Kris Hitchcock set to release new album; Crane Wives among few Michigan acts to play Ann Arbor Folk Fest; Sleigh Bells ring up Detroit

Local Spins’ November news update: Kalamazoo’s Hitchcock signs with Nashville booking agent, Crane Wives and Appleseed Collective get Ann Arbor Folk Fest love, and Local Spins’ Sleigh Bells concert photo gallery.

 

FULL OF ‘AMERICAN FIRE,’ HITCHCOCK AIMS TO GROW HIS AUDIENCE

As a fast-emerging country artist, Kalamazoo’s Kris Hitchcock has wasted little time releasing new material. And now, he’s got a Nashville booking agency to help him take the next step in building his audience across the Midwest.

The singer-songwriter and frontman for Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son plans to release his “American Fire” EP on Nov. 27 in a special show at The Warehouse in Battle Creek, about 10 months after the band released its “Rewind” CD. The new six-track EP (which includes a seventh bonus track for folks who pre-ordered the album) was recorded at Aimeeland Studios in Nashville.

Hitchcock, who was selected earlier this year to participate in a prestigious ASCAP program that pairs unsigned talent with established Nashville publishers, said he’s “more proud” of the songs on the new EP.

“The writing is that much better, I think leaps and bounds ahead of where I was before,” he told Local Spins. “The last album was a smorgasbord of musical styles, where this one the songs really are honing into one sound, the type of sound I want to make.”

The album, he said, also moves away from “cute, tongue-in-cheek country … toward a more realistic, daily life commentary soundtrack” for Midwest life.

Hitchcock also now will have help from Nashville’s Ol’ Boy Booking, led by Ryan Beuschel, in expanding “the artist’s reach to new venues and regions” after the agency signed the signed the singer to a multi-year deal.

“After seeing one of Kris Hitchcock’s high-energy shows, I knew I had to work with him. His talent, drive and determination are unmatched,” Beuschel said in a prepared statement. “It’s only a matter of time before Kris is a household name.”

Get $7 tickets to the EP-release show in Battle Creek online here.

THE CRANE WIVES, APPLESEED COLLECTIVE, JEFF DANIELS JOIN BIG STARS AT A2 FOLK FESTIVAL

Iron and Wine, Patty Griffin, Neko Case, Ingrid Michaelson and Justin Townes Earle may qualify as the high-profile national acts and beguiling draws for the 2014 Ann Arbor Folk Festival, but a couple of rising Michigan stars will make their debuts at the prestigious Jan. 31-Feb. 1 event, too.

Grand Rapids’ folk-rock band The Crane Wives and Ann Arbor folk/jazz/Americana ensemble The Appleseed Collective – two emerging powerhouses on the folk scene – will share the bill at the upcoming festival hosted by The Ark as an annual fundraiser at Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus. It’s the 37th year of the festival.

“We’re all completely honored to be a part of Ann Arbor Folk Fest this year and absolutely cannot wait for the opportunity to share the stage with so many of our musical influences,” guitarist and singer Emilee Petersmark of The Crane Wives told Local Spins. “This is really big for us, as a local band given the opportunity to represent Grand Rapids.”

The Crane Wives will perform on Saturday, which will also feature sets by Americana singer-songwriting icons Griffin (with an album of new material plus the much-delayed release of her “Silver Bell” record) and Michaelson, Michigan’s own Jeff Daniels (the renowned actor and singer who’s in the midst of recording a new studio album), Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Johnnyswim and Pigpen Theatre Co.

Friday’s lineup boasts headliner Iron & Wine, who’ll appear with a full band touring behind a new album, Case, Earle, Willie Nile, Pearl and the Beard, Thao (from the Get Down Stay Down) and The Appleseed Collective. Roots artist Seth Walker will serve as emcee both evenings.

“Seriously, it’s incredible to be included in such an impressive folk line-up,” said Petersmark. “Also, it’s really unbelievable to think we’ll be playing the same night as Patty Griffin.”

The Ark’s member pre-sale currently is under way, with tickets priced at $45 for one night or $85 for both nights (not counting pricier gold and platinum circle tickets for the best seats). The student pre-sale takes place Nov. 18-23, with the public tickets — $35 and $47.50 for one night, $60 and $85 for two nights – going on sale Dec. 2 by calling (734) 763-TKTS, in person at The Ark or Michigan Union in Ann Arbor, or online at www.mutotix.com. The concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. both nights. Details online here.

SLEIGH BELLS ROCK ST. ANDREW’S HALL IN DETROIT: THE LOCAL SPINS PHOTO GALLERY

Last month, Brooklyn’s acclaimed noise-pop band the Sleigh Bells released their third studio album, “Bitter Rivals,” which Pitchfork called “a cheap thrill ride,” but Spin celebrated as “sly and sleek” and “fight-pop for grownups.” Entertainment Weekly raved that the band is “still loud and lovely, but with a fresh dose of dynamism.”

On Tuesday, singer Alexis Krauss, guitarist Derek Edward Miller and crew rolled into Motown with a drummer for the Sleigh Bells’ only Michigan tour stop flaunting plenty of that dynamism, enough to inject real verve into the crowd of several hundred fans on hand, according to Local Spins photographer Anthony Norkus.

“Alexis looked great and was bouncing all over the stage while the guys concentrated on their guitar shredding. They brought a drummer with them this time which they didn’t have at The Intersection show (in Grand Rapids last year),” Norkus noted. “Crowd was really getting into it. One of the security guys in front of the stage was even dancing along to the music. Alexis saw this and said something like, ‘Wow, this is the first time I ever saw one of the bouncers getting down at one of our shows.’ Alexis ended the final song with a small crowd surf on her back.”

Check out the photos by Norkus here.