The third installation of Local Spins’ late-year roundup of new local and regional releases also includes a new single from Steve Rivers and a Christmas EP by The Crane Wives.
Just In Time for Christmas: Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe this week released their long-awaited new album. (Photo/Chris Switzer Photography)
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Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe
“Maybe the Saddest Thing”
There are so many engaging and surprising musical twists, turns and tantalizing hooks snaking their way through the debut album for Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe – and so many, well, smart musical interludes – it would be easy to mistake this for a milestone recording from some seasoned indie-folk-pop songstress who’s spent decades honing her sound and attracting top-notch accompanists. That the Holland singer-songwriter is a 19-year-old multi-instrumentalist with a musical and lyrical wisdom far beyond her years just makes the 11-track “Maybe the Saddest Thing” that much more impressive – from the stunning vocal harmonies on “Only So Young” and “Turbulence” to the clever instrumental arrangements throughout. Gerry Leonard, one-time guitarist for David Bowie, also guest stars on “I Need Time.” And while many acts purport to be genre-melding, Mainville and her comrades created something at Grand Rapids’ River City Studios that truly and deftly blends indie-folk, jazz and gypsy swing with rock and pop, making it sound fresh and vintage at the same time. – John Sinkevics
Website: oliviamainvilleandtheaquatictroupe.bandcamp.com
Upcoming shows: Friday at The Little Fleet in Traverse City, Saturday at Rare Bird Brewpub in Traverse City; Jan. 13 at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids
Listen: “Maybe the Saddest Thing”
Chris DuPont
“Outlier”
On a rising trajectory in the indie music industry, Chris DuPont’s latest release has garnered both regional and national attention. “Outlier” has been featured on Huffington Post, Relevant Magazine, FOX 2 Detroit, Michigan Radio, American Songwriting and Ecurrent, not to mention gracing the featured singer-songwriter page of iTunes. A personal and sincere album that grapples with topics such as “belief, mental illness, reconciling and fatherhood,” the Ann Arbor songwriter conveys these heavier themes in a set of somber, but ultimately hopeful songs. “Evergreen Waltz” keeps to a staccato 3/4 feel for the most part, thatched together by bright acoustic guitar and subtle percussion before the bridge takes over with a longer stride of full drums and string layers. “Throw Wide” grooves through its verses with an addictive electric guitar hook, tight drums and DuPont’s smooth vocals. “Circles” is a track full of layers, beginning with ambient guitar swells that transitions to a pizzicato violin melody and kick drum. As things intensify, the chorus opens to a swirl of strings, guitar and drums blended beneath the lead vocal line that finds DuPont spiraling into a falsetto resolution. Boasting polished, intimate songs and stellar production, there’s little doubt “Outlier” will continue to propel DuPont into the spotlight for some time. – Ricky Olmos
Website: chrisdupontmusic.com
Upcoming Shows: Saturday at Weatherwax Hall in Jackson
Listen: “Outlier”
Roger MacNaughton
“Christmas Dreams, Christmas Wishes”
Grand Rapids-area jazz pianist Roger MacNaughton has become a master at not only rearranging traditional music but creating original songs that ooze a New Age-mixed-with-jazz sensibility in a fresh, upbeat way. This collection of holiday favorites is no exception, with MacNaughton’s deft solo piano work enhancing “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Joy to the World,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and many others, making this ideal, cozy-up-to-the-fire seasonal fare. The centerpiece and title track is his own creation, with MacNaughton skillfully weaving in melodies and nuances that make this sound like a time-honored Christmas classic. – John Sinkevics
Website: rogermacnaughton.com
Upcoming shows: 6 p.m. Saturday with MacNaughton Boulevard for Advent Vespers at Bostwick Lake Congregational United Church of Christ outside Rockford; 6 p.m. Dec. 19 with MacNaughton Boulevard for Jazz Vespers at First United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids
CD Info: Email roger@acousticartsmusic.com
VIDEO: Roger MacNaughton, ‘Christmas Dreams, Christmas Wishes’ (Local Spins on WYCE
Bigfoot Buffalo
“Bigfoot Buffalo”
Within the first 30 seconds of Bigfoot Buffalo’s self-titled LP, it’s pretty clear a foot-stomping joy ride of folk music lies ahead (in case the title wasn’t indicative enough). Acoustic guitar, mandolin and violin all unveil themselves almost immediately on the album opener, “Calamity Joe.” A blend of old-time folk values anchor the entire album as frontman Kyle Brown barks out vivid lyrics that paint pictures of rustic scenes and a sense of freedom. The warm lull of “Blue Hands” mellows things out with acoustic guitar, upright bass, simplistic percussion, pedal steel and the rich timbre of a lone fiddle. “What are we running for? To another burnt bridge and another open door?” Brown sings amidst a choir of harmonies. At times, the album strays from folk, and confidently so. A wah-wah effect guitar can be heard on the intro of “Same Old Scenes.” Then, things get straight down and dirty at the end of “Back to the East” when the mood changes drastically from an upbeat, runaway folk rhythm to a half-time breakdown punctuated with crunching guitar, and Brown, his voice gravelly as ever, shouting lyrics between accented instrumental hits. – Ricky Olmos
Website: bigfootbuffalo.com
Upcoming Shows: Jan. 1 at Billy’s Lounge
Listen: “I Don’t Feel Nothin”
Thunderbolt & Lightfoot
“Thunderbolt & Lightfoot”
This Kalamazoo duo crafts an EP full of soft, acoustic songs with intricate instrumentation and thoughtful lyricism. With a touch of Dylan and fingerpicked acoustic guitar, “Dark Days,” described on the band’s site as “wintery,” carefully dances in circles around the sentiment, “I’ll be with you through your darkest days.” Picking things up, “Easy Now” brings in harmonica, vintage electric piano and drums with a steady pace and note-for-note harmonies. With its perfection in songwriting and voices that complement each other flawlessly, Thunderbolt & Lightfoot are enroute to win over many listeners with their haunting ambiance. – Ricky Olmos
Website: thunderboltandlightfootband.com
Upcoming Shows: Dec. 26 at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo
Listen: “Dark Days”
Fred Knapp Trio
“Song for Jaden”
This album showcases a Grand Rapids trio of seasoned musicians at the top of their game and in their prime. Alongside Jeremy Siskind and David Rosin, Fred Knapp breathes new life into jazz standards and showcases original compositions with equal precision in this instrumental LP. Piano takes precedence on title track, “Song for Jaden.” A calm start opens up to complex chord structures and quick, rolling high-end parts as drums and bass fade into the background. A familiar jazz hi-hat cadence and piano count in the first few measures of “Motorbike Ride,” a brief but lively track that features a walking bass line and catchy recurring piano hook. Closing out the album is the ballad-like “The Lamp is Low.” Brushed percussion and twinkling keys encompass the track, making it gleam with simplicity. – Ricky Olmos
Website: fredknappmusic.com
Listen: “Song for Jaden”
ALSO:
The Crane Wives, “A Very, Very Crane Wives Christmas” – Considers this a cheery, little Christmas surprise gift for fans of this Grand Rapids folk-rock band: straightforward, harmony-laden, acoustic renditions of five holiday tunes, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Once Upon a December,” “Silver Bells,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and the goofy-fun “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
Listen here: cranewives.bandcamp.com
Steve Rivers, “Don’t Come Here Tonight” – With an anthemic hook and a clever country twist on the tale of a guy who’s been dumped by his sweetheart, country singer Steve Rivers puts his best foot forward with this infectious single co-written by Rivers and Dawson Reigns, and produced by Dan Brodbeck. With his inviting voice, Rivers, a Canadian native who now makes his home in Grand Rapids, gives this song just what it needs: an engaging and approachable charm.
Website: steverivers.com
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
