Grab A Plate From The Mitten State
I gotta admit I've been feeling a little silly lately. Last year I went all over America and then some to talk about some of the hottest new acts I could find on the map. I brought you talent from Oregon, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Chicago, Manchester and more....
But if I'm speaking from the heart...some of the dopest deals are happening right outside my front door....
Kalamazoo, Michigan.....The Motor City of Detroit.....Ann Arbor and Lansing.....everything from alternative to shoegaze to underground hip hop with so much motivational methodology in their lyrical output...it'll make your mind sting....
Who'd have guessed that the towns raising kids throwing hoops in their remodeled basements would bring up such heavy hitters....so much salt and pepper in their attitude....there's hardly even a need for cocktail bitters...
Take a look below at some of the players I keep on repeat lately and maybe you too can discover your own platter of midwest super spitters...
M.I.C Book (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
With influences like Nas and Big L., M.I.C is taking the local streets by storm with the way he's tackling the flow. In songs like "G.I. Hoe" and "Jordan Peele" he brings a "cole world" type energy into our Southwest Michigan villages.
Take a look at his album "L.O.T.A. (Language Of The Angels)" released summer of last year, here.
Love Interest (Detroit, Michigan)
Move over Siouxsie Sioux and goodbye Bush....Detroit based post punk is here with Love Interest and their 2023 "Motherwound" EP. The track "Kursk" has been on endless repeat for me lately as well as their tune "Wretched Sisters".
I so dig when someone can take something like the electric guitar off the intro to "How Soon Is Now" and make it completely their own. I almost like it better!
They're hooks are phenomenal and you know what? Their bridges are too. Sleeping on this society right now is the last thing you're going to want to do....
Petalwave (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
I was never one to lean into the whiney mopings of Chris Carrabba's music when Dashboard Confessional was a thing...but hey....as I always say "different strokes for different folks"....I never understood what he was so sad about...and when they come on the radio my response is usually to "make it.....go away...."
Petalwave of Ann Arbor is a complete juxtaposition in the most refreshing way....
They remind me of a cooler version of Keane...a less Bay Area vibe...but still some speckles of high pitched Green Day....
Dig more into their 2025 album "Morning Somewhere" now and see why I'm becoming obsessed with their dream pop indie rock feels...
Bluhm (Detroit, Michigan)
Definitely in the dreamy shoegaze category...Bluhm has been my new go to when I need something inspirational on to get me to focused. Groovier than XTC, and funner than FUN.
It's pleasantly paced...thoughtfully crafted and the perfect pick for when you need to mentally adjust. I'd compare them to Beach Fossils....or possibly even Beach House. Their single "When You Come Over" should have been on the radio five years ago....and the fact that it hasn't been....makes it all that more special...
If your life's song is still searching for it's chorus..."Midnight Hill" released in 2024....just may be your vessel.....
Mar in Color (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Move over Bareilles....and meet your new mini Amy Lee.....I just found something a hell of a lot snazzier.
Sometimes she hits you with a soft vocal, and other times she'll slap you upside the face with a mashup you can't help but blast as you cruise through town.
Mar in Color of Grand Rapids is bringing something epic to the party...and if you're anywhere near Southwest Michigan this summer you're going to want to catch her (and possibly her hubby) in action.
Her 2023 EP "Darkness in Me" will forever be getting my repeat play.
Rudy Will (Monroe, Michigan)
Born Kyle William Christunas, just outside of Detroit, Michigan...Rudy brings initiative to the arts and produced his very first album/mixtape entitled "Trackmeat" back in 2006 himself....featuring collabs on the album with Max Garcia.
I've been streaming his EP "The Higher Chronicles" (released 2012) and with tracks like "Keep Clappin" and "Can't Blame Me" I'm wondering why G Eazy even stood to exist in the first place....
His rhythm is like syrup....and his beats are infectious....with talent like this in the game there's barely even a race.....
Discovering these pieces of flair....and realizing they're literally just over here....and over there....makes me want to hop in the car ASAP and find a live event...something rare...
The next time someone asks you if you've heard of Rudy Williams...Bluhm...or Petalwave....do your best not to be late. Besides, it's the job of the fans to show up when the labels don't choose to or when venues still need to be pleaded with...
The Mitten State may be moving "in silence" right now.....but if the rest of the industry doesn't start paying attention..and quick...whatever city has the top acts as of right now.....is soon be a myth....
