Today, Local Spins takes a deep dive into six recent, varied releases by artists from across West Michigan — Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Traverse City to Albion. Listen to tracks from all of the recordings.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Albums That Changed My World: Dante Cope’s love of Lupe, Flying Lotus, Sons of Kemet
This week, Local Spins probes the intriguing musical influences of the multi-talented Grand Rapids artist Dante Cope, who propels the Les Creatif ensemble. View — and listen to — his picks for recordings that shaped him, along with the latest tracks from Les Creatif.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos · Whatever Happened To
‘Whatever Happened To’ Potato Moon: Alluring mystique, sibling harmonies, rare charisma
A rising West Michigan mainstay more than a decade ago, the folk-driven Potato Moon hints that its first album in 10-plus years may be in the works. Find out what band members are up to now in the latest installment of our “Whatever Happened To” series revisiting once prominent regional acts.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Waxahatchee kindles ‘Fire’ of musical emotions in GR show; Caroline Jones impresses at benefit
Saturday’s concert at Fountain Street Church highlighted a robust weekend of live music and events from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Hudsonville: Caroline Jones, Beach House, Marc E. Bassy, Mungion, 1964 The Tribute & more in Local Spins photos and recaps.
Sixman, Skillet, May Erlewine, John Mark melt February’s chill with weekend-starting jams
Several genre-spanning shows — big and small — helped fire up and heat up February in Grand Rapids on Thursday and Friday. The recaps in words and photos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE
Grand Rapids’ Lipstick Jodi poised to take indie-pop to next level in 2022
The band led by Karli Morehouse aims to ‘hit the ground running’ with shows and new music this year. Plus, Local Spins on WYCE debuts fresh Michigan-made tracks, from Steven Malcolm to The Good Old Days to Fake Baseball and Grace Theisen. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
John Mark McMillan’s journey through faith, musical success, identity crisis and creativity
The platinum-selling singer-songwriter plays Calvin University on Friday night. In an interview with Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos, McMillan covered a lot of bases — from religion to aliens.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Waxahatchee bringing acclaimed, validating, beautiful ‘Saint Cloud’ gems to Grand Rapids
With her tour stopping at Fountain Street Church on Saturday, Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield opens up to Local Spins writer Enrique Olmos about her sobriety, cooking, astrology and songwriting. Learn more about Waxahatchee and watch her videos at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
Skillet eager to get heavy, ‘in-your-face’ for Van Andel Arena’s Winter Jam
The mammoth Christian music tour rolls into Grand Rapids on Friday night. The Local Spins interview with John Cooper of headliner Skillet. Plus, get more details about the Winter Jam tour.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Foreigner, Amos Lee, GR Symphony to play Meijer Gardens’ 2022 concert series
Meijer Gardens also plans to expand its Tuesday Evening Music Club Series, according to today’s teaser announcement. Get more details at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Albums That Changed My World: Michigander’s nod to JT, Coldplay, The National and more
The Local Spins series highlighting music that most influenced Michigan musicians continues with Michigander frontman Jason Singer revealing his picks — plus a couple of current faves he “can’t stop” playing and a pair of Michigander tracks.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Bonnie Raitt, Air Supply lead return of Interlochen’s summer concerts
The northern Michigan venue and arts academy today revealed the first two of its summer 2022 shows, with more in the offing. Details at Local Spins.
Album Reviews: Katy Needs a Life, Dan Hazlett, Cross Eyed Strangers, Drew Hale and more
This February roundup of new Michigan albums also features an in-depth look at releases from Detroit rock band Three Spoke Wheel and Kalamazoo’s Jay Gavan. Plus, sample tracks from all of the albums.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Hip hop’s Steven Malcolm ignites fans at GR homecoming + Valent-Ice, Pigeons, McCreery
Emerging hip hop star Steven Malcolm wrapped up his ‘Long Live the Hype Tour’ at a jam-packed Muse GR Saturday, wrapping up a weekend of diverse live music — country, hip hop, funk, rock, folk — captured in Local Spins photos and videos. Revisit shows by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Niko Moon, Scotty McCreery, The Legal Immigrants, King Possum, Conrad Shock + The Noise, Lisa Can’t Sing and Erin Enderlin.
Detroit Lions Going ‘Nowhere Fast’ Super Bowl Playlist: Eminem to Snoop Dogg to Mary J. Blige
Super Bowl weekend once again delivers a Local Spins playlist for the ages: A roundup of songs by this year’s halftime performers that tells the tragic tale of the Motor City’s last-place Lions. Hey, things can only get better from here, right?
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Camp Greensky Music Festival moving to Kent County’s Shagbark Farm in June
After previously being held in northern Michigan, the festival hosted by Greensky Bluegrass will relocate to “a stone’s throw from Grand Rapids.” Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Videos
Phabies ooze DIY spirit with eclectic musical vibe and Valentine’s Day ‘fever dream’
The Grand Rapids band today debuts a new video at Local Spins, which also spotlights fresh tracks by Katie Pederson, The Volcanic, Flowers on the Grave, Jay Gavan, Drew Hale, Laura Rain and more. Watch the video, listen to the Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast and learn more about Phabies in today’s Artist Spotlight.
Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Rewind: Remembering 2020’s Jammie Awards lauding Last Gasp Collective, Jordan Hamilton
This was to be the weekend when WYCE’s Jammie Awards finally returned to The Intersection. The pandemic, however, has pushed that back to June. So today, Local Spins revisits the jubilant 2020 awards show in words, photos and video highlights.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
Traverse City’s Drew Hale gets more personal for his ‘Michigan country with a Texas heart’
The busy northern Michigan artist just released a new album, with plans for another release later this year. Local Spins catches up with country/roots rocker Drew Hale in today’s profile and showcases some of his latest tracks.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
May Erlewine: ‘Albums that Changed My World,’ from Barbara Lewis to Ani DiFranco
With a new record on the way, ‘Michigan Songbird’ May Erlewine plays St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids on Feb. 17. Today, she reveals that albums that have influenced her the most. Bend an ear to the recordings, along with songs from Erlewine herself.
Greensky Bluegrass hits No. 1 on January Hot Top 5 Chart with ‘Stress Dreams’
The Kalamazoo-bred progressive bluegrass band soared straight to the top of the WYCE chart with its eighth studio album. Listen to tracks from all of the charted albums.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Parade of Firsts: Railroad Earth, Oracle, Bass Country, Gary’s Brain and more musical revelry
This week’s roundup of concert photos actually starts last weekend with the return of live music to Founders, plus the first West Michigan shows in quite some time starring some compelling bands. Browse all of the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists
Local Spins Rewind: The Super Bowl and the Detroit Lions’ futility in song
This column ran prior to the 2021 Super Bowl, with the wretched tale of the Lions told in hit singles by last year’s halftime performer, The Weeknd. Come back next week when we’ll do the same for the 2022 roster of halftime stars.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Fake Baseball throws heady, proggy curve with ‘adventurous,’ eclectic art-pop
The Kalamazoo super-group previewed its debut album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered tracks by Chirp, Bradley Sinclair, The Blue Pines, Aspen Jacobsen, Cross Eyed Strangers, Katy Needs a Life and other Michigan artists. Learn more about Fake Baseball and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Fiery Grand Rapids singer Serita Crowley: Making music ‘that actually says something’
To help kick off Black History Month, Local Spins today profiles veteran singer Serita Crowley of Serita’s Black Rose, a mainstay on area stages with compelling, blues-fired new original music in the works. The Artist Spotlight feature and video.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Artist to Watch: Singer Aspen Jacobsen takes ‘empowering’ step forward with new music
The 17-year-old artist with a new single who’s performed since she was 9 is part of this week’s ‘Interlochen Singers & Songwriters Concert’ for up-and-coming tunesmiths. And that’s just part of an action-packed 2022 ahead. She’s this week’s ‘Artist to Watch,’ part of our 2022 series on rising stars.
Albums that Changed the World · Playlists
Jacob Bullard of Major Murphy’s generation-spanning ‘Albums That Changed the World’
The Local Spins series continues today with a focus on recordings that most influenced the frontman for Grand Rapids indie-rock’s Major Murphy, from the Beatles to Breathe Owl Breathe to Here We Go Magic. Sample all of the albums, plus tracks from Major Murphy’s latest release.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
Jam-packed Cowpie Music Festival returns in August with MonoNeon, Joe Hertler, Mungion
After a two-year hiatus, the diverse three-day festival on Shagbark Farm near Caledonia will also feature Tunde Olaniran, Desmond Jones, Lady Ace Boogie, Dixon’s Violin, Sophistafunk and dozens more. View the lineup and get more details about the final edition of Cowpie at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Walker Hayes, Brittney Spencer, ABBA Mania, Patty PerShayla get all ‘Fancy Like’ for fans
This weekend’s photo roundup of West Michigan concerts zeroes in on a Grammy-nominated star, an emerging country artist, tributes to ABBA and The Beatles, and three compelling female singer-songwriters. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Local Spins Rewind: Ann Arbor Folk Festival’s healing, inspiring, Michigan-hued live-streams
A year ago this weekend, The Ark staged a successful online-only version of its popular folk festival with a host of national and regional stars. Tonight, it goes virtual again with a Michigan tribute to songwriter Nanci Griffith featuring performances by The Accidentals, May Erlewine, Annie and Rod Capps and many more. Get details and revisit last year’s event here.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Upcoming shows
Grand Rapids’ Normal Mode launches ‘lo-fi space travel’ twist on modern jazz
The super-trio with a Tuesday night residency at Listening Room in February was featured by Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by The Accidentals, FINKEL, Luke Winslow-King, Morgan Haner, Emma A. Ward, Prior Noon, Daniel Terry, Jack White and more. Learn more about Normal Mode and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
Album reviews · Audio · Upcoming shows
Album Reviews: Greensky Bluegrass, Travis Atkinson, Les Creatif, Dynaflo and more
This late January round-up of new releases by Michigan artists ranges from the latest by a national bluegrass powerhouse to the debut of a new Grand Rapids project to a heavy metal fusillade from Detroit. Browse the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases at Local Spins.
Gibson Guitar Legacy: Kalamazoo to fete 100th birthday of WWII guitar maker Irene Stearns
A renowned cast of well-wishers — including Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Emily Saliers of The Indigo Girls, Tommy Emmanuel, Rosanne Cash and more — will help commemorate the milestone on Sunday, recalling an important era in music history. The event will be live-streamed by the Michigan Music Alliance. Get details at Local Spins and learn more about Stearns and the ‘Kalamazoo Gals’ who built Gibson guitars during World War II.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Albums That Changed My World: Producer Jake Rye toasts The Beatles, Radiohead, Coldplay
Today’s installment of this popular Local Spins series features albums that influenced and shaped mid-Michigan producer and musician Jake Rye, who’s spun the dials on some impressive projects. Listen to tracks from all of his picks.
Artist Spotlights · Whatever Happened To
Whatever Happened To … Joey Frendo of Watching For Foxes: Blossoming as a storyteller
Once the frontman for Grand Rapids folk-rock outfits Watching for Foxes and Winnow, Joey Frendo has since moved to Oklahoma where he’s carving out a career as a solo artist. The Local Spins interview.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Jazzing Up January: Joshua Redman Trio, Scott Veenstra Trio and more deliver musical magic
This weekend’s concert photo roundup has a distinctly jazzy flavor — national and local — plus it features a tour stop by Swedish dubstep star Liquid Stranger and a Kalamazoo showcase with WOOTS and Grace Theisen. Browse the images at Local Spins.
Eric Church leads massive Van Andel ‘congregation’ in rock and country revelry
It was a spectacle. For Friday’s Grand Rapids tour stop on his ‘Gather Again’ tour, country star Eric Church uncorked his mix of ‘Country Music Jesus,’ ‘That’s Damn Rock & Roll’ and ‘Smoke a Little Smoke’ for enthused fans. The review, photos and set list at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
‘New’ Jake Kershaw poised for breakout with ‘more genuine,’ genre-expanding approach
The 21-year-old blues-rock phenom from Albion boasts a more mature sound on tracks featured for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted songs by Les Creatif, Au Gres, Fake Baseball, Y-Not, DL Rossi, Travis Atkinson, Emma Bieniewicz and more.
Jack White to Chirp: Eight music videos by Michigan-bred artists that you need to watch
The end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 have seen an avalanche of new music by acts from the Great Lakes State. Here are eight must-see videos from some of those releases, including La Furia Del Ritmo, DL Rossi, Grace Theisen, Katie Pederson, Prior Noon and Greensky Bluegrass.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Features · Photos
The creative, energetic compass of G’itis Baggs and weathering the ‘dark stuff’ of brain cancer
The Kalamazoo musician and co-founder of The Go Rounds has faced terminal brain cancer with fortitude, grace and humor, supported by compassionate fellow musicians. Get the back story at Local Spins and listen to some of G’itis Baggs’ music. .
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists
Albums That Changed My World: Laura Rain’s muses Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Gap Band
The frontwoman for Detroit’s Laura Rain & The Caesars not surprisingly has been shaped by the music of classic R&B and funk artists. Listen to tracks from all of her picks at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Artist to Watch: Kalamazoo singer-songwriter Grace Theisen making hearts ‘come alive’
With a brand new single, upcoming shows this weekend and a soon-to-be-released EP, Grace Theisen is poised for a breakout year with her “exciting” and “upbeat” Americana-hued music. The profile and music video at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Concert Photo Recap: Ryan Hurd, Ellis Paul, Big Timmy & The Heavy Chevys heat things up
January has been quieter than usual on the live music front due to continued COVID concerns, but some national and local shows fired up area stages on a chilly weekend. Browse the photo galleries at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Greensky Bluegrass expands sound, gets ‘visual’ with epic new ‘Stress Dreams’
In an interview with Local Spins, guitarist and Kalamazoo native Dave Bruzza opens up about the new album and 2022 touring. Listen to tracks from the new album and the full interview as well as this week’s Local Spins on WYCE podcast, with the debut of several new tracks by Michigan artists, including Chirp, Pajames, Big Timmy & The Heavy Chevys, John Piatek and more.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
WYCE Jammie Awards show postponed until late June due to COVID concerns
Rising cases sparked by the Omicron variant led the Grand Rapids community radio station to delay the popular multi-band celebration at The Intersection for four months. Get the details at Local Spins.
Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The Stray café aims ‘to inspire and be inspired’ with diverse concerts, warm setting
Grand Rapids’ newest live music venue offers an intimate space and striking stage for emerging and established acts, with a ‘Battle of the Bands’ on tap. Learn more about this S. Division Avenue business and view a schedule of upcoming shows.
Breaking music news · Summer Festivals
Dozens of Michigan music festivals set for return but Sidney’s Willowsong calls it quits
After two years of cancellations due to COVID, the intimate August festival north of Grand Rapids has lost its momentum, citing the unvaccinated and a ‘never-ending’ pandemic. Details at Local Spins.
Album Reviews: Hacky Turtles, Bootstrap Boys, Cal in Red, Fiona Dickinson, Zebra 3 & more
Welcome to the first album review roundup of 2022, with a half-dozen new releases by West Michigan artists encompassing rock, country, electronic music, folk, pop and more. Check out the reviews and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
Artist Spotlights · Emerging Artists to Watch · Videos
Artist to Watch: Teen singer Kanin Elizabeth ‘ready to fly’ with attention-getting indie-pop
Recently returning from L.A. recording sessions with Elton John bassist Matt Bissonette, the 16-year-old Lansing-area singer-songwriter is turning heads, making her Local Spins’ first “Artist to Watch” for 2022. Get the back story and listen to Kanin Elizabeth’s songs at Local Spins.
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