Local Spins’ early March music news roundup takes a look at frontman R.J. Nordlund’s departure from an emerging rock band and a first-ever U.S. tour for a youthful Grand Rapids pop and hip hop artist.
An Opportunity He Couldn’t Pass Up: Band frontman R.J. Nordlund is leaving to become head brewer at a Wisconsin brewery. (Photo/Anna Sink)
Just three months after releasing their debut EP, Grand Rapids’ Nordlund & The Nomad Assembly are preparing to play their final show this weekend in Muskegon.
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The Band: Nordlund & The Nomad Assembly during a 2015 rehearsal. (Photo/Tori Thomas)
Frontman R.J. Nordlund, who’s worked at Harmony Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids the past year, has taken a job as head brewer at Bare Bones Brewery in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and will start there next week.
That means the band’s Friday night concert with Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe at Watermark 920 in Muskegon will be the last show for Nordlund & The Nomad Assembly for the forseeable future, though they may try to play a couple of summer festivals.
“I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to run a brewery. It’s a career position and it’s closer to my father (who lives in Waukesha),” said Nordlund, 25, guitarist and chief songwriter for the country-hued psychedelic rock band.
“It was a hard decision but it came down to having to do what’s best for me. … I’ll be in charge of everything (at the Oshkosh brewery) and I’ll be able to get ahead financially now.”
R.J. Nordlund (Photo/Anna Sink)
Nordlund stressed that the rest of the band – Justin Dore, Daine Hammerle and Zack Jensen – has been truly supportive and he’ll miss playing with the group. But he also noted he’s “excited to test some new waters” because Appleton has a great music scene and is only about 20 minutes away.
Nordlund & The Nomad Assembly will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at Watermark 920, 920 Washington Ave., in Muskegon, with Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troup taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. Admission is an unopened jar of peanut butter for Kids’ Food Basket. Get show details online here.
Read more about Nordlund & The Nomad Assembly and listen to their music in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight. – John Sinkevics
GRAND RAPIDS’ LOUIS MOUNTS FIRST U.S. TOUR LATER THIS MONTH
In an interview last year with Local Spins, Grand Rapids pop and hip-hop songwriter LOUIS expressed a hesitation to jump into playing shows and touring, saying he didn’t want to start playing many shows until he was ready to put on an engaging performance and pack the house.
Letting Fans In On a Secret: LOUIS embarks on his first tour this month.
It seems that time may be just around the corner. On March 7, the 22-year-old artist will embark on his first ever tour with dates in New York City, Chicago, Atlanta and Austin, before ending in East Lansing at the Latin Xplosion event at Michigan State University on March 26. The March 17 Austin date coincides with the massive South by Southwest music conference.
After releasing his first single, “The Strip,” last spring and a music video for the song following in June – one which garnered more than 41,000 views on Youtube – LOUIS has been busy riding the momentum generated by the song.
Keeping a steady pace, he released his second single, “Waiting on You,” in August. A shift in sound is evident. The track ventures away from rap, and more towards singing, which LOUIS says he enjoys more than rapping. Effect-laden vocal tracks still give the song a hip-hop feel while highlighting the artist’s capable vocals. (Listen to “Waiting on You” below.)
In 2016, LOUIS plans to unveil a “totally new sound” in collaboration with Paris Bueller of Chicago Recording Company and subsequently, a new batch of music videos will be rolling out of production, as well as “a couple surprises.”
The young artist said what he’s looking forward to most about tour is connecting with the audiences and gaining fans.
“There’s something about doing a live performance that really allows me to be more personal and in touch with the people that love my music,” said LOUIS.
“I love having the opportunity to engage with my supporters and be able to preview new material before I officially release a new song. I feel like I’m able to let them in on a secret and they seem to appreciate it.” – Ricky Olmos
AUDIO: LOUIS, “Waiting On You” (Explicit)
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
