Friday Five: Sean Curtis Patrick, Jienan Yuan, Youth Novel, Weekend Hours, The Kelseys

Fri, 02/26/2021 - 8:00am by christopherporter

Friday Five is where we highlight music by Washtenaw County-associated artists.

This week feature archival works from electronic artist Sean Curtis Patrick, piano miniatures from Jienan Yuan, screamo from Youth Novel, and polished pop from Weekend Hours and The Kelseys.

Smooth Transitions: From opening for Jay-Z and a residency at Ann Arbor’s Alley Bar to spinning online, DJ Graffiti is in the mix

Wed, 02/24/2021 - 10:00am by christopherporter

From opening for Beyonce at the Palace to dad, entrepreneur, and local DJ, and back again—this is the story of Martin Smith aka DJ Graffiti and how he made the dream of becoming an internationally renowned DJ work during a global pandemic.

Misfortune & No Wealth: Soul band The 24-Carat Black was discovered in Ann Arbor and recorded its 1973 underground classic in Ypsi

Mon, 02/22/2021 - 12:00pm by christopherporter

The long-running 33 1/3 book series devotes each volume to the study of one classic album’s creation, impact and essence, and recent entry number 152 concerns an album made in Ypsilanti nearly 50 years ago. Author Zach Schonfeld relates the messy tale of quixotic ambition that birthed an album unknown but not unheard, commercially unsuccessful but the backbone of big hits for other artists: The 24-Carat Black's Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth.

Friday Five: Andrew WK, Ki5, DJ FLP, Villin and Notorious_Vonna C, Emilie Lin

Fri, 02/19/2021 - 8:00am by christopherporter

Friday Five is where we highlight music by Washtenaw County-associated artists.

This week features symphonic metal blasted by Andrew WK, R&B romanticism via Ki5, skittering electronica courtesy DJ FLP, hip-hop from Villin and Notorious_Vonna C, and contemplative solo piano by Emilie Lin.

Taking the Hit: Ann Arbor singer-songwriter Lily Talmers explores big questions through small details on her excellent album debut

Tue, 02/16/2021 - 6:00pm by christopherporter

When Lily Talmers sings "Is there anybody listening to me? / From the middle of America you scream out to the ocean, it gets lost" it's not just a plea by a 23-year-old Ann Arbor singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist who wants to be heard.

Friday Five: Ma Baker, Chris DuPont, Mike Dos, Nick Melody, Prol'e

Fri, 02/12/2021 - 8:00am by christopherporter

Friday Five is where we highlight music by Washtenaw County-associated artists.

This week features jams courtesy Ma Baker, Americana from Chris DuPont, R&B hip-hop by Mike Dos, indie rock from Nick Melody, and hip-hop from Prol'e.
 

Gabba gabba, we accept you, one of us: A history of The Ramones in Ann Arbor

Tue, 02/09/2021 - 10:00am by christopherporter

[Updated February 9, 2021, with photos and reviews from The Ann Arbor News].

Friday Five: Nickie P, Aareus Jones, Modern Lady Fitness, Weekend Hours, Safa Collective

Fri, 02/05/2021 - 7:00am by christopherporter

Friday Five is where we highlight music by Washtenaw County-associated artists.

This week features hip-hop from Nickie P and Aareus Jones, indie rock from Modern Lady Fitness and Weekend Hours, and a multigenre compilation by Safa Collective.
 

Afa S. Dworkin on the Sphinx Virtuosi and their UMS concert "This Is America"

Thu, 02/04/2021 - 12:00pm by christopherporter

Classical music has had a long history of lacking diversity, which is why Aaron P. Dworkin founded the Sphinx Organization in 1997 to encourage and support minorities in this art form. The name was inspired by the iconic Great Sphinx of Giza statue in Egypt, which “reflects the power, wisdom and persistence that characterize Sphinx’s participants," according to the Detroit-based organization's website.

Dance past winter's midway point with vintage Carlos Souffront mixes at WCBN

Wed, 02/03/2021 - 2:00pm by christopherporter

At 4:49 pm today it's the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, so it's time to hit the cosmic dancefloor and celebrate the fact that we're halfway through the worst season.