Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Grand Rapids old-timey folk group Hawks & Owls came in to perform and chat about the upcoming Grand River Water Festival, while electronic/rock duo AOK talked about their upcoming video release party at Mexicains Sans Frontieres. Plus more local gems. Listen to the entire podcast and check out a video of Hawks & Owls performing in-studio.
Here’s a great soundtrack to kick off the summer, courtesy of folk-rock’s The Crane Wives, with My Morning Jacket, Lake Street Dive, Radiohead, Shakey Graves and more spotlighted in their Guest Playlist. Check out all the tracks, videos and a Spotify version to play.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
Now based in Traverse City after years in Grand Rapids, Stover is recording a new studio album at Amber Lit Audio and literally writing ‘365 Songs for 365 People.’ He plays Elk Brewing on Thursday. Read the back story of this remarkable one-man band and watch a video of him playing his contraption.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Despite some rainy weather, the shows must go on. And they did, with country’s Jake Owens and more in Martin, regional stars at Circle Pines Center, rock and blues in Rockford, and indoor gems in Grand Rapids. Check out three full photo galleries from all the events and a roundup of the week’s musical action at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The super-deluxe, star-studded edition of Local Spins on WYCE (Episode No. 42) boasted in-studio appearances and performances by acts offering up house concerts in a WYCE auction, plus brand new music from Scott Pellegrom and The Tosspints. Check out the podcast and watch the video of the first-ever live collaboration between Big Dudee Roo and Rick Chyme.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Videos
Sparked by his third-place finish on the NBC show, the Traverse City singer-songwriter has a crazy Michigan summer concert schedule ahead. Tickets for the Grand Rapids show go on sale Friday. Get details and information about other upcoming Davis concerts.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
Set in an out-of-the-way camp between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, the three-day fest boasts sets by Billy Strings & Don Julin, The Crane Wives, The Accidentals, Alexis, Maraj, Brown Rice Family, That 1 Guy, Sparky & Rhonda Rucker and more. See the full schedule and save it on your smartphone.
Artist Spotlights · Live at River City · Podcasts · Videos
In another exclusive video performance and interview, Traverse City’s hottest trio talks about being on the road as minors, an upcoming new studio album and being ‘socially awkward.’ And check out in-studio performances of brand new unreleased songs.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
With hundreds of West Michigan performers jamming stages in downtown Grand Rapids this weekend, Local Spins spotlights some must-see acts in this guide to “the best of Fest,” courtesy of Local Spins writers and some well-known local musicians. See who’ve they’ve picked.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The Crane Wives, Max Lockwood and Tom Hymn packed Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge like never before, while The Outer Vibe celebrated release of its new album with American WiFi, Desmond Jones and Watching for Foxes. Check out the photos and video, plus images from concerts by Wayland and Sepultura,
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Weekend Photo Gallery
The third week in May revved up with Ryley Walker, the return of Nathan Kalish & The Lastcallers, Buses by the Beach and the Local Spins Third Anniversary Celebration at Rockford Brewing with Devin & The Dead Frets, who also appeared on the 39th edition of Local Spins on WYCE. Check out the photos, listen to the podcast.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Summer and fall concert announcements keep rolling out, with rootsy Michigan acts playing Riverside Park in June, Lynyrd Skynyrd firing up Bike Time, Steel Wheels launching the Acoustic Cafe series, and Martha Reeves and Joshua Davis playing Ann Arbor’s Sonic Lunch. See all the lineups in this Local Spins roundup.
Concert reviews · Features · Photos
Invigorating sets by The Accidentals, Fauxgrass and Bigfoot Buffalo – plus a display of all those vintage VW buses – capped Saturday’s timeless entertainment. Read the re-cap of Saturday’s big day along Lake Michigan, check out the Local Spins photo gallery and listen to audio from Friday’s set by Roosevelt Diggs.
Breaking music news · Features
In a Local Spins interview, the northern Michigan singer-songwriter says it’s ‘really good to be home’ and planning his next move after a star-studded experience on the NBC show. But would he do it all over again?
Artist Spotlights · Podcasts · Videos
Michael Boxer and Laura Crosswait, formerly known as Fiddleface, already have one album under their belts with another in the works. They play Rockford Brewing on Thursday night. Read the back story about this fast-emerging band and check out an exclusive video of a new song.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows
The band closes out this weekend’s Buses by the Beach benefit along Lake Michigan, with The Accidentals, Roosevelt Diggs and more also performing. Rootstand releases a new EP this summer, followed by “focused” touring. Read the Local Spins feature and see the full Bus Benefit lineup.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Videos
Michigan songwriter Joshua Davis made an “incredible” run to the finals of the NBC singing competition. Finishing third is actually a plus: He’s now a national star with a bright future. Read the Local Spins commentary and check out a video of Davis’ on-air debut of an original song.
The week started with the Pigpen Theatre Company’s theatrical folk and kept rolling with Brad Fritcher’s MOODS, Pokey LaFarge, Billy Strings & Don Julin, some mid-May festivals and plenty more, captured in images at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Features · Videos
Traverse City’s Joshua Davis was saved on Tuesday, after a week in which he also sparked more attention for West Michigan’s burgeoning music scene. See what other regional roots acts are on the cusp of a national breakout.
Features · Upcoming shows · Videos
LaFarge brings a national tour with his band in support of a new album, “Something in the Water” – and his vintage, stylistic authenticity – to Grand Rapids’ Pyramid Scheme this week. Read the Local Spins interview with Brian J. Bowe.
This live music week in West Michigan also boasted shows by The Accidentals, Fauxgrass, Hey Marco!, Full Catastrophe, Hall & Oates and, yes, a Traverse City homecoming bash for “The Voice’s” Joshua Davis. Check out the full photo gallery at Local Spins.
May’s batch of Local Spins album reviews covers the gamut from soul to folk, a round-up that also includes new releases from Plain Jane Glory, Watching for Foxes and Complicated Animals. Check out the reviews, with links to audio samples and upcoming gig schedules for the featured bands.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
With so many “killer” grooves and “mind-blowing” sounds shaped in a Kalamazoo studio, the Grand Rapids folk-rock band decides to drop not one but two CDs, with first out in late August. And check out a video for their new song, “Turn Out the Lights.”
“The Voice” and Sawyer Fredericks showcased an Erlewine tune this week, making it a Top 10 iTunes hit. She returns the favor by spotlighting Joshua Davis and other Michigan artists on a Local Spins Guest Playlist, including Joshua Davis.
Breaking music news · Features
Update: Song soars up singles charts. Erlewine joins Joshua Davis as Michigan’s second Earthwork Music singer-songwriter spotlighted by the NBC show, with Fredericks getting special permission to perform the tune. Read the back story about how the tune was chosen and what it means to Michigan’s music scene.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Videos
Local Spins’ third anniversary celebration in May will feature shows by some of our readers’ favorite bands, all of whom have much-anticipated new albums on the way. See which other Michigan acts ranked high among reader favorites and find out who won our Local Spins gift packages.
Michigan’s favorite musical son advances once again in the NBC singing competition, giving a shout-out to his mother in the process. Read the story and check out the video of his performance this week.
Icons representing vastly different genres and musical approaches descended on Grand Rapids Thursday and Friday, and Local Spins was there to document the three sold-out shows. Check out the reviews and photo gallery.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
Episode No. 35 of Local Spins on WYCE was a rollicking double-header with in-studio performances by The Appleseed Collective and Moxieville, plus a chat with Craig “Griff” Griffith of the GR Musician Collective. The show also debuted a song by his duo, The ElectroCats, Grand Rapids jazz singer Kathy LaMar and northern Michigan’s Crazy Chestur. Listen to the entire podcast and check out a video of The Appleseed Collective’s performance.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Springtime music celebrations get the warm-weather festival ball rolling in West Michigan, with Heaters, The Accidentals and more heating up the Local First bash and northern Kent County’s Bona-Who expanding to two days. Check out the lineups.
A founding member of the celebrated Carolina Chocolate Drops plays Grand Rapids on Friday, touring behind her solo album, “Tomorrow is My Turn.” Read the Local Spins interview and listen to her incredible interpretation of a classic song.
Artist Spotlights · Upcoming shows · Videos
The Grand Rapids trio has ‘fun no matter what.’ The band known for its lively shows and story-telling plays SpeakEZ Lounge on Wednesday night as part of the Local Spins Wednesdays series. Read the back story about the group and check out the video.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Lippies were this week’s in-studio guests delivering acoustic renditions of their feminist pop-punk, with the show also featuring song debuts by Brother Adams, Vox Vidorra, Black Monuments, Puzzlecuts and more. Listen to the radio podcast, watch the video, read the story.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The rootsy August festival returns to Shagbark Farm in southern Kent County with more than a dozen acts and a ‘Stampede Mud Run,’ too. Check out the Michigan band lineup and details.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Cheers! Local Spins is turning 3. Check out our big birthday events in May (including the debut of a new Local Spins microbrew), then give us a list of your favorite Michigan bands to win festival tickets, CDs, T-shirts and more.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
There were lots of musical goodies to devour the week after Easter, including Michigan acts Asamu Johnson, E Minor, The Extra Texture, Shane Tripp, Desmond Jones, and a ton of others at Jake’s Music Festival, including PotatoeBabies and Sext Farm. Check out the photo gallery and video.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The popular regional music series kicks off for 2015 with world music on July 7 and wraps up with Ralston & Friends, with a host of impressive local acts in between. Check out the full season schedule and some highlights from last year.
Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
Interlochen’s summer of music opens with Michael McDonald in mid-June and wraps up with O.A.R on Sept. 1. Tickets go on sale April 24. See the full lineup.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements · Summer Concerts
First-time Meijer Gardens acts Gary Clark Jr., The New Pornographers, Patty Griffin are on tap with returnees Steve Miller, Indigo Girls, O.A.R., Bela Fleck and The Doobie Brothers in the mix. Member tickets go on sale April 25. See the entire lineup here.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Upcoming shows
Raised in an ultra-musical family, the singer-songwriter with collaborative ties to Blake Elliott and The Accidentals plays the Grand Rapids area this week. Read the story and check out a video/podcast of her appearance on Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks from several West Michigan bands.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows · Videos
To show support for the Earthwork Music artist, the Grand Rapids Community Media Center has organized a live simulcast of the TV reality show this week, and supporters urge fans to vote for Davis. Get details here.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Easter week yielded an intriguing mix of performances around West Michigan, from Darlingside and Tall Heights in Spring Lake to South of Wealthy Trio in Rockford to the Mike G’s birthday bash and the annual LadyFest GR celebration. Check out the photos at Local Spins.
Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts
To celebrate kickoff of the 2015 spring fund drive, Edition No. 31 of Local Spins on WYCE chatted with longtime WYCE supporter and singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma, who also performed a song on the air. Listen to the full podcast.
Breaking music news · Features
The northern Michigan singer-songwriter took the next step in the TV reality show competition, continuing to wow judges with his vocals. He’ll now move on to the live performance round. Read the post-show Local Spins interview with Davis and watch the video from Monday’s show.
Heart boasted the weekend’s biggest show at Van Andel Arena, but there were more stars in the limelight, including local bands Moxieville, The Outer Vibe, Heavier Than Air Flying Machines, Big Dudee Roo, Steve Rivers, Comments of Aether and more. Check out the amazing photos and show roundup in the Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Live music in the great outdoors is everywhere – often free – across West Michigan every summer. Here are the first few announcements of summer lineups featuring regional acts. See the schedules thus far.
Breaking music news · Commentary · Photos
Traverse City’s The Accidentals made their mark with Billboard magazine and industry folks at last week’s mega-event in Texas, but Local Spins writer Troy Reimink found plenty of other SXSW highlights amid the musical chaos. Check out his report and a SXSW photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Fun music aplenty. This weekend’s roundup of live music images ranges from The Lacs’ country rap to the Mummies’ funk to Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish’s rockabilly to The Go Rounds’ rootsy-but-danceable vibe to Kathy Lamar’s jazz and more. Scan the complete photo gallery.
Features · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The 30th edition of the radio show that spotlights West Michigan’s music got up close and personal with the rootsy, Dead-like Bigfoot Buffalo from Grand Rapids, who made their in-studio, on-air debut. And it debuted new tracks from several regional acts. (Podcast, video)
This week’s mammoth SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas, is one of the music industry’s biggest events. Several West Michigan bands have made the trip to make their mark and soak it all in. Local Spins asked some of them to provide their impressions in “diary” entries. Here are two of them. See who they’ve been rubbing elbows with thus far.
