With this new feature, Local Spins rounds up a bevy of upcoming recordings by West Michigan bands and solo artists, with some audio and video samples to boot.
New Album: The Muteflutes release their third full-length project at Tip Top Deluxe this weekend.
Busy Summer: A host of West Michigan artists release new albums this summer.
West Michigan may be in the midst of a banner year for new recordings by artists whose inspiration comes from the Mitten State and its ultra-collaborative music scene.
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West Michigan's music scene
With this new regular feature, you can track upcoming CD, EP and LP releases by local and regional artists.
So make note of these red-letter dates and support your local musicians. And if you’re a band with a new album on the way and want to be listed here, email john@localspins.com with the artist name, album title, release date and information about the album and your release party.
UPCOMING WEST MICHIGAN ALBUM RELEASES
JUNE 1
The Accidentals (Traverse City), “Parking Lot EP”
EP-release shows Thursday at Founders Brewing, Friday at the Maplewood Concert Series in Livonia, Saturday at Pumpstock in East Lansing
The indie-folk trio’s first studio release in nearly three years reflects the growth and nearly non-stop touring by the young band.
VIDEO: The Accidentals, “Michigan and Again”
JUNE 3
The Muteflutes (Grand Rapids), “Hideaway Love”
This talented, folk-hued Grand Rapids band recorded its third album in Minneapolis and releases it at 8 p.m. Saturday at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids with guests Tom Hymn and Major Murphy.
AUDIO: The Muteflutes, “Racing”
JUNE 4
The Duffield/Caron Project (Kalamazoo), “Alright, You Win”
The CD-release show for this “blues, boogie and ballads” group takes place at 5 p.m. Saturday at Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo.
JUNE 10
Bangups (Grand Rapids), “Candy Cigarettes”
This rock band’s latest project was recorded with the legendary Steve Albini in Chicago.
AUDIO: The Bangups, “Imposter”
JUNE 17
Jonny Carroll (Grand Rapids), “Leaving on the Light”
CD-release show June 17 at The DAAC in Grand Rapids
This singer-songwriter has busked across the U.K. and the States with his engaging songs and inviting voice, recording his latest album at Social Recording in Adrian, Mich., with Jake Rye.
JUNE 18
Sligh West (Grand Rapids), “Sligh Boulevard”
Matthew “Sligh” West’s new hip hop project officially gets unveiled June 18 as part of the Carrier Street Block Party in Grand Rapids, with a host of other acts also performing.
AUDIO: Sligh, “Sligh Boulevard”
Plain Jane Glory (Muskegon), “Grace of Hours”
This Americana/folk/bluegrass duo’s CD-release show takes place at Unruly Brewing on June 18 with Charlie James & The Silver Tongue Devils.
JUNE 25
The Red Sea Pedestrians (Kalamazoo), “See Through The Eyes Of Osiris!”
Album-release show is June 25 at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe with Guitar Up!
This project recorded at band member Ian Gorman’s La Luna Recording in Kalamazoo and released by Earthwork Music is billed as the world music-hued group’s “most ambitious and adventurous album yet”
Nicholas James & The Bandwagon (Grand Rapids), “Tall Tall Tales”
CD-release show is June 25 at Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids
Led by Nicholas James Thomasma, this full-band project rolls out more of the band’s country-hued musical stories.
VIDEO: Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, “Bus Life”
Silverstiles (Grand Rapids), “Long Time to be Gone”
The band’s CD-release show is June 25 at The DAAC in Grand Rapids, with Murder Party and Stovepipe Stover.
This Grand Rapids rock band with a California country-rock vibe recorded its new album at Goon Lagoon studios.
AUDIO: Silverstiles, “Heartache”
LATE JUNE
Diff & Dudley (Grand Rapids), “Here’s Diff & Dudley”
Jack Leaver, Mitch Wood and an all-star cast of Michigan musicians unfurl some stellar vintage country songs and plenty of twang on this alt-country project recorded at Goon Lagoon studios.
AUDIO: Diff & Dudley, “Don’t Wake Daddy”
JULY 3
Seth Bernard (Traverse City), “Eggtones for Peace”
CD-release show July 3 at Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids with Breathe Owl Breathe
The Earthwork Music founder’s newest project features plenty of socially conscious lyrics, unusual instrumentation and production by The Crane Wives’ Dan Rickabus and Ian Gorman of La Luna Recording in Kalamazoo.
VIDEO: Seth Bernard, “Eggtones for Peace”
JULY 9
Devin & The Dead Frets (Grand Rapids), “Devin & The Dead Frets”
CD-release show July 9 at Founders Brewing Co. with Brother Adams and The Legal Immigrants
This long-awaited full-length debut album from this Grand Rapids rock band shows off the group’s rootsy rock charm.
AUDIO: Devin & The Dead Frets’ “Broken Little Fingers”
I Believe in Julio (Grand Rapids), “An Episodic Memory”
This ever-entertaining punk outfit led by Julio Gomez is releasing its new album on cassette on July 9 at The Pyramid Scheme with FLUSHED and Bong Mountain also on the bill.
JULY 15
May Erlewine (Traverse City), “Lean Into the Wind” EP
Release shows for this new EP laid down by the Earthwork Music singer-songwriter and friends at La Luna Recording take place July 15 at The Ark in Ann Arbor and July 16 at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo. (She also plays Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake at 7:30 p.m. Sunday)
VIDEO: May Erlewine, “Nothing But Love”
JULY 23
Coffin Problem (Grand Rapids), “Coffin Problem”
LP-release is July 23 at The Pyramid Scheme with Heaven’s Gateway Drugs, Glassfield and Prudence
Led by Sean Stearns, this Grand Rapids rock band’s psychedelic, self-titled LP is touted as offering up “big, cinematic, Midwestern rock ‘n’ roll.”
AUDIO: Coffin Problem, “Child of the Sun”
AUG. 5
Heaters (Grand Rapids), “Baptistina”
This 10-song LP by the psych-rock band was recorded with Peter Fox at Stone House Recording in Grand Rapids will be available in green or black vinyl as well as in CD format when it gets released in Brooklyn.
AUDIO: Heaters, “Centennial”
AUG. 19
Claire Fisher (Grand Rapids), “And Friends”
Recorded at Amber Lit Audio in Grand Rapids, Claire Fisher celebrates release of her new album on Aug. 19 at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids.
The Legal Immigrants (Grand Rapids), “Panacea”
The follow-up to “Drugs To Roses” also was recorded with Tommy Schichtel at Goon Lagoon studios in Grand Rapids. The band hosts a CD-release show at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids.
AUG. 21
The Concussions (Grand Rapids), “Newaygo Sound Machine”
CD-release show on Aug. 21 at the Red Dock in Saugatuck
West Michigan’s surf rock kings emerge from Goon Lagoon studios with yet another vintage-sounding classic.
SEPT. 16
Stepladders (Grand Rapids), “Stepladders”
Singer-songwriter and Earthwork Music manager Bill Chesney unveils his debut album at the Earthwork Harvest Gathering on Sept 16.
SEPT. 17
Dirt Chili (Grand Rapids), “Shot & A Smoke”
This hard-rock alt-metal band hosts a CD release show at The Stache inside The Intersection on Sept. 17.
OCT. 8
Matt Ten Clay & The Howlers (Grand Rapids)
Studio maven Matt Ten Clay and crew host an album-release show on Oct. 8 at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids.
NOV. 11
The JetBeats, “Mach ’64”
NOV. 12
Four Lincolns, “Four Lincolns”
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
