Category: Artists

Carpe Diem — Absentees Emit Powerhouse Punk Sound on “All the Hertz: Volume 1” EP

Brandon Manoyian, Tony Dunn, Matt Gawne, and John Quillen of Absentees. Courtesy photo.

Absentees pack a large sonic punch on All the Hertz: Volume 1.

The Detroit band features turbocharged instrumentation and explosive vocals on its latest EP.

“We just left it at that,” said Matt Gawne, a vocalist-guitarist for Absentees.

“We did it live. We recorded a second guitar, and then we recorded the vocals. [Engineer-producer] Jon-Mikal [Bartee] came over to my place with a bunch of microphones, and he just set up where we were. It was awesome for him and awesome for us.”

All the Hertz: Volume 1 is an awesome experience for listeners as well. While it’s only 16 minutes long, the punk EP’s scorching electric guitars, thumping bass, and thunderous drums energize fans across seven tracks.

“It all came out great, thanks to Jon-Mikal [Bartee], too,” said John Quillen, the band’s drummer. “He put a nice touch on it, and he knew what we wanted to go with. He gave us a sound with a more modern recording.”

In addition to its edgy sound, All the Hertz: Volume 1 covers a variety of themes, ranging from trauma to toxic jobs to new relationships.

“The most emotional song I’ve ever written is ‘Sensational,’ said Tony Dunn, a vocalist-guitarist for Absentees.

“It’s about somebody close to me who tried taking their own life, and fortunately, is still here. I’ve never written anything that personal … and I think it really shows on that song. Usually, I make up stories, but every now and then, I give a little piece of [me].

Now, Absentees continue to evolve their punk sound with Brandon Manoyian, the band’s new bassist.

“I play on a five-string bass, and I come from another band that plays in a lower tuning,” he said. “Playing with John and playing with everybody else, it’s been a different, but phenomenal experience, and everything flows and goes together.”

I recently spoke with Absentees about their latest EP ahead of a December 6 show at The Rex Theater in Morenci, Michigan.

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Global Connections — Telephone Inspires Artists to Interpret Creative Works Across Different Media

Nathan Langston, founder and director of Telephone. Photo taken from Telephone’s website.

In 2010, Nathan Langston craved connection after moving to New York City.

The poet-composer wanted to meet other artists and developed an art project called Telephone, which is inspired by the children’s game of the same name.

“The game seemed like a sneaky way to meet other artists,” said Langston, founder and director of Telephone. “It took a long time, but it worked! At first, I was physically taking work from artist to artist around the city on the subway, but that took too long.”

Instead, Langston and other artists started sharing their creative works online for Telephone.

“We began passing works via the internet, which vastly increased the pool size of possible players,” said Langton, who’s now based in Seattle.

“The other thing we did was to assign each finished work to two or three artists, rather than one. That meant that the game branched outward like a family tree, and if any one artist dropped out, the game could continue expanding.”

To participate, artists sign up through the Telephone website, receive an anonymous piece of artwork from another creative to interpret, and then have two weeks to create their artistic response in a different medium. Continue reading “Global Connections — Telephone Inspires Artists to Interpret Creative Works Across Different Media” →

Musical Haven — The JR Band Transports Listeners to a New Sonic Realm on “Predilection” Single

The JR Band’s Randy Juhl and John Patrick. Courtesy photo.

The JR Band’s new single, “Predilection,” creates a musical haven for listeners.

The Americana instrumental transports fans to an idyllic sonic space that lies somewhere between fantasy and reality.

“The idea for the title ‘Predilection’ comes from a conversation in Carlos Castenda’s writings, The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge,” said Randy Juhl, who’s from Bay City, Michigan, and serves as the band’s vocalist, guitarist, and violinist.

“It’s how Don Juan describes a warrior’s ‘place of predilection’ as a physical spot that grounds you, restores you, and reconnects you with your purpose. That concept has always struck me as being profound, and with this song, I realized that my own place of predilection isn’t necessarily physical but rather musical.”

Juhl and bandmate John Patrick soar on “Predilection,” which features a tranquil blend of acoustic guitar, organ, mandolin, violin, double bass, and banjo.

“For me, that space is a kind of inner landscape where I wanted the instrumental to reflect that sense of lifting off into a place that’s familiar yet expansive,” Juhl said. “A few early listeners told me it felt like a journey, and that meant a lot because that’s exactly how I experience it.”

I recently spoke with Juhl about the band’s new single and the creative process behind it.

Continue reading “Musical Haven — The JR Band Transports Listeners to a New Sonic Realm on “Predilection” Single” →

Nostalgic Christmas — Olivia Van Goor Celebrates Holiday Music Past and Present on “Waiting for Santa” Album

Olivia Van Goor with her family’s dog, Murphy. Photo – Matt Ryan

This holiday season, Olivia Van Goor is stepping back in time.

The jazz vocalist-composer reimagines Christmas songs from TV specials and movies she loved as a child on her latest album, Waiting for Santa.

“I thought it would be fun to pick some of those songs that you forget about, that aren’t overplayed, or that aren’t overdone,” said Van Goor, who’s based in Royal Oak, Michigan.

“And speaking of Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, if you listen to the full version of ‘Put One Foot in Front of the Other’ at the very end, they go into a section that’s in seven instead of in four. That’s what I did in my recording at the end. I thought, ‘This is so hip [that it’s in] an odd meter. I don’t even remember that when I was a kid.’”

Waiting for Santa also includes Van Goor’s soaring renditions of “Silver and Gold” and “There’s Always Tomorrow” from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and “Believe” from The Polar Express.

“It was really fun to think about those songs, and they just so easily are turned into a very standard feel in the jazz world,” she said.

“And then going from that, it was really fun to reimagine more stories from those things and write the song, ‘Hermey’s Blues,’ with Mike [Harrison]. Hermey the Elf [from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer] didn’t ever get a song. I loved playing along with those ideas and feeling like I was accessing that part of my childhood.”

While the album’s six covers sparkle, Van Goor truly shines on the seven originals, which include a combination of songs she composed or co-composed with others. There’s also a track composed by bandmate Mike Harrison called “Mrs. Mistletoe.”

“I started coming up with ideas, and I had a bunch of ideas for songs that I thought were missing from the Christmas repertoire,” Van Goor said. “And then I was thinking, ‘I don’t have to do this all alone; I can co-compose with some of my friends,’ and that’s how the album came to be.”

Along with bandmates Reuben Stump (bass, vocals), Dave Zwolinski (drums), and Mike Harrison (piano), Van Goor presents a refreshing Christmas album featuring soulful vocals, nostalgic and festive lyrics, and enchanting instrumentation.

I recently spoke with Van Goor about Waiting for Santa ahead of several live shows in December.

Continue reading “Nostalgic Christmas — Olivia Van Goor Celebrates Holiday Music Past and Present on “Waiting for Santa” Album” →

Roar On — Adaboy! Salutes the Detroit Lions on “Uncaged” Single

Vince Modern, Steve Nyquist, Mike Richards, and Joe Balbaugh of Adaboy!. Courtesy photo.

Adaboy! embodies the pride and spirit of the Detroit Lions on “Uncaged.”

The Bay City, Michigan band pays tribute to the team’s resilience and success on its latest rock single.

“Have you ever listened to Dan Campbell, the coach?” said Mike Richards, lead vocalist and guitarist for Adaboy!.

“Have you ever heard him speak about his team and the mentality he wants his football team to have? He doesn’t necessarily speak on mental health, but it’s all the nitty-gritty of what it takes to be focused on your mental health.”

Along with Adaboy! bandmates Joe Balbaugh (vocals, bass), Vince Modern (vocals, guitar), and Steve Nyquist (drums), Richards celebrates that mindset through motivational lyrics and fiery instrumentation on “Uncaged.”

He sings, “Take your place / There’s something going on in here / Grit and glory / We’ve been waiting for all these years / Can’t stop, won’t stop / Come on people, get on your feet / It’s electric in the air / We’re the real America’s team.”

“Dan Campbell is putting all of these analogies out there about what his team is gonna be like,” Richards said. “It felt like he was talking to us because Adaboy! has that mentality of saying, ‘You can’t stop us, and we’re gonna fail. We’ve already made our peace with failing. We’re expecting the fail, but it’s how we’ve made up our mind and how we’re going to respond to the failure.’

“We latched onto his messaging of the Lions, and we’ve adopted it. It just aligns with the mission and messaging of Adaboy!.”

To learn more, I spoke with Richards and Modern about the band’s background and music ahead of a November 21 show at JJ’s Roadhouse in Saginaw.

Continue reading “Roar On — Adaboy! Salutes the Detroit Lions on “Uncaged” Single” →

Forever Young — Issac Burgess and Friends Pay Tribute to Sam Carroll and Matt Szakal at “Samstock” Memorial Concert

Issac Burgess. Courtesy photo.

Issac Burgess wants to pay tribute to two dearly missed friends.

The Detroit singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is hosting Samstock, a memorial concert for Sam Carroll and Matt Szakal, on November 2 at Outer Limits Lounge.

Both Carroll and Szakal passed away unexpectedly this summer.

“A group of about eight to 10 of us have kept in close contact since the boys left us,” said Burgess, who’s also curating the event. “We all wanted to put a show together of some sort because we know that Sam and Matt would have honored us the same way.”

Samstock will feature a lineup of Hamtramck and Detroit-based acts, including Burgess and his band, Boy Blue, Mars and the Satellites, Electric Bug, Josh Lutey and Friends, Rose St. Germaine, Sancho, Fishfly’s Nick Vasseur, and Cinquex.

“We reached out to all of the bands the guys had liked, and those that were available are ecstatic to participate,” Burgess said. “We booked who we could, and then I spoke to John [Szymanski] at Outer Limits about the idea. He was very supportive.”

The show will include a mixture of live music and speeches to honor the lives and contributions of Carroll and Szakal.

“We are planning a straightforward show,” Burgess said. “We’ve all got a few tunes we’re going to play for everyone, and we will probably say a few words. Our friend Mir is making bracelets for everyone. We’re going to keep it simple.”

I recently spoke with Burgess about Carroll and Szakal, as well as his latest music releases, ahead of Samstock.

Continue reading “Forever Young — Issac Burgess and Friends Pay Tribute to Sam Carroll and Matt Szakal at “Samstock” Memorial Concert” →

Mood Music — Brian Perrone Unearths Dark Emotions on “Bend Until It Breaks” EP

Brian Perrone tackles change and closure on “Bend Until It Breaks.” Courtesy photo.

Brian Perrone isn’t afraid to get dark and moody on Bend Until It Breaks.

The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist delves into complex emotions, ranging from confusion to heartbreak to frustration, on his latest EP.

“In today’s world, these emotions will find you at some point,” said Perrone, who’s based in Livonia, Michigan. “I find it fascinating how people, including myself, deal with them in different ways.”

He also unearths the mental health struggles people face when they’re coping with change and searching for closure.

“Directly or indirectly, experiences from our past help us to cope,” Perrone said. “Finding a resolution in times of trouble is an interesting topic to me that I felt was worth exploring.”

Perrone’s baritone vocals evoke feelings of anticipation and longing in fans as they process their experiences while listening to Bend Until It Breaks. The EP’s five tracks feature contemplative lyrics, haunting instrumentation, and elements of indie rock, alt rock, shoegaze, and post-rock.

To learn more, I spoke with Perrone about the EP ahead of a November 15 show at the Ghost Light in Hamtramck.

Continue reading “Mood Music — Brian Perrone Unearths Dark Emotions on “Bend Until It Breaks” EP” →

On the Move — DASHpf Finds Hope and Connection in New Places on “Things We Used to Make” EP

DASHpf’s Peter Felsman gets nostalgic on “Things We Used to Make” EP. Courtesy photo.

In August 2021, Peter Felsman traded Brooklyn for Marquette.

The indie-folk singer-songwriter had relocated from New York City to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for an assistant professor of social work position at Northern Michigan University.

While adjusting to that change, Felsman had started writing songs for what would become Things We Used to Make.

“It is beautiful in Marquette, but the pace of life was a huge contrast to Brooklyn, where I had moved from, and I had more space to reflect on the last few years,” said Felsman, who records and performs as DASHpf, about his latest EP.

“A lot of the songs focus on making meaning of the past to help move forward, and they did. I was able to make a lot of amazing memories in the U.P. and [find] fodder for new albums.”

Felsman explores the EP’s overall theme through five concise tracks, which feature honest lyrics, soulful vocals, and earnest instrumentation.

“Thematically, this EP feels very nostalgic,” he said. “It is past-focused in a way, but it is fundamentally a hopeful album.

“[The track], ‘Witch in California,’ is a song about attending an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Bootcamp and committing to be a better person! ‘Nicole’ is a song about missing my friends, but ultimately motivated the creation of the [EP] with my friends.”

A year ago, Felsman made another professional move from Northern Michigan University to Oakland University.

I recently spoke with Felsman about the inspiration behind Things We Used to Make and his new role in academia.

Continue reading “On the Move — DASHpf Finds Hope and Connection in New Places on “Things We Used to Make” EP” →

The Pursuit of Happiness — King Ink Starts New Chapter and Finds New Sound on “Good News” Single

King Ink’s Sean DeWard, JD Waldvogel, Becca Coberly, and Evan Coberly. Photo – Live Aperture Concert Photography

King Ink is ready for a new start.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan band celebrates meeting the right person and planning for the future on its latest Heartland-rock single, “Good News.”

“Lyrically, it’s a mix of finding the right person and feeling secure in that,” said JD Waldvogel, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist.

“The big thing I want people to take away from listening to us or seeing us live is joy and happiness. We played a show recently where they asked for our bio, and it said, ‘We play bright alternative rock.’ And then on the pamphlet, they said, ‘King Ink—bright rock,’ as our descriptor. I said, ‘I’ve never heard of that genre, but I think we’re starting a new one.’”

Waldvogel captures that positive attitude and upbeat sound with bandmates Becca Coberly (guitar, bass), Evan Coberly (guitar, bass, saxophone), and Sean DeWard (drums) on “Good News.”

He sings, “Cut to you, cut to me / Living in harmony / Not gonna waste my chance / Let’s rewrite history / Hope you’re fine with hyperbole / And maybe in your eyes / Maybe you can see through my disguise / The whole damn world is our stage / Let’s start a new page.”

“I really wanted to feel that from a song, which is just like a sense of joy and a sense of things are good, and that is OK,” Waldvogel said. “I also wanted there to be a sing-along part in there. That song has been a benchmark, or a signpost, saying, ‘Where do we want to go from here?’”

To learn more, I spoke with Waldvogel, Becca Coberly, and Evan Coberly about the band’s background and latest single.

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Hitting the Road — The Soods Embark on Midwest Fall Tour This Week

Jason Roy of The Soods. Photo – Matt Ten Clay

The Soods are ready to hit the road.

The indie-rock collective is embarking on a short Midwest tour, which runs October 11 to 16.

The tour includes shows in Grand Rapids and Lansing, Michigan, as well as Chicago; Davenport, Iowa; and Fort Wayne, Indiana. It will also celebrate a milestone for one of The Soods’ side projects—Elroy Meltzer.

“This one will just be Steven [Meltzer] and me,” said Jason Roy, frontman and co-producer for The Soods, who’s based in Grand Rapids.

“It actually marks 10 years this year since we started Elroy Meltzer together, so we actually will be doing some songs off those first two albums. Steven still actively writes, records, and performs as Elroy Meltzer and has an album coming out on October 10 called 9 Out of 10 Ain’t Bad that people should check out as well.”

For its tour, The Soods have prepared an extensive setlist filled with new songs, old favorites, and covers.

“I think we have rehearsed about 25 or 26 songs, five covers ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Gorillaz, and then a pretty even split of Soods songs and the aforementioned Elroy stuff,” Roy said. “We’re pretty excited to play five unreleased ones as it’ll be the first time we played a few of them.”

I recently spoke with Roy about the collective’s tour and recent releases.

Continue reading “Hitting the Road — The Soods Embark on Midwest Fall Tour This Week” →