The mark of a great album is always a balance between cohesion and contrasts. This natural push and pull between unity and diversity draws a listener closer and more articulately paints the big picture. Artists who have mastered the strategy behind music-making, production, promotion, and release often see their work celebrated for more than their…
Detroit’s boundless creativity meant there was a surfeit of memorable releases in 2015. It’s a good predicament to be in, but when compiling our publication’s choices for the top 10 albums of the year, we had to leave many solid records off the table. The following list highlights works that our staff members feel stood…
Everyone knows that Detroit has an unparalleled musical tradition. From Motown soul and pulsing techno to unapologetically loud garage rock and everything in between, we have been the starting point for multiple genres and the benchmark for many more. We are a historically musical city and have maintained that well into the twenty-first century. Our…
Nothing stops Detroit, as is evident by the plethora of amazing musical offerings from the city this past year. The city has always had a reputation as an industrial behemoth, its successes and failures dependent on notions of innovation and toughness. This drive bleeds into the arts and culture as well, with the rise of…
Detroit has always been a mecca for live music. Whether we were checking out old-timers trade blues licks at Campus Martius, getting our fix at the venerable Masonic Temple, bobbing our heads to hip-hop showcases at The Majestic Theatre or Paycheck’s Lounge, leaving it all on the dance floor of Two James Spirits’ Annex, or…
“Collective of artists and occasional record label” No Rest Until Ruin will host their second annual No Rest Fest on Saturday, December 19 at warehouse venue Tires. Twelve bands will play ten-minute sets in rapid succession, with Clear Soul Forces, The Armed, Old Gods, and Mexican Knives among them. Tires also features an indoor skate ramp,…
Now in its tenth iteration, Mittenfest will be hosted at Bona Sera Restaurant in Ypsilanti, MI from December 29 through January 2. The benefit concerts will raise funds for 826michigan, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting young students in their creative and expository writing endeavors. Over the course of the festival’s nine-year history, it…
Cherished DIY music venue and living space Trumbullplex is seeking donations for one of its housing units that is in dire need of repair. Since it was collectivized in 1993, nearly everyone in Detroit’s local music scene has been to Trumbullplex’s theatre space for donation-based events and entertainment. With $35,000 needed for the renovation,…
Josh Smith and Josh Freed of Detroit-based cosmic-trap duo Gosh Pith have released their first original track since the debut of their Window EP in May. Clocking in at just over two minutes, “Gold Chain” epitomizes short but sweet. The song begins with minimalist, strumming guitar chords accompanied by the punctuation of a…
The big story last week may have been the grand opening of the Third Man Records Cass Corridor outpost in Jack White’s hometown of Detroit, but after taking a brief moment to celebrate, the label is back on its mission of releasing unique work by one-of-a-kind artists. Today, the imprint announced that it will…