We had the opportunity to interview passionate music fans Ralph and Deb, who share their experiences and insights about the local music scene in West Michigan.

They discuss their favorite bands, the importance of supporting local artists, and the vibrant community that surrounds live music.

The conversation flows through various topics, including personal stories, musical influences, and the evolution of music venues, creating a rich tapestry of the music culture in the area.

Bands mentioned:

Low Phase,Ficus, Squatch, Candid Antics, Ten Peso Version, Vagabonds, Earth Radio, Normal Mode, August, Phabies, Michigan Rattlers, Emma Bieniewicz, Tiberius, Common Molly, Max Lockwood, Loren Johnson, In The Valley Below, The Fever Haze, Nathan Walton, The Temperances, Marsfade, Bree Stoner, Whorled, Colt Snuffer, Jake Allen, Jake Kershaw, Overdrive Orchestra, Lost Magic, Empress Eyes, Cosmoknights, Cameron Blake, Ralston Bowles, Eric O'Daly, Gram Parsons-- The Go Rounds, The Ragbirds, Breathe Owl Breathe, Midwest Skies, Odd Space, Grace Thiesen, The Rupple Brothers, Folias Duo, Molly, Verve Pipe, Levitator, Alex Teller w/ Andy Travis, Audrey Pearson, Gianna Stansell, THV, Cordero, Anagail, Brian Oberlin of Full Cord etc., Pretoria, Space Bar

Elliott Black Video

Elliott Black - Elogy For August b/w Highway Song

Takeaways

• Ralph and Deb are avid supporters of local music.
• The local music scene is thriving with talent.
• Collaboration among artists is prioritized over competition.
• Attending live shows fosters a strong community connection.
• Diverse musical influences shape their listening preferences.
• They have a long list of favorite local bands.
• Music venues play a crucial role in the local scene.
• Personal connections with artists enhance the concert experience.
• The quality of local music is exceptional and accessible.
• They encourage others to explore and support local music.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Music Enthusiasts

02:02 Exploring Local Music Venues

04:52 Diverse Musical Influences and Genres

08:08 The Importance of Supporting Local Artists

10:46 Sharing Favorite Bands and Artists

13:20 Personal Stories and Musical Journeys

16:02 The Evolution of Music Experiences

18:56 Reflections on Music and Community

22:08 Emerging Artists and Local Talent

25:04 Exploring Local Venues and Live Music Experiences

29:30 The Rise of Female Singers in the Local Scene

33:02 Reflections on the Music Scene and Personal Experiences

38:02 Challenges in Promoting Local Music

38:37 The Importance of Supporting Local Bands

39:28 Outro

#ZachDubay #CandidAntics #Walk the Beat #Nashville #musicscene #drummer #liveperformance #musicalinfluences #practice

Drummer Zach Dubay shares his journey through the music scene, discussing the formation of his band, Candid Antics. He reflects on winning the Walk the Beat competition, his unique experiences subbing for various bands, and the challenges of filling in for gigs.

Zach also delves into his musical influences, the importance of practice, and his upcoming move to Nashville, where he hopes to expand his opportunities in the vibrant music scene.

The discussion highlights the differences between the music culture in Nashville and Grand Rapids, emphasizing the importance of connections and community in the industry.

Takeaways

• Zach Dubay is a core member of Candid Antics.
• The band Pocket Watch had to change their name due to a cease and desist.
• Candid Antics won the Walk the Beat competition in 2023.
• Zach has experience subbing for various bands and artists.
• He emphasizes the importance of practice in a musician's life.
• Zach is moving to Nashville for more opportunities.
• The music scene in Nashville offers more gigs than Grand Rapids.
• Connections in the music industry are crucial for success.
• Zach's musical influences include classic rock and iconic drummers.
• He believes that the currency of musicians is relationships built over drinks.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setup

01:46 The Evolution of Candid Antics

04:31 Subbing and Collaborations in Music

07:15 Recording Experiences and Challenges

09:41 Influences and Musical Background

21:25 Musical Beginnings and Early Influences

25:00 Moving to Nashville: Opportunities and Aspirations

28:11 The Music Scene: Comparisons Between Nashville and West Michigan

34:19 The Importance of Practice and Personal Growth

40:37 Reflections on the Music Journey and Future Plans

41:18 Outro

While we were at Michigan Music Alliance's Music Econ Summit earlier this year, we had the opportunity to interview singer songwriter, Jeeto, and author and music industry professional, Michael Byrd..

Jeeto discusses his journey in music, the creative process, and the importance of authenticity. He shares insights on overcoming the fear of failure and the significance of getting feedback quickly. Jeeto emphasizes the raw and authentic sound he aims to achieve in his music, which is influenced by his personal experiences and trauma.

Michael Byrd provides valuable insights into the business side of music, highlighting the importance of understanding the industry to succeed. We discuss Byrd's upcoming book, 'Fix It in the Mix,' which serves as a guide for musicians navigating the music business.

We talked with the band Widetrack consisting of father Ron and son Zach, about the evolution of their band and the creative process behind their recent album, Galatea.

They delve into the significance of their father-son dynamic, the impact of their musical influences, and the challenges of perfectionism in music production.

Zach shares his experiences at Berklee, highlighting the importance of being surrounded by talented musicians. The conversation also touches on the meaning behind their band name, the significance of their song titles, and their plans for future performances.

In this conversation, Simon Rusk, the owner and head brewer of The Livery Brewery, shares insights into the history of the venue, its unique space, and the challenges of running a live music space.

He discusses the brewery's commitment to crafting a variety of beverages, including beer, seltzer, and mocktails, while also emphasizing the importance of supporting original music.

Simon highlights the community engagement aspect of the brewery and its food offerings, as well as upcoming events that promise to bring more live music to Benton Harbor.

In this episode, Michael Balcom, co-founder of The Odd Fellow Concert Lounge in Wyandotte, shares insights about the vibrant local music scene, the historical significance of the venue, and the community-driven mission of Be Well My Friends.

The discussion highlights the growth of Wyandotte as a nightlife destination, the grassroots efforts to support local musicians, and the various fundraising initiatives aimed at helping those in need within the community.

Michael emphasizes the importance of collaboration, volunteerism, and the joy of live music as a means to foster community spirit and support local causes.

We finally caught up with the psych rock band, ⁠Levitator⁠., that hails from Petosky and Traverse City. In this episode, they discuss their journey from a country cover band to a psych rock ensemble. We touch on their creative process and the dynamics of being a six-piece band.

Levitator talks about how Northern Michigan music scene is different than playing downstate with the pros and cons. We reminisce on first time they played at ⁠The Pyramid Scheme ⁠with⁠ Ficus⁠, ⁠Carbon Decoy⁠ and ⁠Overdrive Orchestra⁠.

They share insights on their latest EP, the importance of live performances, and their plans for future music, emphasizing the friendships and connections formed along the way.

While we were at Michigan Music Alliance's Music Econ Summit earlier this year, we had the opportunity to interview violist, Connor Meston, and founder of Rap Roots Media, Brayden Flodin.

Connor shares his unique journey as a violist, discussing his collaborations with various bands and the challenges of navigating the music industry.

Brayden, on the other hand, delves into his experiences as a music marketer and podcaster, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in music.