Major Release – Melanie Pierce Confronts Dark Feelings of the Past on ‘Stir Crazy’ Single

melanie-pierce-750 — Melanie Pierce takes a fearless approach on “Stir Crazy.” Photo – Hannah McWhorter

Melanie Pierce doesn’t hesitate to confront the dark feelings of the past.

The Detroit pop-rock singer-songwriter exposes deep frustration and disappointment from a former relationship on her confessional new single, “Stir Crazy.”

“This song was a huge release … it’s delicate, and one of those feelings was coercion,” Pierce said. “It brought closure by allowing me to get it all out as well as adding a little poetry to the mix.”

Alongside fearless electric guitar, bass and drums, she sings, “It hasn’t been seven years yet but who’s counting / It won’t be long until I’m a different person / And I’m comforted in brand new skin / A place I know your hands have never been.”

“I had been processing feelings from this song for a long time and being able to write about it a bit poetically was very cathartic,” Pierce said.

Pierce captured “Stir Crazy’s” cathartic and courageous feel with co-producer John Katona, co-producer/guitarist/bassist Tom Mihalis’ and drummer/percussionist Dalton Thomas at Shelby Township’s JK (Not Kidding) Studios.

“John, Tom and Dalton took the song to the next level,” she said. “This one specifically felt very dialed in from the start, meaning that it truly was an amazing experience to have Dalton come in and immediately be on the same page about where the song was headed stylistically.”

Continue reading “Major Release – Melanie Pierce Confronts Dark Feelings of the Past on ‘Stir Crazy’ Single” →

The Soundcheck – Jennifer Westwood and The Handsome Devils, Brian Perrone, Hard Luck Pete & The Wrong Way Streets, Marty Kohn, Grooblen and Johanna Beekman & Ben Leinbach

For the September “Soundcheck,” I assembled a collage of new releases that represent a season of change. Whether it’s being resilient, overcoming heartbreak, reflecting on the past or entering a new dimension, each release introduces a different chapter and the possibilities that come with it. I invite you to explore these sonic offerings and see how they relate to your own experiences.

Jennifer Westwood and The Handsome Devils, “Bullet Proof”

Detroit’s Jennifer Westwood and The Handsome Devils acknowledge the power of resiliency on their latest single, “Bullet Proof.” The soulful, bluesy ballad celebrates being yourself, standing your ground and moving forward despite receiving negative feedback from others.

Alongside bold electric guitar from Dylan Dunbar, Westwood sings, “I’ve heard it all before / I’ve given my best and more / Been locked out / But I just beat down the door / It’s not like me to fade away / Oh baby, I’m bullet proof.”

Those strong words inspire us all to regain our self-confidence and deflect criticism from our detractors. I can’t think of a better song to play when I need some extra encouragement after a tough day. (Plus, Westwood offers strong words of wisdom and support daily for Detroit musicians through the Playing in the Detroit Area Tonight – Music News Facebook group.)

Westwood and husband Dunbar truly shine with top-notch bandmates Chuck Bartels (bass), David Below (drums) and Evan Mercer (piano) on the first track from their forthcoming album. They’re working with Royal Oak producer Bunky Hunt of WhistlePig Music Group and recently completed some additional recording sessions at Memphis Magnetic Recording.

Continue reading “The Soundcheck – Jennifer Westwood and The Handsome Devils, Brian Perrone, Hard Luck Pete & The Wrong Way Streets, Marty Kohn, Grooblen and Johanna Beekman & Ben Leinbach” →

In Hindsight – Ohly Recounts Memorable Tales of the Past on ‘Miracle’ Album

ohly-750-landscape — Christian Ohly weaves vivid recollections of people, places and experiences on “Miracle.” Photo – Alexis Backus

For Ohly, life’s most impactful moments are more visible in hindsight.

Through that lens, the Detroit indie-folk singer-songwriter recounts memorable tales of loss, love and growth on his latest album, Miracle.

“There’s a lot of introspection on different relationships—family, friends and some romance in there. A lot of it covers loss and the songs poured out of me after I experienced that loss. There are also some more playful and happier songs that were crafted,” said Christian Ohly about his third release via Bird Fight Records.

“Somebody asked me if the songs were more recent or if they cover most of my life, and I realized some of those songs talk about when I was five and six, then 12 and 13 and stuff that happened last year.”

Each track on Miracle transcends space and time as Ohly weaves vivid recollections of people, places and experiences. Whether it’s spending time with Annie, Julia or a sibling or venturing to Paris, Colorado or California, the album functions as an emotive travelogue that instantly connects with listeners.

“The last few years, I’ve really wanted to travel, and I thought about being able to do it when I was in high school … and then having a job and having some time off and also wanting to play music in some different places,” said Ohly, who’s inspired by James Taylor and Christian Lee Hutson.

“So many of the songwriters that I listen to and have been inspired by use very specific places, details and people. While listening to the whole thing and doing more introspection on the final project I was like, ‘Man, there sure are a lot of names and places in here I did not realize when I was recording [it].’”

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Full Steam Ahead – One Ton Trolley Honors the ‘70s Rock Album Era on ‘Sunday Morning Cigarettes’

1TT-750 — One Ton Trolley’s Anthony Zack, Bill Arnold, Chris Brown and Jon Johnson celebrate the ’70s rock album era on “Sunday Morning Cigarettes.” Photo courtesy of One Ton Trolley

One Ton Trolley charges full steam ahead into the album era.

The Clarkston, Michigan roots-rock quartet pays homage to the days of listening to a record in its entirety and becoming immersed in the experience on Sunday Morning Cigarettes.

“I wanted to make a 1970s rock album where you got in on the first song and you rode the thing all the way to the end,” said Bill Arnold, One Ton Trolley’s lead vocalist, guitarist and dobroist, about the band’s latest album.

“I was thinking of pre-car keys Bill laying on the floor of his bedroom reading the liner notes to a record. I wanted it to flow … I’m pretty pleased with the order.”

For Sunday Morning Cigarettes, One Ton Trolley arrives in good order, but not without revisiting old routes to the past. The album’s dozen tracks reflect on previous relationships, choices and lessons from a wiser, clearer perspective.

“I don’t really write about personal experiences as much as I try to write about things that I see or hear,” Arnold said. “I’m like an observer that tries to put them … more in first person.”

Continue reading “Full Steam Ahead – One Ton Trolley Honors the ‘70s Rock Album Era on ‘Sunday Morning Cigarettes’” →

Then and Now – Metro Detroit’s Ash Can Van Gogh Looks Backward and Forward on the Band’s Evolution

Back in 1986, Billy Brandt and JC Whitelaw placed an ad in the Metro Times looking for a female vocalist and instrumentalist.

The two Metro Detroit singer-songwriters envisioned forming a folk-rock band—now known as Ash Can Van Gogh—that specialized in three-part harmonies.

It wasn’t long until Mary McGuire saw the ad and called Brandt from a payphone at the Inn Season Café in Royal Oak. The Lansing singer-songwriter was working at the vegetarian-vegan restaurant at the time.

“I’m standing there holding the Metro Times, and I put a dime in the phone. Billy answers the phone, and I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m calling about your ad in the Metro Times, and my name is Mary,’ and he’s like, ‘What’s your sign?’” McGuire said.

“That was the first thing he said to me, and I was like, ‘Scorpio,’ and he’s like, ‘Oh, that’s cool; I’m a Capricorn.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, we’ll get along. I have a moon in Capricorn,’ so then we chatted about our influences and found we were big fans of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.”

That first conversation quickly led to Brandt and Whitelaw seeing McGuire perform at Sir Charles Pub in Royal Oak and then singing with her at her house later that night.

Continue reading “Then and Now – Metro Detroit’s Ash Can Van Gogh Looks Backward and Forward on the Band’s Evolution” →

Royal Treatment – Greg Paddock Celebrates a Regal Relationship on ‘Love Me Forever’ EP

greg-paddock-750 — Greg Paddock wraps listeners in a warm embrace on “Love Me Forever.” Photo courtesy of Greg Paddock

When it comes to a long-term relationship, Greg Paddock reigns supreme on Love Me Forever.

The Detroit alt-rock singer-songwriter celebrates a regal connection with his romantic partner and muse on his latest EP.

“After Cotswold was released [in 2020], I was quite happy performing and promoting the music and letting it fuel my passion. But I was also quite content being alone and having no relationships,” Paddock said.

“However, as fate would have it, I was introduced to my ‘queen,’ and she hit me like a storm (in a good way) … it was love at first sight and what she taught me was that I was not happy being alone. I don’t think I’ve ever felt love like that … and she inspired me to start writing a love song to tell the world how it felt being with her.”

Throughout Love Me Forever, Paddock documents the cyclical nature of relationships, including finding true love and overcoming heartbreak. He wraps listeners in a warm embrace across four tracks filled with spirited vocals, heartfelt lyrics and cinematic instrumentation.

“When I was writing my last EP, I had gone through a few years of turmoil from recovering from a head injury, losing my father, seeing a nephew battle cancer and ending a long-term relationship at the end of all that,” he said.

“I remember one comment after that EP of people saying, ‘Geez, when are you going to write a happy song?’ I would jokingly say, ‘Well, give me something happy to write about.’ For the record, I am a very happy, outgoing person; the previous music was just my outlet for some things that weren’t so happy in my life.”

To learn more about his current release, I recently spoke with Paddock about Love Me Forever’s tracks, his writing and recording process with former Dishwalla frontman J.R. Richards, his live Sugartips Acoustic gigs with guitarist Ryan Harrison and his upcoming plans.

Continue reading “Royal Treatment – Greg Paddock Celebrates a Regal Relationship on ‘Love Me Forever’ EP” →

The Soundcheck – Strange Heart, Erin Zindle & Carolyn Striho, Letrick Olson, Steven Foster, Blank Tape Tax

The July edition of “The Soundcheck” celebrates the concept of summer through different emotions and experiences—love, authenticity, remembrance, nostalgia and connection. It’s time to think about “Your New Favorite Lover” while you “Stay Behind The Wheel” and later arrive at your destination and receive a warm greeting of Welcome to Pookie’s. There’s also a need to reflect on the life and love of “Willow” and remember what’s For Debbie.

Strange Heart, “Your New Favorite Lover”

Since releasing their sophomore album Falling Back Again in October, Detroit’s Strange Heart returns with a soulful new R&B single, “Your New Favorite Lover,” as well as a companion studio video and an official lyric video.

Rhythmic drums, gleaming electric guitar, humming bass and romantic piano wrap listeners in a heated embrace alongside frontman Josh Clemens’ fervent vocals.

He sings, “Ooooh I’m not trying to hide / What you see is what you get / Now you’re the owner of this wreck / Honestly, what did you expect of me / You only get the best of me / You’re begging for the rest of me / Honey, you’re not ready, but come and get it now.”

The track’s infectious, sensual groove is guaranteed to captivate new and current Strange Heart fans. Drummer Bobby Jankowski, bassist-vocalist Mike Schneider, lead guitar-vocalist Mike Leslie and Clemens have won me over, and I know they’ll delight you as well.

Strange Heart also blazes on stage with an eight-piece band (complete with horns), so check them out July 20 at The Whitney in Detroit and July 22 at Eastern Palace Club in Hazel Park.

Continue reading “The Soundcheck – Strange Heart, Erin Zindle & Carolyn Striho, Letrick Olson, Steven Foster, Blank Tape Tax” →

Right Now – pia the band Feels Grateful for Today on ‘I Have Everything’ Single

pia the band is right where she needs to be.

The Detroit indie-rock singer-songwriter shares that realization on her hopeful new single, “I Have Everything.”

“I think at first glance over and maybe with intention when I first wrote it, you can look at the song as definitely being inspired by loss. Maybe bigger than that … that sadness or loss you feel when things don’t really pan out the way you expect them or hope at the time,” said Pia-Allison Roa, aka pia the band.

“As everyone knows, life doesn’t always go as planned, and usually it goes in a way better than you could have imagined. That realization and affirmation that you have everything you need at this moment in time are what I hope people can reflect on to move forward and let go of what their expectations were.”

Backed by soft drums, thoughtful bass and determined electric guitar, pia the band sheds those past expectations and embraces the present as she sings, “I’m trying not to bum you all out / But every time I open my mouth / I convince myself believe / I have everything I need.”

“By the end of the song and after the huge instrumental, I repeat that phrase [‘I have everything I need’] again a couple of times, and to me, it’s a confirmation of ‘Yes, I actually do believe that I do have everything I need,’” Roa said.

“I find myself so many times being in situations with good friends, or being at the beach on a nice day, or even as silly as eating a good burger and being like, ‘Whoa, yup, I have everything I need right now.’”

Continue reading “Right Now – pia the band Feels Grateful for Today on ‘I Have Everything’ Single” →

Double Feature — Jazz Vocalists Olivia Van Goor and Caity Gyorgy Co-Host June 3 Duet Show in Grosse Pointe

Olivia Van Goor / Photo – Chris Scarlett

Caity Gyorgy / Photo – Tieran Green

In 2020, Olivia Van Goor formed an unexpected friendship through social media.

The metro Detroit jazz vocalist stumbled upon Caity Gyorgy’s infectious single “Postage Due” and contacted the Canadian jazz singer about including the track in her songbook.

“I couldn’t believe it wasn’t a standard … she was kind enough to send me her music, and so I added that song among others to my repertoire,” Van Goor said.

“It’s important to me to not only keep the tradition alive by doing standards but to introduce my audience to other composers, especially females and especially vocalists. We have never performed together—in fact, we’ve never even met in person.”

That circumstance will quickly change with Van Goor and Gyorgy co-hosting a June 3 duet show at Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church (GPUC) in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

“Caity reached out a couple of months ago while planning her shows in the U.S. this summer. She proposed a duo show in the Detroit area, and when possible venues fell through for me, I had to figure out how to do it myself,” said Van Goor, who’s producing the show.

“Scott Gwinnell, who is playing the gig with us, recommended the GPUC, and I think it is a fabulous choice. I enjoy so much about her music, but my favorite thing about it is her fresh nod to standards in a very bebopish way. Not a lot of vocalists are doing that, and I am all about that!”

To learn more about her upcoming concert with Gyorgy, I recently spoke with Van Goor about the show’s setlist, collaborators and ticketing options and inquired about her latest single and plans for new material.

Continue reading “Double Feature — Jazz Vocalists Olivia Van Goor and Caity Gyorgy Co-Host June 3 Duet Show in Grosse Pointe” →

Inside Out – Easy Beach Seeks Catharsis on Punchy Self-Titled Debut Album

easy-beach-750 — Easy Beach’s Sean Tarolli, Dave Laginess and Ian Cruz pack a memorable punch on their self-titled debut album. Photo courtesy of Easy Beach

Ian Cruz openly shares past internal struggles and releases lingering frustrations on Easy Beach’s mighty self-titled debut album.

The frontman for the Detroit emo/punk-rock trio chronicles the challenges of working a tough job, preserving a relationship, and tackling guilt and self-doubt across nine raw tracks.

“Using the band as an escape or some form of therapy, I wrote a lot about what I was dealing with. But truthfully, I think it’s the only way I can write—being sad,” Cruz said.

“I can’t be creative when I’m happy. It kinda bums me out because all of our peers write these poppy, catchy tunes, and I write songs that might make people depressed. I wish I could write a catchy song.”

Despite Cruz’s reservations, Easy Beach indeed writes “catchy” tunes—ones that instantly grasp listeners’ hurtling emotions and translate their discouraging realities into cathartic tales of life, love and growth.

Cruz’s fierce vocals and crunchy electric guitars and Laginess’ fearless bass repeatedly elicit that response alongside Sean Tarolli’s thunderous drums. (Bassist Dave Laginess joined the band midway through the album’s recording process.)

While only 24 minutes long, Easy Beach packs a memorable punch with its emotionally charged lyrics and propulsive instrumentation. Released via We’re Trying Records, the album is an efficient, intense therapy session for anyone who needs immediate relief.

“I was talking to Sean and Dave yesterday about this, and even though we’re finally putting the record out, I think we’re all a little jaded. For Sean and me, we’ve been playing these songs since we announced the record two years ago,” Cruz said.

“I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve played ‘Selena Gomez’ or how many times we’ve recorded different versions of the album. It’s nice to get this thing out, but we’re definitely ready to get working on the next one.”

To learn more about Easy Beach’s creative journey, I recently spoke with Cruz about writing and recording the band’s debut album, exploring the album’s highly personal tracks, playing shows this summer and working on new material.

Continue reading “Inside Out – Easy Beach Seeks Catharsis on Punchy Self-Titled Debut Album” →

The Stratton Setlist

Catch the opener. Stay for the encore.

Tag: Detroit