This late May round-up of Local Spins’ takes on new releases by a half-dozen Michigan artists also includes The Heiden Underground and The Soods. Listen to tracks from each release.
Another Gem from Jordan Hamilton: Part of our May albums round-up. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Hip hop, alt-rock, indie-rock, Americana, folk, jazz and boundary-pushing, tough-to-pigeonhole stuff.
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West Michigan's music scene
All of it bubbles to the surface in this batch of releases by Michigan artists spotlighted by Local Spins writers. Not only do they provide their takes on these albums, but you can listen to tracks from each release and decide for yourself — then check out some of these artists live as they tour the state.
Check out previous album reviews at Local Spins here.
Jordan Hamilton
“Project Freedom”
What Stands Out: Fans of Kalamazoo’s Jordan Hamilton can rejoice in “Project Freedom,” an album that showcases his wide-ranging abilities to utilize his skills as a cellist, emcee/vocalist and producer/writer. On his website, he describes the inspiration stemming from wisdom gleaned from “life’s lessons at home, chasing dreams, living with loss and falling in love. These are the lessons that earned him the ability to move through this world all the more free.” Highlights on this record include “Wisdom Crow,” a song many got to enjoy during Hamilton’s touring last year, and the recently featured “Roses.” making a splash online in a Spotify playlist curated by the New York Times.
Digging Deeper: “Project Freedom” has a lot going for it already, including a well-executed release trail that is already getting looks from industry folks across the internet. Jordan Hamilton has proven to audiences around the region and overseas that he is not only deeply invested in his artistic vision, but willing to create meaningful media that transcends the bounds of a fixed genre. Moody harmonies dusted with a colorful array of samples, syrupy vocals poured thick over pillowy clouds of pancake poetry ready to consume, soaring strings washing over punchy electronic percussion make it an album easy to digest, but one that rewards those who dig in for seconds.
Perfect For: Those precious moments while traveling where you can tune out the world for awhile and tune inward. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: http://www.jordanhamiltonmusic.com/
Upcoming Shows: 7 p.m. Friday (May 31) at The Clover Room in Kalamazoo (album-release show with Santino Jones); Saturday (June 1) at the Division Arts Festival at 43rd Street and S. Division Avenue (with August, Earth Radio, The Cosmoknights, Short Panic and Ficus); June 26 at Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden in Kalamazoo (opening for Yussef Dayes); July 27 at The Homestead in Glen Arbor; July 28 at Railroad Square in Kalkaska; July 30 at The Garden Theater in Frankfort (with the Traverse City Dance Project)
Listen: “Roses”
Eric Engblade
“Compass”
What Stands Out: Michigan singer-songwriter Eric Engblade’s latest release is personal and homegrown down to every last detail. Written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Engblade himself, the album delivers a sentimental peek into a family’s love for one another accompanied by a 70’s folk-rock-influenced sound that runs throughout the project. Instead of chasing a perfectly polished product, “Compass” embraces an organic sound and captures slices of real life with vocal snippets of Engblade talking to his children and including them in the recording process.
Digging Deeper: “Compass” is sprinkled with garden-related metaphors (“Beansprout,” “The Potter’s Field,” Bulbs in the Dirt”) that describe a family’s relationship as something that needs to be nurtured and cared for. The profound impact that fatherhood has had on Engblades life shines through loud and clear in the subject matter of this album. Engblade also describes his family as his compass in life that guides him through life and the struggles that come with it in the song “Pocket Knife,” which sums up the meaning behind the album’s title. Every song on “Compass” delivers a life lesson, a captivating story, or a message addressed directly to loved ones. Its authenticity and soulful vocal delivery follow the traditions of folk music to a tee while still containing plenty of personal touches that make it charming and engaging to listen to.
Perfect For: Playing in the car on your next family road trip. – Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://ericengblade.com
Upcoming Shows: Friday, May 17th at The Livery in Benton Harbor
Listen:
Birdie Country
“Welcome to Birdie Country”
What Stands Out: It’s clear that Grand Rapids indie-rock/pop-rock/alt-rock band Birdie Country has been around for several years, even though “Welcome to Birdie Country” is described as their first full-length, professionally produced album. From the get-go, it rocks with the confidence and authority of a polished group of musicians comfortable in their skins, unleashing smartly written and tactfully arranged gems, starting with “Alaska” and continuing through “Already Knew” that closes out the Quarry House Records release.
Digging Deeper: Matthew Clark, Sam Bonnette, Taylor Robida, Jakub Gagne and Sam Perry hit their rock-fueled stride on this collection recorded by Nick Diener at Oneder Studios in Chesaning (with a couple tracks recorded by Clark at his home studio) and mastered by Sam Moses in Nashville. It’s beguiling to hear a band tell musical tales with a sense of humor and honesty that complements their snappy rock approach. Guest artists include Ryley Grayson of Valley Girl (on “Don’t Even Notice”) and Liv Conaty (on “Already Knew”).
Perfect For: Summer cruising and deck-party romps. – John Sinkevics
Website: https://www.birdiecountry.rocks/
Upcoming Shows: July 6 at Mulligan’s Pub in Grand Rapids; Aug. 8 at Short’s Brewing in Bellaire; Aug. 30 at Lansing Brewing Co. in Lansing
Listen: “Alaska”
La the Darkman, DJ Des (Hosted by Sixman)
“La Familia 9”
What Stands Out: West Michigan-bred, Atlanta-based hip-hop artist Sixman returns to guest host “La Familia 9,” a mixtape that’s part of a series of curated artists organized by La the Darkman (a Wu-Tang affiliated artist) and DJ Des with The Block Never Sleeps, featuring music from Sixman, La The Darkman, Loudchief, Skyzoo, Ras Kass, Crooked I and more. Originally from Grand Rapids, Sixman recently received a Jammie Award for “Best Hip Hop Album” for his 2023 release, “The Six Million Dollar Man.” This latest offering is packed with attitude and grit with production that slaps throughout as samples are interwoven with raw, solid delivery from every emcee on the mic.
Digging Deeper: Sixman has earned his stripes from the decades working on his craft in different hip-hop communities. Hip-hop fans will appreciate the variety of sampling ear candy, the skill and personality from each featured artist, and the skillful arching of this playlist to really flow. “La Familia” is a well-curated mixtape that encourages you to keep things playing and sinking into the full experience.
Perfect For: Any party on the block that spills into the neighborhood, these are tunes that will enhance any mood for the summer. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://linktr.ee/therealsixman
Sixman Upcoming Shows: June 15 at The Livery in Benton Harbor (NOBO Concert Series); June 18 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (with Lady Ace Boogie & Friends)
Listen: Ambassador Rick, “Set The Record Straight” feat. production by Le Grant
The Heiden Underground
“Comes a Dancer”
What Stands Out: Drifting away from his typical indie-folk style, Grand Rapids musician Luke Vanderheiden builds on his musical skills by adding Latin and jazz influences to the latest release from his project known as The Heiden Underground. “Comes a Dancer” is a unique project that weaves a story through unusually brief tracks, imaginative soundscapes, and vibrant imagery. It’s almost as if Vanderheiden is delivering a narrative through cryptic messages that the listener must decode in order to piece together the meaning. The album ranges from low-key synth-based tracks like “Don’t Go” to upbeat sounds like the title track that are guaranteed to pack the dance floor.
Digging Deeper: As more characters and snippets of stories are revealed throughout the project, listeners are bound to become curious about what this album is truly about. Who is the mysterious “they” mentioned repeatedly in “Trip Around the Sun?” Who really is the “someone we’ll call Hannah” in “Another Place?” While we may not have answers to the specific anecdotes that are referenced in this project, Vanderheiden has revealed that some of his inspirations for the album’s concepts are nightlife, a “high school friend-turned-award-winning salsa dancer,” and celebrating the vibrant array of cultures that are present here in Grand Rapids. “Comes a Dancer” is a refreshing and fascinating addition to The Heiden Underground’s discography as well as the Michigan music scene in general.
Perfect For: Daydreaming about far away places and scenarios that may or may not actually exist. – Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://www.facebook.com/heidenunderground/
Listen: “Comes a Dancer”
The Soods
“The Soods”
What Stands Out: The Soods return in 2024 with a self-titled album that makes a big impact in such a bite-sized runtime. Sitting at under 15 minutes for eight songs, each track oozes character and speaks to the enthusiastic, collaborative spirit within this group. Each tune flows with an indie-rock flair and is decorated with guest performances and colorful layers of production and instrumentation to really enhance the mood (the “Sood,” if you will).
Digging Deeper: This is a record that creates a world of depth within the brevity, capturing emotional wellsprings of nostalgia while articulating the feelings of living in modernity. For example, the song “Dreamy” emphasizes the phenomenon we all experience with social media: “Memories fade faster than they come to stay // Reminders of someone’s long forgotten day.” This album is hypnotic in its swirling textures and indie-pop saturated in effects while interjecting moments of melancholy, existential musings and poetic summaries of the internal monologues we all deal with as humans. Even within this fog, there is a level of clarity that Jason Roy, Shane Trip, Patrick Wieland, Matt Ten Clay, Chris Coble and Steven Meltzer are perfectly comfortable articulating, making this a wonderful listening experience.
Perfect For: A dreamy afternoon lost in self-reflection while seeking those reassuring words and honest, human experiences. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thesoods/
Listen: “Slip on Down”
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