Local Spins today takes a look at several more recent releases by Michigan artists. Check out our takes on the recordings, and listen to tracks from each release.
A Live EP and Upcoming Live Shows: Wilson Ave. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
As April winds down, Local Spins spotlights three more fresh releases by Michigan artists, including the latest band project from Grand Rapids singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Max Lockwood.
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Check out our takes on these new recordings and listen to a track from each release
Miss some of our past reviews? Check them out online here.
Rivereye
“Rivereye”
What Stands Out: Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Max Lockwood’s latest endeavor builds on the upbeat folk-rock energy of his previous work while also focusing on a more specific concept that ties the album together. “Rivereye” was primarily recorded live with the entire band playing in the same room together, driving home the theme of interconnectedness that emerges repeatedly on the album. During the summer of 2025, the band escaped to northern Michigan’s Cinnamon Ranch to record the album in a remote, picturesque setting. This collaborative effort from Lockwood, guitarist Phil Barry, pianist Joe Hettinga, drummer Jeff Moehle, and bassist/vocalist Eric O’Daly provides a bright and uplifting instrumental backdrop for Lockwood’s thoughtful and deeply personal lyrical content.
Digging Deeper: “Rivereye” invites listeners to examine their interactions with other humans, turn them into an opportunity to look inward and connect with something deeper and bigger than oneself. This project brings forth the idea that every interaction and personal experience we have with people in our lives connects us to our emotions and the nature of the world we live in. It is not a flaw to experience emotions deeply and intensely, but proof that humans are resilient creatures that are built for more than just going through the motions of life in isolation. “Another Day” addresses humans’ innate ability to persevere through hardship and “Each Time You Run” utilizes nature-focused metaphors to draw parallels between human experiences and the cyclical nature of all living things. Over the course of the album, Lockwood takes the specificity of his own life and transforms it into the universal lessons that are woven into every track.
Perfect For: Those who are looking for something introspective as a soundtrack for setting new intentions this spring season. – By Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://rivereyesongs.bandcamp.com
Listen: “Another Day”
Wilson Ave.
“Live From Dogtown”
What Stands Out: Watching and listening to this up-and-coming indie-rock band perform its latest batch of songs at Grand Rapids’ Dogtown Studio makes it hard to believe that frontman Eddie Zentera used to feel nervous about performing in front of a crowd, as he told Local Spins earlier this year. The Grand Rapids-based band displays an easygoing confidence and unshakeable musical chemistry that comes naturally to these four friends who entered the music scene with the intention of having fun and creating undeniably catchy songs with relatable themes. “High School Rodeo,” in particular, paints a nostalgic picture with its lyrics against the backdrop of a steady groove that morphs into a jam session.
Digging Deeper: Wilson Ave. pays homage to its Midwest roots and the DIY nature of the band by describing its music as “pole barn indie-rock” and “moldy basement indie-rock” interchangeably. Coming up as a young band in the Midwest isn’t always glamorous, but Wilson Ave. doesn’t let that stop the band from nailing infectious guitar melodies and turning even an in-studio performance like this one into a party. Using elements from beloved indie-rockers such as Cage the Elephant and The Strokes as inspiration, Wilson Ave. puts its own original twist on the genre, creating a beachy vibe that’s practically begging for a lakeside performance.
Perfect For: The latest addition to your beach party playlist. – By Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://www.facebook.com/wilsonaveband/
Upcoming Shows: May 8 at Speciation Cellars with Jack Beidler; June 27 at The Pyramid Scheme with Ten Peso Version and Smile, Darling
Listen: “High School Rodeo”
Ghost Bunnies
“Hop Hop”
What Stands Out: A celebration of eccentricity and bouncy, alternative rhythms, Kalamazoo alternative band Ghost Bunnies’ recent EP seems to joyfully poke fun at the band’s bio, stating they “love to play music for wonderful people.” This band expertly uses a range of tones across the EP, incorporating everything from nasally melody endings to crowd-shouted ad libs. Telling a story in each track, this band wraps up hijinks with mystifying synth tunes to create a soundscape that leaves you intrigued and possibly, a little spooked. With “MTPO’s” blend of classical piano into a hard rock-reminiscent sequence, the album truly offers a little something for everyone, so long as you approach with open ears.
Digging Deeper: “Hop Hop” is Ghost Bunnies’ second EP, releasing one year after their previous “Two Cats” EP, which marked the end of a five-year gap from the release of the band’s first three albums in the mid- to late-2010’s. After the band’s establishment in 2012 and early jumpstart, they’ve found a recent renewal in recording music, with their latest release mixed and mastered by Rick Johnson at Cold War Studios in Grand Rapids.
Perfect For: Addressing melancholy themes in a way that almost feels fun, this album is best played in the background of a lighthearted Halloween get-together, or to feel a bit of macabre merriment year round. – By Sara Bagley
Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheGhostBunnies/
Listen: “Hop Hop”
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