Local Spins’ first Guest Playlist for June comes courtesy of West Michigan’s Delilah DeWylde, who offers up a roster of tasty, relatively obscure, retro-fired musical nuggets.
Presenting: The Local Spins Guest Playlist
The calendar might not reflect it, but summer — and all that outdoor music mayhem — has definitely arrived in West Michigan.
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Delilah DeWylde fronts the Lost Boys. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
That makes the latest installment of the Local Spins Guest Playlist, compiled by singer and multi-instrumentalist Delilah DeWylde (of Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys and The Veloras) a special summer treat, a delectable flurry of retro-fired, lesser-known tunes, including selections from local faves The Concussions and the True Falsettos.
As DeWylde puts it, “I think it’s no secret that most of what I listen to isn’t ‘modern,’ but here you go!”
(Fans can catch DeWylde & The Lost Boys in Grand Ledge on June 12 as part of the Grand Ledge Concert Series, in Muskegon on June 13 at Harbor Cinema, and June 19 in Hudsonville as part of the Hudsonville Summer Concert Series in Veterans Park. For more shows and details, visit delilahdewylde.com.)
THE LOCAL SPINS GUEST PLAYLIST: DELILAH DEWYLDE
1. “The Iron Giant,” The Concussions (from “Introducing the Concussions,” 2004) – The Concussions are probably my favorite local band. I love everything they do. It’s hard to narrow down just one album, much less one song, but I never get tired of this one. It’s a little bit of everything they do so well; guitar tones, shifting rhythm and melodies, and even a little vintage keyboard. Without any vocals, one can really appreciate the musicianship and recording techniques. Their music can lift any bad mood.
Listen to “The Iron Giant”: http://theconcussions.com/audio.html
2. “Tough Lover,” Nick Curran (from “Reform School Girl,” 2012) – The Lost Boys have always admired Nick Curran, it was a great loss when he passed away in 2012. One song I love to always go back to is “Tough Lover.” It features, of course, his great vocals and guitar, plus a sweet sax solo. He’s got kind of a Little Richard thing happening, but all his own style. You can really hear how he loved life and loved music. I always feel like I’m at a party when putting on his records. They are great for our road trips too.
3. “Heaven,” Robyn Hitchcock (from “Fegmania!,” 1985) – I didn’t discover this song until around 1993, and I’ve loved it ever since. I’m a total Robyn freak;I’ve loved his stuff since I first heard it. This song has an uplifting vibe to it, and it’s still a little twangy and bouncy despite being one of his more poppy and polished songs. Wiki describes Robyn the best: “(His) lyrics tend to include surrealism, comedic elements, characterizations of English eccentrics and melancholy depictions of everyday life.” Ha! Exactly.
4. “I Don’t Know Why I Love You,” The House of Love (from the second “The House of Love” album, 1990) – I’ve really loved this song (and band) through the years. Guy Chadwick is one of my favorite singers of all time. I only wished I’d seen this London band live just once. This song is Brit power pop at its best. I love to put on their “best of” album for moments of self-reflection and pure pop appreciation. Makes me feel like 1990 wasn’t that long ago.
5. “Movin’ to Virginia,” Split Lip Rayfield (from “Never Make it Home,” 2001) – This entire album is great. Lost Boys were lucky enough to open for SLR for their first show in 2004. This song really shows off their songwriting talent, their humor, vocal harmony talent and supreme musicianship. Love to sing along with the chorus. These Wichita, Kansas, guys are one of the best non-trad bluegrass (“thrash-grass”?) bands out there and I never get tired of them. (“Never make it Home,” the title track, is a close second-favorite SLR song.)
Delilah DeWylde with Jeff Eaton, left, of Split Lip Rayfield.
6. “Dedicated Follower of Fashion,” The Kinks (1966) – The Kinks are one of my favorite 1960s British bands. I love the lightheartedness of this song; it’s got a whimsical vibe that’s just a lot of fun. It’s included on a lot of their later albums, and of course, the “Best Of” catalog. It’s not as “loud” as some other songs they are known for, but that doesn’t make it any less effective as a solid rock/pop song.
7. “Don’t Make Me Dream About You,” Chris Isaak (from “Heart Shaped World,” 1989) – I never tire of Chris Isaak and his rockin’ band. I was lucky enough to meet him once at one of his shows, along with his bass player Rowland (Roly) Salley. Chris and I share a birthday, which I think is pretty cool. This song (and album) remind me what it’s like to be in love with someone who doesn’t love you. Which makes me appreciate getting older and all the love I do have now.
8. “Maybe Baby,” Buddy Holly and the Crickets (1957) – There are so many Buddy songs I love and we cover this one occasionally. It’s one of those songs that sounds simple, but really isn’t your typical three-chord rockabilly song. Buddy had such an innovative way of writing, playing and singing. I love how drummer Jerry Allison really makes the fills stand out in a cool way.
9. “Can’t Stop a Train,” The Derailers (from “Reverb Deluxe,” 1997) – I think this is the best song The Derailers ever wrote. When I first taught myself how to play guitar, I learned the chords for this one on an acoustic. I think I saw them live at the old Intersection back in the mid ’90s and had no idea there was this huge Bakersfield revival thing happening. Seeing them really changed my musical life. I love the heartfelt twangy-ness of this song.
10. “Snatchin’ and Grabbin’,” True Falsettos (from “Slummin’,” 2012). True Falsettos are a Traverse-City area swing duo featuring Joe Wilson and Kevin Gills. When I listen to Joe sing and play, it reminds me of the times he sat in with us, and also how unbelievably talented these two are. I’ve learned a lot about 30’s/40’s jazz and swing from these guys. This song is super upbeat and makes me smile every time.
Listen to “Snatchin’ and Grabbin'”: http://www.allmusic.com/song/snatchin-and-grabbin-mt0049464176
Want to submit your summer playlist to Local Spins? Post it in the comments or email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
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