The two Traverse City bands released new EPs this spring that earned them lots of attention and lots of radio airplay at WYCE-FM. Check out their reaction to the news, discover what other albums made the May chart and listen to songs from the featured artists.
Michigan’s charms are ‘all tied up inside’ Lord Huron frontman and Okemos native Ben Schneider. Read the Local Spins interview on the eve of the band’s fourth full-length release, plus view videos for Lord Huron’s most recent singles.
Friday night’s inaugural show at the baseball stadium on Grand Rapids’ West Side drew more than 100 people who soaked up the live music and unique outdoor atmosphere. The concert roundup and photo gallery at Local Spins.
Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
After a one-year hiatus, the two-day electronic/pop festival at Belknap Park will also feature Gryffin, Madeon, Big Wild and Chelsea Cutler. Learn more about August’s Breakaway and July’s Upheaval festival, both being held at the Grand Rapids park, with organizers hoping COVID capacity restrictions will be eased.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
For the second summer, Studio Park will host outdoor concerts starring Michigan artists, including Jack Droppers, Joshua Davis, Last Gasp Collective and Luke Winslow-King. Get details and see who else will perform at this downtown venue.
The Grand Rapids indie-rock band’s sophomore album wasted little time making an impression on West Michigan audiences, topping several brand new releases making their Hot Top 5 chart debut last month. Read more about the record and listen to tracks from all of the featured releases at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Playlists · Videos
Mark “Huggy Bear” Lavengood is a smiling, omnipresent force in West Michigan’s music scene. Today, he reveals the three albums that most shaped his career — plus a couple of current faves from Argentina. View his list, listen to tracks from all of the artists.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
The Jackson band recently released a new album, “Sitting With the Unknown,” and continues to play shows and find inspiration in its hometown. Learn more about LVRS in this Local Spins Artist Spotlight and listen to music from the band’s latest album.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
Kalamazoo songwriter Even ‘WOOTS’ Wouters was the featured guest for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted music by Desmond Jones, The Accidentals, Martyr for Madison, Birdie Country and Rachel Curtis. Find out more about WOOTS and listen to this week’s full radio show podcast.
Start your Sunday with a refreshing look into six new releases by West Michigan artists, ranging from instrumental virtuosity to rock ‘n’ roll passion. Chain of Lakes and Shane Tripp are among the featured releases. Plus, listen to selected tracks from all of the albums.
Today’s guest column by Grand Rapids musician Julio Gomez tackles the thorny issue of live music in a pandemic — a dilemma that’s definitely split Michigan’s community of performers, fans and venues. Gomez strongly urges bands to consider alternatives to in-person shows until it’s truly safe.
Audio · Features · Playlists · Videos
On what’s become an annual holiday for many, today’s special playlist from Agri-Med and Local Spins reveals the most popular cannabis-inspired tunes as chosen by readers in our 4/20 contest. Peruse the diverse 20+4 list and see which four readers won smoking-cool gift packs.
Five years ago, long before COVID, mid-April rocked West Michigan as musicians and fans packed record shops, Wealthy Theatre, Pyramid Scheme, Intersection and Billy’s Lounge. Revisit the special weekend in words and photos in this Local Spins Rewind feature.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Festivals
The brand new, two-day festival hosted by Dobro whiz Mark Lavengood will limit capacity and feature sets by ‘a stronghold of West Michigan greats’ playing on a site with plenty of space for social distancing. Get details, ticket information and the full lineup at Local Spins.
New albums from KJ & The Good Time Family Band and Amy Love fill out this mid-April roundup of releases by Michigan artists. Check out the reviews from Local Spins writers, listen to tracks from each recording.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids rock group frontman divulged details about an upcoming solo album for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Megan Dooley, LVRS, Cal in Red, Upon Wings and more. Get Chris Cranick’s back story and listen to this week’s radio show podcast.
This late March roundup of West Michigan releases ranges from rock and hip hop to synth-pop and folk. Check out the Local Spins reviews and listen to tracks from each featured artist.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
The Local Spins series highlighting recordings that influenced Michigan-bred musicians continues with Americana/outlaw country artist Nathan Kalish, whose inspirations vary widely. Listen to his picks, along with a track from his most recent album.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features · Playlists
With his own new solo album on the way this spring, Michigan music ambassador Seth Bernard today reveals the three albums that most influenced his career, along with a current favorite. Listen to tracks from all of his selections (along with a standout Bernard song) as part of this week’s playlist.
Concert announcements · Festivals
For the second year, the late March online festival raising money for the Michigan Artist Relief Fund will feature performances from across the Great Lakes State. This year’s event will feature more than 200 artists. Get details and see who else is in the initial lineup.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Local Spins premieres new Walton tracks from ‘The Remedy’ along with the video for his new single. Plus, check out song debuts from other Michigan acts in the Local Spins on WYCE podcast. Learn more about Walton, his band and the new album; listen to this week’s radio show.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
This late February roundup of releases by Michigan artists has something for a myriad of musical tastes: rock, jazz, folk, electronic music and pop. Read the reviews, listen to tracks from each album.
Concert reviews · Local Spins Rewind · Photos · Videos
Thousands filled The Intersection on Valentine’s Day 2020 to celebrate the best regional music of the year with impressive performances on three stages. With this year’s edition of the Jammie Awards indefinitely postponed due to COVID, browse highlights from last year’s big night in words, photos and video.
It’s Feb. 2, which means it’s time to honor groundhogs, “underground” musical gems we’ve dug up and, of course, that classic Bill Murray movie that most of us have replayed again and again and again. Check out this unique soundtrack at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
This week’s edition of the WYCE show that spotlights Michigan music spanned the state, with tracks from Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Petoskey, Traverse City, Marquette and more. Listen to the full radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio
On the eve of their Ann Arbor Folk Festival performance, the Traverse City indie-folksters reveal their affection for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fiona Apple and Patrick Carroll, plus a current, classic fave. Listen to tracks from all of the albums at Local Spins.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
This week’s Local Spins playlist comes courtesy of the staff at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, spotlighting songs that represent past concerts, theatre productions and popular film screenings. Listen to the tracks and get an update on the status of Wealthy Theatre at Local Spins.
This mid-January roundup of regional releases ranges from Roger MacNaughton’s soothing instrumentals to singer-songwriter Jeff Socia’s debut album to some robust Americana gems. Read the reviews, listen to the music at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Venue Spotlight
The legendary Division Avenue hot spot for teens which staged its last show in 2009 is under renovation by former operator Mark Leech. Learn more about this plan to fill a regional void in all-ages venues and watch some historical show footage at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Playlists
Over the last couple of months, Local Spins has debuted impressive music by new or little-known Michigan artists who deserve more attention. Here are 12 tracks by them that you shouldn’t miss, from Mark Huizenga to L. Supreme to Colt Snuffer & The Dead Horsemen.
Today, Local Spins rounds up some Michigan-related music news that’s getting national attention, including a new collaboration starring Sufjan Stevens, a pair of big TV appearances for The War and Treaty, and a sneak peek into the upcoming studio album from Greta Van Fleet. Get the updates and watch the videos at Local Spins.
Album reviews · Audio · Videos
The first regional albums roundup of 2020 spotlights artists from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Traverse City, and covers a broad spectrum of genres. Get the lowdown on these recordings and sample tracks from all of the releases.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
The New Year’s Day edition of Local Spins on WYCE not only debuted new tracks by more than a half-dozen Michigan artists, but revisited some of the best music from special guests on the show in 2020. Listen to the full radio show podcast.
Local Spins Rewind · Playlists · Videos
The No. 2 story of the year was produced in quarantine by Local Spins writer Troy Reimink, who concocted a mid-March, elbow bump-worthy soundtrack for the viral apocalypse. Check out this uber-popular post and listen to the COVID-inspired tracks he assembled.
The raging COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stem the 2020 tide of new music — some inspired by the crisis as well as other events in a tumultuous year. Local Spins writers reveal their faves from a most unusual year.
Artist Spotlights · Audio · Videos
The West Michigan visual artist and musician moved to France in early 2020 and has embraced the vibrant city. Learn more about his relocation and his upcoming Americana/punk album; listen to a new track from the forthcoming release.
This mid-December roundup of new releases by West Michigan artists ranges from the soothing to the rousing, from the dreamy to the thought-provoking, and from the heart-pounding to the unique collaboration of Oxford Fields. Get the back story on these releases and listen to selected tracks at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Frontman Jacob Betts opened up about the Grand Rapids rock band for this week’s Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted fresh tracks by May Erlewine, Steve Leaf, Pink Sky and more. Get the back story about The American Hotel System, watch a video from Dogtown Studio and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Welcome to a pre-Christmas flurry of new releases by Michigan artists, from instrumental flair to hip hop to rock to funk to singer-songwriter charm. Check out today’s reviews and listen to tracks from each album.
The November chart reflecting airplay of regional albums at WYCE-FM mostly just reshuffled entries from October, with one new album debut. Get details, listen to tracks from each release.
Albums that Changed the World · Audio · Features
Today, Local Spins kicks off a new series from writer Ross Boissoneau exploring the recordings that have most influenced the careers and artistry of well-known Michigan musicians. We start with Brian Vander Ark. View his Top 3, with links to listen to the featured albums.
Mid-November brings another review roundup of new releases by West Michigan artists covering a dizzying array of genres. Read the reviews, listen to tracks from each of the featured artists.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
For this week’s playlist, Local Spins asked Park Theatre to rustle up a roster of robust tracks that spotlight regional bands who’ve graced its stage along with some gems from internationally renowned artists.
The signature, heartfelt sophomore album from the Albion duo now based in Nashville soared to the top of the October chart which also saw the debut of new releases by Patty PerShayla and The Soods. Cameron Blake and Earth Radio returned to the chart for the second month in a row. Browse the chart and listen to tracks from each of the featured artists at Local Spins.
For this Election Day playlist, Local Spins asked a panel of musicians to cast their ballots for emerging black artists with great potential from the region who deserve a brighter spotlight. Browse their picks, listen to the music.
Artist Spotlights · Features · Videos
Today, Local Spins debuts ‘Periscope,’ with Grand Rapids ‘New Standards’ hosts Troy Reimink and Tricia Woolfenden each picking a compelling new track by a national artist deserving the spotlight. Get into the know, listen to the new music to start your Sunday.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids singer-songwriter opens up about his dynamic, electric new project for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by Callab, Brant Satala, May Erlewine, Young Ritual, Anonymous Phone Call, The Brothers Crunch, Justin “Stovepipe” Stover and other Michigan artists. Get the back story on Cameron Blake and listen to the radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Today, Local Spins partners with a local filmmaking team to launch a new video series examining the plight of several West Michigan concert venues shut down by COVID-19. Watch the video showcasing The Pyramid Scheme exclusively at Local Spins.
New albums from River City Narrative and Anonymous Phone Call are also part of this week’s roundup of new Michigan releases. Check out the reviews and listen to music from each of this week’s featured artists.
It’s been a productive 2020 for many West Michigan bands debuting new music, with some of them releasing captivating videos to accompany those tracks. Check 10 of them out in this mid-October roundup, from The Accidentals to Brother Wolf to Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps.
