Tag: Ypsilanti

Reality Check — Ann Arbor’s Toadally Explores the Ups and Downs of Everyday Life on “Crash” EP

From left: Kim Truong, Spencer Mullins, Jake McCarthy, Fangbo Yuan, and Victoria Horne of Toadally. Photo by Yiyun Huang.

For Toadally, the struggle is real on Crash.

The Ann Arbor, Michigan band explores the ups and downs of personal and professional challenges on its debut EP.

“We had a general vibe of what we were writing, and it just seemed to impact the songs in that kind of way,” said Spencer Mullins, Toadally’s vocalist and guitarist.

“And then later on, once we started organizing and revising the songs, that’s when it started to take shape as one project—one EP. We chose Crash at the very end because we didn’t know what to call it.”

On Crash, the band addresses themes of impulsivity, courage, and disappointment across five multigenre tracks that primarily reside in the indie-rock world.

Bandmates Victoria Horne (vocals, piano, synth, flute), Fangbo Yuan (vocals, guitar), Jake McCarthy (drums), Kim Truong (bass), and Mullins weave a compelling tapestry of tongue-in-cheek stories and energetic sounds that resonate with all kinds of listeners.

“I’m sure you’ll pick up on those themes of being dissatisfied with the way the world is or being dissatisfied with yourself,” said Kim Truong, who’s also Toadally’s loremaster.

“Even though a lot of our music tends to be a mishmash and in the moment and reactive, I think those themes of how we navigate ourselves, the world, and other people are pretty common.”

I recently spoke with the band about the inspiration behind its latest EP.

Continue reading “Reality Check — Ann Arbor’s Toadally Explores the Ups and Downs of Everyday Life on “Crash” EP” →

Outside the Lines — Manchester’s Jonathan Doyle Follows His Own Creative Instincts and Is The GIG 2026 Featured Poster Artist

Jonathan Doyle with wife Brooke Doyle in 2022. Courtesy photo.

Editor’s Note: Lori Stratton is on the board of GIG: The Art of Michigan Music Foundation.

For one of his latest posters, Jonathan Doyle decided to step outside his musical realm.

The Manchester, Michigan, graphic designer and poster artist took an architectural approach and drew a picture of the Chelsea Clock Tower.

“I love that building, so I took a couple of pictures of it, and I just drew it,” said Doyle, who owns JK Doyle Art & Design and creates concert posters for the Manchester Underground Music and Art monthly concert series.

On the poster, he created a majestic blue-and-purple version of the clock tower against a light blue and white mandala background.

“I tried to keep it as fun as possible, and I didn’t want to go full psychedelic because it’s Chelsea,” Doyle said. “But at the same time, I didn’t want to go mayonnaise, so that’s where I ended up.”

Doyle’s artwork is the featured poster for GIG: The Art of Michigan Music, an annual event showcasing the creations of visual artists, graphic designers, and concert photographers who work in music.

This year’s edition of GIG takes place July 24-25 in Chelsea as part of the city’s Sounds & Sights Festival. Doyle is one of 20 artists featured at the event, which is spearheaded by Ann Arbor residents Chuck and Brenda Marshall.

“Being a musician and an artist, I have been in both realms, and it’s the only place I’ve ever seen where those two groups of people are brought together,” he said.

To support that community, GIG includes a gallery of artwork and photography by the featured artists, a music market filled with prints, photos, records, and merch, and workshops focused on mental health, websites, graphic design, and photography.

“I’m kind of a hermit, and a lot of my artist and musician friends are hermits, so there’s nowhere for us to go,” Doyle said. “The community inside the community [at GIG] is really big for me.”

I recently spoke with Doyle about his background and work as a graphic designer and poster artist.

Continue reading “Outside the Lines — Manchester’s Jonathan Doyle Follows His Own Creative Instincts and Is The GIG 2026 Featured Poster Artist” →

One Track Mind — Jonathan Edwards, “A Fiction for Today”

Jonathan Edwards. Photo taken from the University of Michigan’s website.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

One Track Mind features a Washtenaw County-associated artist discussing a single song.

Standout Track: No. 5, “A Fiction for Today,” from Jonathan Edwards, an indie-folk singer-songwriter and guitarist from Ypsilanti. His latest release, The Sparrow EP, examines the emotional struggles people experience internally—vulnerability, desperation, fragility, and helplessness—as they live in a rapidly changing society.

On “A Fiction for Today,” Edwards sings about seeking refuge from society’s growing political and social tensions and finding the strength to persevere. While the track explores living in an oppressive world, it also functions as a contemplative and hopeful sendoff for the EP.

“Lyrically, this is one of my favorites from the EP,” Edwards wrote. “The song is dedicated to those who are up against the wall and struggling in a world that is so heavily positioned against them. … The cards are stacked against so many, and disturbing decisions are being made every day to push people further and further down. I hope this song is taken as a letter of optimism and compassion for those who have little say in the circumstances they may find themselves in.”

Continue reading “One Track Mind — Jonathan Edwards, “A Fiction for Today”” →

Starting a New Chapter — The City Lines Have a Fresh Lineup and Roster of Summer Shows

Victoria Horne, Johnny Scott, Bob Zammit, and Pat Deneau of The City Lines. Photo – Danny Burton.

Victoria Horne, Johnny Scott, Bob Zammit, and Pat Deneau of The City Lines. Photo – Danny Burton.

The City Lines are starting a new chapter.

The Ann Arbor-based alt-rock band recently added two new members, lead guitarist Johnny Scott and bassist Victoria Horne, to their lineup. They join vocalist-guitarist Pat Deneau and drummer Bob Zammit.

“There is a total synergy on the stage now,” Deneau said. “It’s really fun playing these songs closer to the way that we recorded them, with the lead guitar parts and some basslines that are moving a little bit. Victoria and Johnny are bringing energy to the stage that I really feed off.”

The band also recently announced three shows for this summer, including May 30 with Joe Jordan at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, June 25 with Cracked & Hooked and Pillow Princess at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti, and August 6 with A Thousand Horses at Lager House in Detroit.

The City Lines will perform songs from their growing catalog, which includes last year’s Prescribed Fires album and two prior releases.

“We’re a new band to a lot of people who are maybe going to wonder how we got three records out under their nose and why there are as many listenable songs,” Zammit said. “It’s because we’ve been working really hard on that end of it, and now, through the support of the community, we can support folks and be helpful.”

To learn more, I spoke with the band about their new members and live shows.

Continue reading “Starting a New Chapter — The City Lines Have a Fresh Lineup and Roster of Summer Shows” →

Ypsilanti Hip-Hop Artist Diont’e Visible Has Raised His Profile With a String of Philosophical Singles and Collaborations

Diont’e Visible. Photo courtesy of Diont’e Visible.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

Diont’e Visible wants to purge some negativity from the world.

The Ypsilanti, Michigan, hip-hop artist unloads that emotional burden and finds relief on his latest single, “Just Throw It All in the Air.”

“When I wrote this song, I was inspired by the state of the world, or the lack thereof,” said Visible, aka Paris Diont’e Horgrow, about the hip-hop track.

“People need something to be happy about and to look forward to. It’s saying, ‘Let’s get rid of this whole system and just throw it all in the air.’”

Visible adopts that refreshing mindset and then expands “Just Throw It All in the Air” into a springtime anthem while rapping over jazzy beats.

Continue reading “Ypsilanti Hip-Hop Artist Diont’e Visible Has Raised His Profile With a String of Philosophical Singles and Collaborations” →

One Track Mind — Dennis Proctor, “Blue Streak Blues”

Dennis Proctor. Photo taken from Dennis Proctor’s Facebook page.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

One Track Mind features a Washtenaw County-associated artist or band discussing a single song.

Standout Track: No. 2, “Blue Streak Blues,” from Dennis Proctor, who lives “on the border of South Canton and Ypsi, a few hundred feet from the Washtenaw county line.” The latest solo album, Deuce, from the Haviland frontman and honorary Washtenawtonian explores themes ranging from living in the current landscape to getting second chances to dealing with change.

On “Blue Streak Blues,” Proctor recalls an awkward encounter at Cedar Point and pays tribute to the longtime wooden roller coaster that bears the song’s name. At the start of the song, he sings about running into a naked man screaming in a restroom outside of the amusement park gates. “The opening lines are literally about that event: trying to understand what that man was going through and how I could’ve helped,” writes Proctor in an email interview. “The idea of someone in that much pain and not being able to properly express it got me thinking about writing from that perspective more.”

Continue reading “One Track Mind — Dennis Proctor, “Blue Streak Blues”” →

One Track Mind — Sleep Tight Tiger, “Skate”

From left: Ruby Howard, Steve Poeschel, Laura Topf, and Evan Beane of Sleep Tight Tiger. Photo taken from Sleep Tight Tiger’s website.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

One Track Mind” features a Washtenaw County-associated artist or band discussing a single song.

Standout Track: No. 1, “Skate” from Ypsilanti’s Sleep Tight Tiger. The indie-pop band’s debut EP, Plum Something, explores being vulnerable and sharing that emotional experience with others.

On “Skate,” the band sings about feeling carefree and spending time with friends. The members of Sleep Tight Tiger—Ruby Howard, Steve Poeschel, Laura Topf, and Evan Beane—pooled a bunch of their memories together while writing the song. “Those times with friends that arise spontaneously—running into a friend on the street and deciding to walk to the river, or both being homesick at the same time and lying out in a backyard together under the sun—feel easy and fleeting in a way that I hold dear,” writes Topf in an email interview. “There were a couple of roller skaters among the WCBN students that I have fond memories with, who inspired the hook of the song.” (Sleep Tight Tiger members were all involved with the University of Michigan student radio station.)

Continue reading “One Track Mind — Sleep Tight Tiger, “Skate”” →

Sisters of Music — The Wildflowers Bond Together On and Off The Stage in Washtenaw County

Shannon Lee, Hilary Finchum-Sung, and Kandy Fredrick of The Wildflowers. Courtesy photo.

The Wildflowers embrace their musical sisterhood.

Members Kandy Fredrick, Shannon Lee, and Hilary Finchum-Sung don’t hesitate to acknowledge it either.

“We have a strong bond, and we enjoy each other’s company,” said Fredrick about her bandmates in the country trio from Washtenaw County.

Fredrick instantly clicked with Lee and Finchum-Sung last year when they performed together during a songwriters in the round show at Ann Arbor’s Moon Winks Cafe.

“We’ve only been together a year,” Lee said. “We had so much fun at that show that we decided to keep doing it and gave ourselves a name.”

They named themselves The Wildflowers after the “Wildflowers” song from the album Trio, which features Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris.

“People love the harmonies, and that’s a draw,” said Finchum-Sung, who also performs with Lee in J. Michael & The Heavy Burden. “It’s a special thing to have this group.”

I recently spoke with The Wildflowers ahead of an April 3 show at Ann Arbor’s Crazy Wisdom Bookstore.

Continue reading “Sisters of Music — The Wildflowers Bond Together On and Off The Stage in Washtenaw County” →

One Track Mind: 3Steez, “Stand Up!”

3Steez. Photo taken from 3Steez’s Facebook page.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

“One Track Mind” features a Washtenaw County artist or band discussing one song from their latest release.

Standout Track: No. 2, “Stand Up!”, from 3Steez aka Trés Styles. The Athletic Mic League MC’s latest album, The Lover & The Fighter: Ninja, is the first of three planned releases featuring a martial arts theme. The boom-bap hip-hop album revisits 3Steez’s past, including his time living in New York. On “Stand Up!”, 3Steez includes lyrical references to Athletic Mic League, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and other Michigan shout-outs. “I’m in New York talking about being from Michigan. I’m in ninja mode, killing everything as a member of my crew, representing Michigan everywhere I [go]. When I got home, I felt like that song needed to exist and be heard. I’d been in New York so long people thought I was from there—which made sense—but as a member of AML, I had to make sure Michigan was still being put on the map.”

Continue reading “One Track Mind: 3Steez, “Stand Up!”” →

Change of Pace — Ness Lake Finds the Right Groove on “Normal Speed” Album

Marco Aziel, Chandler Lach, and Brandon McDole of Ness Lake. Photo – Spencer Isberg

Chandler Lach needs a change of pace.

The Ypsilanti musician spent six years working on Ness Lake’s latest album and reflecting on several life changes.

“I was facing a lot of weird inner turmoil and changes,” said Lach, the band’s frontman, about Normal Speed.

“And now, looking back on it, I wrote all those songs about needing to get better before realizing that I really needed to. I think it’s a pretty constant experience of an artist to look back on former work and think, ‘Oh, you were so cute six years ago. I can’t believe that experience was so intense for you. I can’t believe that was what was consuming me at that time.’”

Lach chronicles his evolution across nine tracks, which explore relationships, mental health, and sobriety.

“There’s a lot of hope on the album, too. It’s cool to see that hope has been realized,” he said.

“Thematically, it’s knowing that things need to improve and not knowing exactly the steps to get there, but seeing that there is some light there. It’s strange writing songs now. I have different problems and anxieties, but also different joys and pleasures.”

On Normal Speed, Lach excels alongside bassist/multi-instrumentalist/producer Marco Aziel and former drummer/percussionist Brandon McDole. Ness Lake’s contemplative lyrics and experimental instrumentation instantly resonate with fans of emo, shoegaze, and indie rock.

“I walk away from the whole experience [being] so grateful to Marco and Brandon for pushing [us]. This is the product … because of that hard work,” said Lach, whose band name takes inspiration from Loch Ness. “I’m really interested, excited, and curious to see how it’s received and what happens next. I think no matter what, we have a cool roster of new songs.”

I recently spoke with the band about the album ahead of a January 30 album release show at Ziggy’s.

Continue reading “Change of Pace — Ness Lake Finds the Right Groove on “Normal Speed” Album” →