Joe Marcinek’s latest release, The Groove Sessions, is a collection of jazz-funk tunes that will gently fry your mind with music at the highest intellectual level while never speaking down to you. This iteration of the Dead Funk Summit includes the amazing Greg Spero on keys, the Sanchez brothers—Ronnie (bass) and Manny (drums)—providing the rhythm… Continue reading A Journey Through Joe Marcinek's The Groove Sessions
Asbury Park, home of the legendary Stone Pony, is where iconic New Jersey rockers like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny first honed their craft. But what happens when master musicians from Berklee College of Music join forces on this hallowed ground? Fans of Dogs In A Pile know exactly what happens—pure musical magic.… Continue reading Asbury’s Dogs Run Wild in Kalamazoo's Musical Playground
Elephant Revival brought their “A Game” of inspiring musical evolution to the packed Mission Ballroom in Denver, Colorado last night. The genuine diversity among the band members provided a staggering display of some of the coolest musical ideas on earth. The band has always self-expressed their musical style as “Transcendental Folk Music,” meaning their music… Continue reading Elevated Folk: Elephant Revival’s Dynamic Mile High Show
Hailing from the vibrant musical landscape of Denver, Colorado, and taking center stage at the legendary Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, rising Denver jam messiahs RADO delivered arguably their largest and most explosive performance to date. With a dynamic display of versatility, cohesion, and ever-expanding improvisational prowess, the Colorado quartet captivated the crowd with an electrifying set… Continue reading Ascending the Jam Throne: RADO’s Explosive Night at Cervantes
Bell’s Eccentric Café has struck upon a brilliant idea with their Spring Concert Series, offering local talent the opportunity to shine on a professional stage—and what remarkable talent Kalamazoo has to showcase! This week I enjoyed performances from three outstanding groups, plus an exciting new star who illuminated the Backroom stage. Yolonda Lavender, Normal Mode,… Continue reading Spring Awakens at Bell’s: Yolonda Lavender, Normal Mode & Brandon Fitzpatrick Dazzle
The Livery in Benton Harbor, Michigan, knows great music and goes out of its way to bring talented new groups to the stage. Once young groups get a taste of the food, fun, and incredible fans at The Livery, they can’t wait to come back—to a place that feels like home when you’re on the… Continue reading Them Coulee Boys Bring Funky Bluegrass Home to Benton Harbor
Back in January, Billy Strings and his outfit performed at Ball Arena in Denver in front of their largest indoor crowd to date. Making magic for three nights in a row, the crowd left each show wanting more and for Colorado, this is typically the case when it comes to bluegrass. Whether it was marketing… Continue reading Billy Failing | Aggie Theatre | 3/28/25
I love the Dead. I could listen to “Brown Eyed Women,” “Bertha,” or “Jack Straw” every day for the rest of my life and be happy. But there comes a time to ask: “What would Jerry do?” Thinking about that question, the answer is right in front of us—he and all the other members of… Continue reading Dead to Rights at The Livery: Crafting Their Own Musical Legacy
ALO, once and sometimes still known as Animal Liberation Orchestra, released their latest album Frames (Brushfire Records) today, April 4. The 10-song collection is either the sixth or the ninth album by the NorCal quartet, depending on whether one counts three late-90s records that can’t be found anywhere on the internet. Frames is available now… Continue reading Framing the Love: ALO Discusses Their New Album
Celebrating their return to Los Angeles and the illustrious Wiltern Theatre, the veteran Scottish rock act pulled out every stop imaginable to a sold-out crowd over the weekend. Preceded by a rousing introduction by up-and-coming New York act Telescreens, the stage was set for a memorable performance from Glassgow greats. In an appropriate homage to… Continue reading Franz Ferdinand | The Wiltern | 3/29/2025
