits to the makers behind the work. Not only does Bandcamp make it easy for artists to offer their music online but it frequently hosts special Fridays when Bandcamp relinquishes its share of purchase proceeds to the artists themselves. For Michigan artist and album purchase ideas, check out recent Michigan album reviews at Local Spins here.
Bandcamp Gift Cards – Literally, hundreds of Michigan artists have tracks and albums available on the website, so purchasing a gift card for the music lover on your list is an investment in local music.
Price: $10-$100 per gift card.
Link: https://bandcamp.com/gift_cards
FOR MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING
For some, the pandemic has given them the time to pick up an instrument for the first time or expand their gear inventory as they explore new musical boundaries. Consider a gift card or a set of lessons for your emerging musician. And there’s no better time to go local for the expertise that these independent shops can provide. Plus, there’s a recommended book for artists to “make it in the music business.”
Guitar Haven (Courtesy Photo)
Guitar Haven, 17 N. 7th St. Grand Haven – Owned by Jon Shears (Roosevelt Diggs), this comfortable shop is billed as “a place to rediscover and fall in love with music.” Guitar Haven buys, sells, consigns, offers repairs and also hosts lessons.
Price: Varies
Link: https://guitarhavengh.com/
Firehouse Guitars, 3125 28th St., Grandville – Started back in 1997 by Matthew Chilvers and Tim Adrianson, Firehouse has a full line of musical instruments and sound equipment, as well as offering lessons, repairs and rentals.
Price: Varies
Link: https://www.firehouseguitars.com/
R.I.T. Music Central, 3150 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids – Locally owned for more than 25 years, this relocated store in the Plainfield Plaza Shopping Center touts a full line of instruments and equipment, as well as a lesson program. There’s also a R.I.T. Music in downtown Holland, at 74 E. 8th St.
Price: Varies
Link: https://www.facebook.com/RITmusicGR/ and https://www.hollandrit.com/
How To Make It in the New Music Business – This book by Ari Herstand offers “practical tips on building a loyal following and making a living as a musician.” It’s an in-depth guide to navigating the perils of the current-day music industry, making an apt gift for any determined musician you know.
Price: $17.41
LinK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631494791/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_9ZPWJ7PJD0DNNBPQQGV8
Copyright 2021, Spins on Music LLC
