Local Spins spotlights the West Michigan singer-keyboardist who kicks off SpeakEZ Lounge’s fall series next Wednesday. Plus, we debut tracks from 10 other Michigan artists.
Sophia McIntosh: Compelled to ‘keep plaoying, keep writing, keep pushing.’ (Courtesy Photo)
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The spellbound and awestruck reaction of those who’ve witnessed Sophia McIntosh performing on stage says a lot about this fiery 20-year-old singer, keyboardist and songwriter who unleashes powerful, dynamic vocals.
“It’s my safe space, so I put my heart and soul into it. It just feels normal and comfortable because it’s what I’m used to doing,” remarked the Jenison musician who began performing professionally at age 14 and has released a myriad of indie-pop singles since.
“Our band shows are really fun and high-energy and loud and could almost be considered rock/pop because we’re so like ‘Woooo.’ … With the band, I just love to see people dance. I love to see people getting into our show.”
Fans will get a chance to do just that when McIntosh and her band, The Sages – guitarist Will Gavan, drummer Will Murphy and bassist Gino Bartone – kick off the fall Local Spins Wednesdays and Fridays concert series at SpeakEZ Lounge at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 30). Get details here and view the full SpeakEZ concert schedule here.
It’s the latest milestone for the young artist who cites Lady Gaga, Adele, Brandi Carlile and Carol King as inspirations, and who grew up watching her parents perform in the popular cover band Drop 35. Her father, Michael, now serves as McIntosh’s manager and sometimes performs with the keyboardist.
Returning to SpeakEZ: Sophia McIntosh & The Sages launch the fall series on Wednesday. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
“I couldn’t do it without them at all,” she said of her mother and father. “I appreciate them 100 percent. I wouldn’t be doing this probably at all without them.”
Indeed, she left Jenison schools to be home-schooled while pursuing music full-time and has maintained a busy performance schedule: In October alone, she’ll play 10 solo shows across the region, along with four full-band concerts.
She’s currently working on a new album or EP, debuting the track “Start Again” for this week’s edition of the Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase, along with a revised new version of an older song, “Set Me Free.” (Scroll down to listen to the songs as part of the full radio show podcast and interview.)
“My writing has definitely changed. I’m 20 now, so things … make a little bit more sense to me just because I’m growing up and words start having more meaning,” she said. “And songs come to me a little bit less frequently, which can sometimes be good because they can be more quality rather than a bunch of quantity. … So that has changed. I write less, but usually they feel better to me.”
Writing and performing will always be part of the equation as McIntosh moves forward, with hopes of possibly touring beyond Michigan in the future.
“No solidified plan as of right now,” she said, “other than to continue doing what I’m doing: keep playing music, keep writing music, keep releasing music, keep pushing.”
In addition to debuting tracks from McIntosh, this week’s episode of the Michigan Music Showcase also featured new music from several other Great Lakes State artists: Adam Main & The Joy Modulators, Bluesdad, Mr. VideoGames, Mac Saturn, High Strung Steel, Matisse, Nate Veldhoff, Myron Elkins, Chloe Kimes and The Paxton Spangler Band. Listen to the podcast below.
The Michigan Music Showcase airs at 11 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays on WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org, and on Interlochen Public Radio at 7 p.m. Saturdays. Check out previous show podcasts online here.
PODCAST: Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase (9/25/26)
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