The Kent District Library’s streaming platform launched this fall showcases dozens of West Michigan acts and pays them an honorarium. Learn more about KDL Vibes and check out its roster of artists.
Building a Collection That Represents West Michigan’s Music Scene: KDL Vibes
Imagine a local streaming service created specifically and exclusively for music created by West Michigan musicians.
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West Michigan's music scene
Kent District Library has done just that.
The KDL Vibes platform features releases by a wide variety of Grand Rapids-area artists – selected from submissions by a panel of experts – and pays the acts a $250 honorarium to boot.
“Our goal is to build a collection that represents the entire West Michigan music scene, so our process for selecting music not only considers the quality of music, but also the genre,” said David Specht, KDL’s digital marketing strategist.
“Our job as a library is to make valuable materials available to the communities we serve. We saw KDL Vibes as an opportunity to share the rich, diverse music in West Michigan with our patrons, some of whom may have never known these incredible local musicians exist or have not had the means to see them live or listen to their music elsewhere.”
Robust Artist Roster: Some of the acts at KDL Vibes.
Working with the MUSICat open-source platform – developed for libraries across the country by Rabble – the library officially launched KDL Vibes this fall, offering what amounts to a local, mini-version of a music streaming service (think Spotify) that’s free to users.
Several other library systems across the country have launched similar services, including Austin’s Electric Lady Bird and Seattle’s Playback.
The initial offering by KDL Vibes features wide-ranging releases by 41 West Michigan bands and solo artists, with a panel of curators selecting the albums from those submitted earlier this year by area artists. That panel included musicians Linda Tellis (Lady Ace Boogie), Hugo Claudin (Les Creatif) and Andrea Wallace (SuperDre) as well as others in-the-know such as Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill co-owner Ted Smith and WYCE operations and traffic manager Jake Wunderink.
The roster features acts representing a bevy of genres, from rappers J.Rob and Wuzee & Samil to rock bands Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps and Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions to the blues of The Fast Hands Band and the singer-songwriter stylings of John W. Kaye and Greg Tramper.
The streaming service also provides background information about all of the artists, along with links to their websites and social media.
‘CHRONICLING AN IMPORTANT CHAPTER OF ART AND MUSIC’ IN WEST MICHIGAN
For Grand Rapids musician Justin Avdek, whose solo album, “The Hidden People,” is featured by KDL Vibes, it’s an important new way to showcase regional artists.
“I was interested from the beginning of any playlist that highlights the immense talent and creativity of our area,” said Avdek, who’s also a member of the neo-soul band Earth Radio.
“West Michigan gets overlooked sometimes, and to be responsible with the arts, ideas like this save the day. It’s also chronicling this important chapter of art and music, that can be all lost if not for a few fleeting memories of people drinking a pint at a Grand Rapids pub.”
Ada pianist Roger MacNaughton said he’s “always glad to have ways to get my music out into the world so new folks can sample my wares.” That includes his album, “Mackinac, I’ve Come Home,” which is featured at KDL Vibes.
“Plus, I’d always rather be composing and producing new music than marking and promoting,” he added. “KDL Vibes helps in this regard.”
KDL plans to stage an open submission period for bands every spring and fall, adding 20 to 30 new albums to the collection each time, with different panelists curating the offerings. KDL pays selected artists whose albums get added to the collection a $250 honorarium.
Justin Avdek (Photo/Anna Sink)
The only requirements: The music must be original and albums must contain at least four full tracks.
“By bringing in fresh curators whose interests and experiences differ from others, we’ll be able to keep the collection growing in the way we want,” Specht said, noting KDL also plans to host Vibes artists for live performances at KDL branches in 2022.
“We’re also planning a launch party at a local venue that will take place in the spring.”
Because the service is free to use and doesn’t require an app, KDL makes it easy for listeners to explore the region’s music scene, Specht maintained.
“The collection only features local musicians, so it’s a great way to dive into the local scene without having to do any research or digging that you might have to do on other music-streaming platforms,” he said.
“If listeners are interested in watching music videos, browsing photos, purchasing an album or merch from an artist, or looking at tour dates, they can find links to all of that in the artist’s bio on Vibes.”
Specht noted that the new platform “empowers libraries to license music directly from local artists” by giving them the tool to build music collections.
“The Rabble team has been incredible to work with and is regularly improving the platform and introducing new features,” he said.
Check out the full roster of KDL Vibes artists online here.
Copyright 2021, Spins on Music LLC
