Tag: JK (Not Kidding) Studios

Finding Yourself — Taylor DeRousse Traces Her Personal Evolution on “Running Back to Me” Album

Taylor DeRousse features vulnerable lyrics, heartfelt vocals, and cathartic instrumentation on “Running Back to Me. Courtesy photo

Taylor DeRousse welcomes herself with open arms.

The Metro Detroit singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist embraces her holistic self—both past and present—and the wisdom she’s gained on Running Back to Me.

“It’s a coming of age [tale] where I’m growing up and growing into myself,” said DeRousse about her debut album, which includes elements of indie rock, atmospheric folk, and guitar-driven pop.

“But that’s something that I hold very close to me. I think this record is the experience of trying to find your way through the world, figuring out who you are, and then coming back to yourself after everything and through the noise.”

What emerges are 13 compelling tracks about the evolution of youth to adulthood and back again. Collectively, the songs explore working through self-doubt and heartbreak to find relief and renewal.

“I continue to tell myself those messages and hold them true to myself,” said DeRousse, who released the album via Bird Fight Records. “The oldest song, I was probably 18 when I wrote it, and there’s a line in the song, [‘Outsider’], that says, ‘18 to 27.’ I’m 29 now, it just shows you how long it’s been taking me.”

DeRousse brings those experiences to life through vulnerable lyrics, heartfelt vocals, and cathartic instrumentation.

“I use songwriting as a way to process my experiences, emotions, and thoughts, so it’s super personal,” she said. “I hope listeners can relate to it and take that [away] from it.”

To learn more, I spoke with DeRousse about Running Back to Me ahead of a May 10 album release show at The Loving Touch in Ferndale, Michigan.

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The Struggle Within — Painted Friends Looks Inward and Finds Clarity on “The Devil in the Deep State” Album

Painted Friends’ Mitch Crosby and Jeremiah McWhorter performing in 2022. Photo – Connor Dean Harrington

For Jeremiah McWhorter, vulnerability leads to a purposeful existence.

The Painted Friends frontman embraced his fragility and uncovered hidden truths while penning tracks for the Detroit duo’s latest indie-rock album.

“Without getting too deep into my personal life, I took time to think honestly about the decisions I have made in the last eight months or so while putting the album together. I thought about how deep I got into some struggles and what I needed to do to get out,” said McWhorter, the band’s vocalist-guitarist-bassist about The Devil in the Deep State.

“I started to become more aware of when the natural vulnerability I have from just being a human is leading me somewhere I don’t actually want to go. The key is understanding how to use vulnerability for good instead of evil.”

Alongside drummer Mitch Crosby, McWhorter explores that emotional and spiritual journey and its ramifications through perceptive lyrics and cathartic instrumentation.

“The personal struggles I have in life have always been a big part of what I write about. It helps me process it all. In doing this, I am learning how similar we all are in regard to having personal struggles,” he said.

“I listen to music I can relate to because it sometimes can be that extra push I need to keep going. If I can be that extra push for others, I don’t think there is anything better than that.”

To learn more, I spoke with McWhorter about the thematic and sonic elements behind The Devil in the Deep State.

Continue reading “The Struggle Within — Painted Friends Looks Inward and Finds Clarity on “The Devil in the Deep State” Album” →

Tried and True — Ryan Trager Stays the Course on “Don’t Let Them In” Single

Ryan Trager stays true to his vision on “Don’t Let Them In.” Photo by Cybelle Codish

Ryan Trager doesn’t deviate from his path.

The Metro Detroit singer-songwriter follows his instincts and keeps the detractors at bay on “Don’t Let Them In.”

“For me, last year was so nuts with the election and everything. It’s easy to get swept up in all of that. In some ways, it connects back to us,” said Trager about his latest indie-folk single.

“I was thinking about the single and the meaning behind it and staying true to your own beliefs and behaviors. It’s easy to get swept up in the media, and we have so much access to things. You can lose yourself and lose the things that matter to you.”

In response, Trager pledges to keep himself grounded and focused on “Don’t Let Them In.”

Backed by earnest acoustic guitar, cello, and Mellotron, he sings, “They will give you a thousand reasons / And you’ll be tempted to believe them / But all their conviction is just a fiction / Oh please, don’t let them in.”

“I had had enough distance from the song that I needed to hear the message,” said Trager, who recorded the single in 2021. “It’s not letting anything stop you from doing whatever you want to do.”

To learn more, I spoke with Trager ahead of a February 8 show at Trixie’s Bar in Hamtramck, Michigan.

Continue reading “Tried and True — Ryan Trager Stays the Course on “Don’t Let Them In” Single” →

The Power of Goodbye — Melanie Pierce Finds Closure From a Past Relationship on “Enough” Single

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Melanie Pierce shares messages of self-empowerment and resilience on “Enough.” Photo courtesy of Melanie Pierce

Melanie Pierce boldly reclaims her power on “Enough.”

The Detroit singer-songwriter asserts her true feelings and finds closure from a past relationship on her new emo-pop single.

“‘Enough’ is a song that I’m very proud of, and I’m really thankful to have had music to lean on when the events behind the song were taking place,” Pierce said.

“The song is a reflection of events that hurt or things that at the time I looked at through rose-colored glasses. Then I pulled them off and said, ‘This sucked … and it’s enough for me to get over this and move on.’’”

Surrounded by fearless acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, and drums, she sings: “I poured my heart out and I wrote you songs / You felt awkward, said it’s like someone’s singing happy birthday to you / Someday, I’m gonna find someone who actually deserves all I do / So I reclaim every song I sent you and the magic you had access to / And the girl that would have done anything for you.”

“It’s a song that screams, ‘I don’t deserve this,’” Pierce said. “I hope the takeaway for listeners is exactly that. You don’t deserve the shit you’ve put up with and you’re stronger than this.”

I spoke with Pierce about her latest single ahead of an October 11 show at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Continue reading “The Power of Goodbye — Melanie Pierce Finds Closure From a Past Relationship on “Enough” Single” →

The Dark Side – Painted Friends Explores Jealousy and Envy on ‘Cain Complex’ Single

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Painted Friends’ Jeremiah McWhorter and Mitch Crosby examine the power of negative emotions on “Cain Complex.” Photo – Hannah McWhorter

Painted Friends vicariously explores the powerful, destructive forces of jealousy and envy on “Cain Complex.”

The Detroit indie-rock duo of Jeremiah McWhorter (vocals, guitar, bass) and Mitch Crosby (drums) examines those fierce emotions through the biblical perspective of Cain on their dark new single.

“The Cain and Abel story is one of the deepest stories in all of literature, no matter what belief system you hold. Putting myself in Cain’s shoes for a song made me realize how easy it was, especially in the music scene today,” McWhorter said.

“It is very easy to feel jealous toward other musicians who appear to have ‘made it’ and here I am still struggling to make a dime with my songs, yet I put so much work and passion toward it.”

That passion comes alive as McWhorter sings alongside fiery electric guitar, bass and drums, “I was the first man / The oldest of sons / What I give away is much better than blood / The envy that filled me was sent from above / And the reason I’m standing is not due to love.”

“Jealousy and envy are similar to drugs in my opinion. They almost become like an addiction that once it takes hold, [it] can literally bring you to the point of murdering another person,” he said.

“It is a song that is toeing the line between being appropriate and inappropriate, but I wanted to allow myself to do that for at least one song. It felt and still feels necessary.”

I recently spoke to McWhorter and Crosby about their backgrounds, previous releases, passionate new single, Feb. 9 live show in Detroit and plans for 2024.

Continue reading “The Dark Side – Painted Friends Explores Jealousy and Envy on ‘Cain Complex’ Single” →

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

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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” →

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

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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].’”

Continue reading “In Hindsight – Ohly Recounts Memorable Tales of the Past on ‘Miracle’ Album” →

The Quest – Adam Padden Searches for Life’s Definitive Answers on ‘Dreamer’ Single

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Adam Padden gets introspective on his latest EP, “Oh No! It’s the Rapture.” Photo – Liz Wittman

Adam Padden boldly searches for change and truth in an uncertain world.

The Detroit post-punk rocker and multi-instrumentalist demands life’s clear-cut answers while trying to distinguish fantasy from reality on his latest turbo-charged single, “Dreamer.”

Punchy drums, hectic cymbals, intrepid bass, spirited keys and fiery electric guitars release an inner fury as Padden sings, “You better stop and ask why/The secrets always disguised/Another flimsy attempt/Was it just something you dreamt?”

In reality, Padden relishes the release of “Dreamer” alongside his insightful new EP, Oh No! It’s the Rapture, which dropped June 3.

The Stratton Setlist recently chatted with Padden about the EP, his June 10 show in Detroit, his roles in Tart and Handgrenades, his background and upcoming plans.

Oh No! It’s the Rapture

TSS: Your new EP, Oh No! It’s the Rapture, explores internal and spiritual challenges with taking risks, making changes and searching for truth in life. How did this EP help you embark on a quest of self-discovery? 

AP: In short, no, I did not purposely write these songs with that theme in mind. I think that turning 30 during a global pandemic made me a little introspective, to say the least. The lyrics to most of these songs came out super-fast. I honestly think I’m still deciphering what some of these songs are about.

TSS: How did a 10-day quarantine help produce the 7 tracks that would become Oh No! It’s the Rapture? What was it like to focus solely on writing and recording your own material during that time?

AP: I guess I was lucky enough to have the songwriting gates burst open when I had all the time in the world to write songs. It doesn’t always happen that way! It was a fantastic learning experience to write and record a collection of songs in such a short window of time.

Continue reading “The Quest – Adam Padden Searches for Life’s Definitive Answers on ‘Dreamer’ Single” →

Your Song – Bird Fight Records and JK (Not Kidding) Studios Launch Contest for Indie Artists

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Bird Fight Records’ Taylor Penn, Tom Mihalis and John Katona gather at JK (Not Kidding) Studios in Shelby Township. Photo courtesy of Taylor Penn

A metro Detroit record label and recording studio want to spotlight the next emerging artist.

Starting today, the Bird Fight Records and JK (Not Kidding) Studios team of John Katona, Tom Mihalis, Christian Ohly and Taylor Penn are launching a new contest to produce a single or an EP for one indie artist or band.

Interested artists or bands from any genre can enter the contest through Feb. 28. To be considered, entrants can submit audio demos/recordings that best demonstrate their musicality and artistry.

“Submissions can be any type of audio,” said Katona, producer-engineer for Bird Fight Records and owner of JK (Not Kidding) Studios. “It’s more about the songwriting than it is about production. We’ll take it from wherever it is to a fully produced song.”

The winning artist or band will have their material produced by JK (Not Kidding) Studios and released via Bird Fight Records. They also will receive marketing and video production support as part of the winning package.

“The people in Michigan and Detroit are so talented,” said Penn, graphic designer and social media manager for Bird Fight Records. “There are so many incredible artists around … we don’t want them to go unrecognized.”

Continue reading “Your Song – Bird Fight Records and JK (Not Kidding) Studios Launch Contest for Indie Artists” →

Adrenaline Rush – The Indigo Curve Kick-Starts Dormant Souls with Vigorous Self-Titled EP

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The Indigo Curve performs at their EP release show in August. Photo – Chris Sesta

The Indigo Curve provides the ultimate indie rock adrenaline rush.

The Detroit quintet of Ish Chowdhury (vocals, guitar), Adam Liles (guitar), Niko Kannapell (bass), Markus Kennedy (drums) and Mike Liles (organ, keys) instantly kick-starts dormant souls with a welcoming infusion of vigorous instrumentation, contemplative lyrics and emotive vocals.

“With this band, a goal of ours is to make music that’s a story of 2021. I don’t want a feeling of ‘this reminds me of 1995’ or ‘this takes me back to the ‘70s.’ It’s not like that’s bad or anything. That music is sweet as hell, but I just think we’re trying to make today’s song,” said Chowdhury, who formed the band with Adam Liles and their three bandmates in 2020.

Chowdhury, Adam Liles and their bandmates will bring that modern musical mindset to The Detroit Shipping Company live stage on Oct. 16. They will perform two 45-minute, action-packed sets at the Detroit-based restaurant collective.

“We’re a little over a year in, and with this music that we just put out with this EP, we’re starting to find where the five of us come together to make a sound that’s all of us. That’s compared to last summer when we just were playing and writing whatever came to mind,” Adam Liles said.

Continue reading “Adrenaline Rush – The Indigo Curve Kick-Starts Dormant Souls with Vigorous Self-Titled EP” →