Month: November 2024

Changing Course — The Steve Taylor Three Ponders New Beginnings and Closed Chapters on “Temporary Heart” Album

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Bryan Frink, Steve Taylor, and Carey Weaver of The Steve Taylor Three. Photo courtesy of Steve Taylor

The passage of time weighs heavily on Steve Taylor’s mind.

The Metro Detroit singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist ponders new beginnings and closed chapters on The Steve Taylor Three’s new album, Temporary Heart.

“The songs were all written in the same period, so there were certain themes that were on my mind—certainly aging,” Taylor said. “I’m 51 now, so turning 50 was a big deal from an age standpoint.”

Alongside bandmates Bryan Frink (bass, guitars, keys, vocals) and Carey Weaver (drums, percussion, vocals), Taylor explores changing family dynamics, fluctuating relationships, and childhood memories on the trio’s fifth release.

“A good friend of mine that I grew up with got married very young and then got divorced,” Taylor said. “That’s what the song, ‘Anymore,’ is about and love comes with age. I keep saying that the topics that are most on my mind right now are aging and the weather.”

On Temporary Heart, The Steve Taylor Three features a dozen heartfelt tracks bursting with rich harmonies, ruminative lyrics, and vibrant Midwest Americana instrumentation.

While the songs reflect on the fleeting nature of change, the album’s universal themes and infectious soundscapes remain deeply embedded in our hearts and minds.

To learn more, I spoke with Taylor about Temporary Heart ahead of the band’s November 29 album release show.

Continue reading “Changing Course — The Steve Taylor Three Ponders New Beginnings and Closed Chapters on “Temporary Heart” Album” →

Sounds Like Michigan — Michigan Music Alliance Celebrates Relaunch With November 23 Fundraiser Show at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre

Editor’s note as of November 23, 2024: Frontier Ruckus is unable to perform at tonight’s Sounds Like Michigan show due to COVID.

The Michigan Music Alliance is ready to take center stage and shine a spotlight on the state’s music community.

The statewide nonprofit is marking its official relaunch with Sounds Like Michigan, a live music fundraiser taking place November 23 at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“We’ve spent the last year working behind the scenes to set the organization up for long-term success, especially when it comes to the educational programming we provide to Michigan musicians,” said Nicholas James Thomasma, interim executive director of the Michigan Music Alliance. “Now, it’s time to celebrate, and Sounds Like Michigan is a celebration of Michigan music.”

Detroit-Ypsilanti indie-folk-rock trio Frontier Ruckus is headlining the event, which also includes Detroit R&B artist ARI B, Grand Rapids alt-Latin band Cabildo, and Grand Rapids indie-rock band The American Hotel System.

“It’s an eclectic bill with a mix of well-known and up-and-coming artists from both sides of the state,” Thomasma said. “It’s bridging the gap between the two communities and showcasing the collaborative spirit of the Michigan music scene.”

During the show, the Michigan Music Alliance will unveil its programming for 2025 and acknowledge grants awarded for more than $23,000 from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the Great Lakes Energy People Fund.

It also will feature a Sounds of the Zoo-hosted silent auction for attendees to bid on exclusive items, including:

In addition, attendees can purchase 50/50 raffle tickets and limited-edition merchandise. Meanwhile, VIP ticket holders will receive a private performance and meet-and-greet with Frontier Ruckus before doors open. All proceeds from the show will go to the Michigan Music Alliance.

Local Spins editor and publisher John Sinkevics will emcee Sounds Like Michigan, which features the West Michigan music website as an event partner along with WYCE (88.1-FM) and Triumph Music Academy. Event sponsors include Our Family, Founders Brewing Co., Studio C, and Tee See Tee.

Tickets for Sounds Like Michigan are on sale now via the Grand Rapids Community Media website. VIP tickets are $100 and general admission tickets are $35.

The Michigan Music Alliance’s Sounds Like Michigan fundraiser show is November 23 at the Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Doors are at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. For details, visit the Michigan Music Alliance’s website.

My One and Only — Jeff Adams and 11:21 Pay Homage to Soulmates on “Everything … A Love Song”

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Jeff Adams celebrates finding true love on his latest single, “Everything … A Love Song,” with 11:21. Photo courtesy of Jeff Adams

Jeff Adams doesn’t mind stepping outside his comfort zone.

The St. Clair Shores, Michigan singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist entered unexpected musical territory while penning his latest single, “Everything … A Love Song.”

“I don’t usually write love songs. It’s not my forte, but I’m usually writing about the human condition and believing in yourself,” said Adams, who fronts the prog-rock collective 11:21 and plays guitar, keys, and piano.

“The first line that came to me was ‘You’re my everything,’ and I thought, ‘Oh no, this is a love song!’ And when a song takes over, it takes over like a monster. Until I record it and let it go, it has me completely consumed.”

What resulted is an inspirational ode to true love on “Everything … A Love Song,” which features personal lyrics and soaring prog-rock and Americana instrumentation.

Surrounded by grateful pedal steel and cello, Adams sings, “We walk side by side / ‘Cause you’re my everything / When you need me for support / I will do anything / When I let you deep inside / You handle my scary things / Together we can fly / And that’s the very thing / That keeps me coming back to you / It was always meant to be.”

“I am with a partner here, and I went and spent two years with her in LA during COVID. And then we bought a house and moved back here with three dogs, seven cats, and a bunny,” he said.

“Every time I got to the part, ‘You’re my everything,’ I couldn’t get it out of my head, so I was stuck … and I had to back-engineer it. Then I started to think about my partner, and I thought, ‘Yeah if you need me for support, I’ll do anything—don’t even think twice. When I let you deep inside, you handle my scary things—that’s trust.’”

Continue reading “My One and Only — Jeff Adams and 11:21 Pay Homage to Soulmates on “Everything … A Love Song”” →

State of the Art — GIG Conference Celebrates Michigan Art and Music November 8-10 at Jackson’s ART 634

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The weekend-long conference spotlights Michigan visual artists who specialize in concert photography, show posters, T-shirt designs, and album artwork.

Editor’s Note: The Stratton Setlist is a sponsor of GIG – The Art of Michigan Music.

Eight years ago, Chuck Marshall attended ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and left with a new idea.

The Life in Michigan blogger/co-publisher and Fans With Bands podcaster wanted to curate an art exhibit called GIG – The Art of Michigan Music, which focuses on the visual aspects of music.

“I’d met some great photographers and graphic artists in the local Michigan music scene and wanted to call attention to their work,” said Marshall, who’s from Ann Arbor and is a concert photographer.

“The Ann Arbor Art Center at the time accepted applications for people to curate an exhibit. I thought, ‘Why not?’ I contacted them and they were very helpful and receptive.”

Then Marshall contacted several artists and asked them to join the inaugural GIG – The Art of Michigan Music art show. It spotlighted artists who specialize in concert photography, show posters, T-shirt designs, and album artwork.

“That first show went over really well,” he said. “Over time, folks have asked if I’d do it again, and with work and other projects, I didn’t have time. Last year, my friends at Manchester Underground Music and Art—Steve Girbach and John Mooneyham—said, ‘Hey, you should do GIG again and we will help.’ So I said, ‘OK, let’s do it!’”

The trio quickly expanded GIG – The Art of Michigan Music into more than an art show and assembled a team of local musicians and music supporters to plan the event.

What resulted is a three-day conference packed with art exhibits, educational sessions, a mixer with Jennifer Westwood, live music, and a music market with local vendors.

“It was the rebirth of GIG – The Art of Michigan Music—bigger, better, stronger!” Marshall said. “It is The Six Million Dollar Man of art and music events if you will.”

Now, Marshall will realize his vision for GIG – The Art of Michigan Music November 8-10 at ART 634 in Jackson, Michigan.

I spoke with Marshall about GIG – The Art of Michigan Music ahead of next weekend’s event.

Continue reading “State of the Art — GIG Conference Celebrates Michigan Art and Music November 8-10 at Jackson’s ART 634” →

Getting Personal — Elroy Meltzer Examines Death and Grief on “And The Elderly Midnight” Album

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Elroy Meltzer’s Matt Noordhoff, Steven Meltzer, Pat Kargl, and Drake Fierge. Photo courtesy of Elroy Meltzer

Steven Meltzer takes a more personalized approach to songwriting on And The Elderly Midnight.

The Elroy Meltzer frontman examines internal struggles with death and grief on the indie-rock collective’s latest album via Midwest Gold Records.

“I wanted to go down that [path] and be more relatable. Not to say I’m a dark person by any means, but sadness and death are something that everyone has experienced and dealt with,” said Meltzer, the vocalist-guitarist of the Grand Rapids, Michigan collective.

“In our music scene, we’ve lost great people due to suicide or drug use. I’ve also had friends who have recently lost parents to cancer or are dealing with that currently. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s hard to maneuver through, but it’s happening.”

The album’s seven tracks uncover the emotional toll those experiences take on Meltzer, the people he knows, and the world around him. His perceptive lyrics and the collective’s earnest instrumentation invite listeners to explore their challenges alongside them.

“It’s the feeling of getting older and the idea that I’m getting close to death even though I’m not. It’s also that feeling of thinking, ‘Am I at a point where it’s too late? Have I missed any opportunities? Am I too old now?’” said Meltzer, who founded the collective in 2010 and performs with The Soods.

“It seems like everyone is married, everyone has kids, and everyone is happy. I’m wondering if I’m missing out on those things. It’s also the helpful acceptance of making this life work because you only get one.”

To learn more, I spoke with Meltzer about the inspiration behind And The Elderly Midnight.

Continue reading “Getting Personal — Elroy Meltzer Examines Death and Grief on “And The Elderly Midnight” Album” →