Blues/R&B
JMSN shares video for soulful new single “Cruel Intentions”
Los Angeles-via-Eastpointe singer JMSN puts in work. What began with his mother cold-calling A&R reps and a young Christian Berishaj recording an entire album (including playing all the instruments) when he was eighteen years old led to a contract with Atlantic Records. After leaving Atlantic, signing to another major label (the now defunct Universal…
Jack White covers Stevie Wonder with The Muppets
Detroit native Jack White recently made an appearance on The Muppets season finale to give the show’s famed house band Electric Mayhem a turn in their ever-rotating cast of backing musicians. His appearance had been promoted in a teaser in which the former White Stripe performed “Fell in Love with a Girl” alongside a…
Eryn Allen Kane — Aviary: Act II
At the end of 2015, I praised Eryn Allen Kane’s debut EP, Aviary: Act I, as one of the best albums of the year, going so far as to say “she could sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,’ and it would probably be one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.” Not one to…
Electric Forest Festival announces 2016 lineup via Reddit
Electric Forest Festival — a four-day, multi-genre event with a focus on electronic acts and jam bands — returns to Rothbury, Michigan this summer for its sixth consecutive year. Once again, tickets sold out in record time, well in advance of the lineup announcement. Now the wait is over, as on Tuesday, Phase One…
Hamtramck Music Festival unveils 200+ local band lineup
Next month marks the third annual Hamtramck Music Festival. This three-day event brings together more than 200 bands across 24 Detroit-area venues. HMF is “powered by the people” as the musicians and organizers are all volunteers. Three-day wristbands are just $10, and all proceeds go to the nonprofit group Ben’s Encore, which provides instruments, music lessons, and scholarships to youth…
Third Man Records hosts water drive for Flint victims
Third Man Records Cass Corridor has answered Michigan’s call to help the victims of Flint’s water fiasco. From now through Monday, January 25, TMR is asking that shoppers donate gallons and cases of water to be delivered to Flint residents in need. In return, those who participate will receive a raffle ticket for every…
Headlining Events: January 2016
With 2015 in the books, we’re ready to start 2016 with a bang. We hope your resolution involves going to more shows and listening to new music. With that in mind, here’s our shortlist of events we recommend checking out this month. Secret Friends Fest 3 Friday, January 8 – Sunday, January 10 7:30…
The Year in Music 2015: Detroit’s 10 Best Albums
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…
The Year in Music 2015: Honorable Mentions
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…