Another spring roundup of recent releases by Michigan artists comes to you courtesy of Local Spins reviewers. Plus, listen to tracks from each album.
Traverse City Mainstay: With a new album, John Richard Paul is performing frequently across northern Michigan. (Courtesy Photo)
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As part of another spring round-up of fresh releases by Michigan acts, Local Spins delves into new music from artists in Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Detroit.
Check out previous Local Spins reviews of Michigan albums online here.
Brent Godfrey
“Twin Flames”
What Stands Out: West Michigan songwriter Brent Godfrey is known for his collaborative spirit with musicians from around the world (utilizing Kompoz) and storytelling on albums that date back to 2013 (in addition to his cigar box guitars). His latest record explores a range of emotions and topics surrounding his wife’s open heart surgery and double mastectomy following a round of chemotherapy to battle breast cancer. This record is a reflection of the love and support for each other that burns as passionately as their desire to distill their lives together into art, while also serving as a vehicle to highlight a wide range of collaborators and instruments on Godfrey’s ever-expanding catalog.
Digging Deeper: With so many records under his belt as a singer, instrumentalist, songwriter and sound engineer, it is clear that Brent Godfrey has found the various tools in his arsenal to realize his creative vision. The commitment to a record detailing such hardship, joy and prose among instrumentation that includes saxophone, dobro, Ebow guitar, sitar and the conventions of a roots-rock band is a motivating blossom in a world of industry weeds stifling creative growth. “Twin Flames” is a reminder that those close to you and those willing to dive into the deep end of a project are worth a consistent, loving commitment.
Perfect For: Anyone going through hardships seeking comfort and clarity through art. – By Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://brentgodfrey.bandcamp.com/
Listen: “Twin Flames”
John Richard Paul
“Midwestern Modesty”
What Stands Out: Longtime morthern Michigan musician released his second album, “Midwestern Modesty” in March, ringing in spring with a slight yearning rasp, bluesy touches, and the true, calm, man-with-a-guitar strums familiar to the ears of anyone who’s visited his quaint-but-growing hometown of Traverse City. From Leelanau to Old Mission, the county is chock-full of one-man-band venues, of which Paul has seen most of through his time playing with Drew Hale, as half of Rhett & John, and beyond. His humble roots don’t just shine through his vulnerable lyrics in “Write About You” and “Dying on the Vine,” but even in the title of the album, nodding at his roots. “Untitled New Song” brings an upbeat touch to the track list, a simple but catchy ditty that points fun at social cues and conversation in modern days, while he’d rather save his words for his songwriting.
Digging Deeper: “Midwestern Modesty” is true to its name: recorded across home studios, Casa Pata, and the historical Traverse City Opera House. It features Shycler Binkley on drums and percussion, Jim Kremidas on Dobro and pedal steel, Diana Ladio on strings, Kyle Wayne Luck on vocals, and Jack M. Senff on harmonica. Even with the impressive collaborations, Paul still shows his true musical range on this album, underlying his soulful vocals with his multi-instrumentalist background, incorporating banjo, bass, guitar, handclaps, piano, and mandolin across the 10-track album. The sound, however, is nowhere near overpronounced, instead showcasing his history with music with humility. The honesty of the lyrics are sure to make every listener leave with a sense of closeness.
Perfect For: Relaxing, reflective and fervent, this music is best enjoyed during calm evenings, watching the sunset over a lake, a hill, or through the rearview mirror in your car. – By Sara Bagley
Website: https://johnrichardpaul.com/
Upcoming Shows: Thursday (May 14) at Artisan Traverse City in Traverse City (Rhett & John); Friday (May 15) at The Parlor in Traverse City (Rhett & John); May 18 at Frnecy Valley Vineyard in Cedar (Rhett & John); May 21 at Stone Hound Brewing in Williamsburg
Listen: “Midwestern Modesty”
Sunnyside Revival
“Look Alive”
What Stands Out: “Look Alive,” the first full project from Detroit-based band Sunnyside Revival, begins its first track with a ship horn (just to make sure you were paying attention), followed by a rhythm section groove strongly rooted in funk elements. Next comes founder Xian Muller’s gravelly, spoken-word vocals, spouting humorous lyrics over punk-influenced guitar. And, finally, in the last half of the song, comes the introduction of the saxophone that will become a mainstay for the remainder of the EP. With several members of Sunnyside Revival having decades of experience playing in punk bands, they describe this post-punk project as a “seasoned yet restless group” in their online bio.
Digging Deeper: While this project doesn’t shy away from dark tones and minor keys, the album as a whole is far from gloomy. The post-punk umbrella covers a lot of adventurous musical territory, but it doesn’t seem like Sunnyside Revival is looking for permission to break boundaries and expectations anyway. Incorporating vocal reverb, fuzzy, layered guitar, and even a combination of saxophone and guitar that could almost be mistaken for bagpipes, the four-piece group creates something fresh and unpredictable. Amid the many musical textures at play, Muller delivers playful and, at times, absurd lyrics with a level of intensity that contrasts with the noisy, cacophonous atmosphere of fun created by such a unique medley of styles.
Perfect For: Punk fans looking for something a bit brighter and highly entertaining. – By Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://sunnysiderevival.bandcamp.com
Listen: “Bootyship Captain”
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