Nathan K. // Leave Them (Official Video) (Our Sunday Best)

If one could take all the suffering and beauty of Michigan. Its many closed factories and depressed economy, contrast all the dark negative reality with the natural beauty found in the more rural aspects of our environs; the running rivers, those deep blue lakes, the white-tail deer, and the wild turkeys. Take all this and distill it into song. Nathan K. provides those songs, narrates our state of being into beautiful odes. Songs forlorn and gorgeous with hope and a relentless optimism. Watch the Xack Gibson directed video for Nathans’ song “Leave Them” from the forthcoming record Dishes, out June 26, 2012. Peace. Continue reading “Nathan K. // Leave Them (Official Video) (Our Sunday Best)”

Greensky Bluegrass // Handguns EP

The name Michigan is derived from the  Chippewa Indian word “meicigama” which translates into great water, and refers to the Great Lake. And perhaps our tears of happiness and sadness add to the dark-ribboned depths of those storied waters.

Somethings are immutable. The healing power of music is one such thing. Like a smooth shot of white lightning, the sounds of Greensky Bluegrass levels things out and calms a heated heart and buoys a hopeful one. It’s also the  perfect accompaniment to the dwindling light of day. From Kalamazoo, Michigan these fine men are brethren to our precarious seasons, our big sky and a wilderness none too far away just outside our front doors. And the music made by Dave Bruzza, Paul Hoffman, Michael Bont, Anders Beck and Mike Devol is more than fiddles and twangy homespun goodness, it is both remedy and heartbreak. Their music ferries us away to a place less log-jammed with complications, allowing our hearts spill into the larger bastions of the great lakes that dot the compass our home state. Grab a copy of the band’s Handguns EP (2011), and with songs like, “Don’t Lie”, “Cold Feet” and the epical beauty “All Four” it’s hard to deny their longstanding talent. Oh this is wholesome music, satisfying the partaker on a deeper level with every listen. Come frame your moments with GSBG and know kinship. You can catch ’em live at The Loft (April 12th), the Magic Bag (April 13th), and at Bell’s Eccentric Café (April 14th). And for more great music check out Greensky Bluegrass on SoundCloud and on find additional tour dates and band info at www.greenskybluegrass.com. Peace. Continue reading “Greensky Bluegrass // Handguns EP”

Nitelife // On The Run (Our Sunday Best)

Here in Michigan you kind of know what you’re getting into, we got four seasons. At times though, it seems there is only two; a hot, too muggy season, and a bitterly (schizophrenic) cold season. Pretty simple right? But when listening to the sunshiny music of Ann Arbor, Michigan-based electrolyte-synth duo Nitelife, it is easy to imagine tropical-esque weather the whole year round. Darin Rajabian and Caroline Myrick are the figurative gas and pedal propelling this bright shiny new musical vehicle forward. And as frontwomen go, it is easy to get lost in the flurry of sweetness that is Caroline Myrick’s vocals. Vocals I might add, which are perfectly counterbalanced by the clever and whimsical synth-work of Darin Rajabian. And with a sound reminiscent of 80’s electro-pop (think New Order meets Erasure), and add the echoing vocals of a 90’s Artificial Joy Club, but with the edges all billowy cotton-ball soft, and your pretty close. Regardless of musical references, you’ll not only like the first single release “On The Run,” but the whole kit and kaboodle of their Radio EP is not only good, it’s highly recommended. Check it out after the jump, and after you click play, this chilly Michigan weather will be a distant memory. Peace. Continue reading “Nitelife // On The Run (Our Sunday Best)”

Christopher Norman // Connect Me

Born in Traverse City, Michigan but currently residing in Ann Arbor, MI the ingenuous and highly catchy music of Christopher Norman has burrowed its way into my head … and I like it. This bright new up and coming singer/songwriter/producer is well on his way to gaining, not only recognition here in Michigan, but he is more than poised to make a huge splash elsewhere as well. Want proof? Listen to his indie-produced single “Connect Me” and if it fails (it won’t) to get you moving and smiling, then you my friend may be in need of a defibrillator or an hearing-aid. Also, check out his sonically well-crafted EP2 released September 2011, this is 5-beautiful songs shot through with enough giddy frisson to last you long after the songs have ended. Yes, you may have guessed, I’m a fan. Peace.

“Connect Me” (2012)

EP2 (2011)

DJ Lucid – Best Of 2011

I got to give it up to my homeboy Joshua Lemanski bka DJ Lucid for putting in work. Lucid‘s rise is nothing short of meteoric. Traveling the world and soundtracking good times galore. So, if you like to shake you ass, don’t worry he got you. And to showcase his dopeness DJ Lucid even put together his Best of 2011 to cap off a wonderful year, and to bring in 2012 with a bonafide BANG! Play this one loud. Peace. Continue reading “DJ Lucid – Best Of 2011”