Mitten Music

Ramble Tamble’s surf-rock dream pours out in a wild, energetic live set—without surfboards or studio perfection. If you love raw, spontaneous music with a beachy twist, this episode is your new favorite soundtrack. Imagine a band from Michigan that channels the ocean’s vibe with just three guitars, keyboards, and pure improvisation. Ramble Tamble shares how a vintage baritone guitar, a stormy stor...

Most bands get stuck in the same old formulas. Zinc Vacuum , a two-piece psych-rock band from Michigan, shook up the scene in just two years—releasing their debut album Exit Seventh and crafting a fresh sound that mixes heavy riffs, dynamic jams, and raw creativity. Their journey from college talent shows to regional gigs proves that minimalism and fearless experimentation can create a signature s...

Join Bryce and Kyle from Pretty Sure as they share candid stories about their journey in music, their upcoming tour, the nuances of releasing EPs versus albums, and their creative processes. This episode offers an authentic look into what it takes to grow in the indie scene while staying true to their art. They share how Spotify determines if the music is an EP or Album. This leads to a conversati...

Explore the story behind Traverse City's vibrant music scene through the lens of The Alluvion venue. This episode features insights from Matt McCalpin, the venue's operations and booking manager, and audio engineer Tiff Falls, as they discuss the venue’s inception, unique features, and upcoming events. The Alluvion in Traverse City proves that a passionate, musician-led space can rapidly build a v...

Most live visuals feel canned. Not this—Matthew Stafford, aka Super Nuclear , reveals how he creates mesmerizing, ever-changing light shows in real time that turn every performance into an immersive spectacle. If you've ever wondered how a liquid light show can sync perfectly with psychedelic, doom, or surf rock, this episode uncovers the secrets behind live visual art that captivates audience...

Haskins returns to the show for the first time in two years to talk about new music, their plans for Volume V , and what life looks like for an indie rock band juggling families, day jobs, and late‑night rehearsals. The band shares updates on their upcoming studio sessions, how they approach recording, and why some venues are getting harder to find — especially on Michigan’s west side. We also get...

Unlock the inspiring story of Wyandotte’s T he Odd Fellow Concert Lounge , where community, charity, and original music collide. When a small-town pub crawl raised over $1,600 for local nonprofits—and evolved into a hub for live, original acts—everything changed. Co-founders Brian Webb and Michael Balcom share their journey of transforming a historic building into a vibrant space that fuels local...

Singer‑songwriter Lori Keisler of Lori & The Darlings joins us for a heartfelt conversation about the unexpected spark that launched her band, the decades of songwriting she’s carried with her, and the emotional weight of performing original music. She shares how a chance online‑dating encounter during COVID led to the song “Chocolate Covered Blueberries,” which in turn inspired her to finally...

In this episode, we had the opportunity to chat with three members (Rob, Mike, and Steve) from the Rust Belt Americana band, Midnight Proof , prior to their show at The Oddfellow Concert Lounge . They share their journey from cover band, Groovin' Violation to 100% focus on original music. The cover band helped fund their start but now they are having a blast creating their own sound and don&#3...

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations. In this episode, we enter the world of graphic design while we were onsite for the GIG - The Art of Michigan Music⁠⁠ event in November 2025. We spoke with Professor of Graphic Design at Jackson College , Christie Hughes , and one of her student's Jaylen Westbrook⁠⁠ . They discuss the curriculum, tools, and the approach to the...

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations. We had an in-depth conversation with five graphic artists ( Carl Lundgren , Dennis Preston , Matthew Jacobson , Jonathan Doyle , and Jaylen Westbrook ) that are involved in creating art for music at GIG - The Art of Michigan Music event in November of 2025. Most of the conversation focuses on concert posters but dabbles in a litt...

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations. In this episode, we caught up with American garage psych, stoner, acid rock band, Carbon Decoy , from Michigan at the GIG - Art of Michigan Music event. Casey and Earl got us up to speed on what the band has been doing since we last talked to them in 2024. Earl covered how he balances being a dad a rock band. They discussed the a...

In this episode, we talked with four music photographers at GIG - Art of Michigan Music Event . Each of these individuals gave us a different angle on how they got started in taking photos of live music. From the photo pit to gear to their memorable moments, they show us through their lens what it is like to be a photographer in the Michigan music scene and beyond. Brandon Nagy is a photographer a...

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations from the people making the Michigan music ecosystem thrive. GIG - Art of Michigan Music Event Founders Chuck and Brenda Marshall talk to us about how the origin of the event and the importance of highlighting these artists. Their own crafts of writing and photography lead us to conversations about their other adventures in music a...

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations about the Michigan music scene. In this episode, Jeff and Ryan recap their year of the podcast and the Michigan music news. They talk about some of the interviews they had with musicians such as Mike Ward, Spencer LaJoye, Rebekah Jon, Kylee Phillips, Chris DuPont, and Kyle Joe. They talk about the venues that closed and opened or...

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations. This episode features a relaxed interview with dream pop musician, ⁠Empress Eyes⁠ . We had the opportunity to talk to her about on the day she released new music on her latest EP, Press Reverse. We learned more about her lyric writing and why she wears those fairy wings in live performances. She noted new music coming in January...

In our episode today, we talk with good friends Ken Freestone (UKEn) and David Purnell from West Michigan. Ken began playing ukulele at the age of 61. He has built a lot of connections, like he does with all things he is involved in, with folks across the world due to this late life skill. Dave is a guitar teacher who provided some early lessons on the ukulele. Dave also talks about his love of au...

In this episode, we explore the vibrant music scene at the ⁠Sounds of the Zoo Festival⁠ , featuring interviews with two bands and one photographer, including ⁠The Blue Pines⁠ , ⁠Sophia McIntosh⁠ and the Sages, and Stacey Griffin from ⁠Dreamwave Photography⁠ . The discussions delve into the artists' backgrounds, their creative processes, and the unique experiences of performing at the festival. The...

We had the opportunity to talk with Kalamazoo's alternative pop band Basic Comfort at the Sounds of the Zoo festival. The band has been playing music for over a decade. We discussed their music creation process and upcoming releases. The band shares insights into their collaborative approach and the evolution of their sound, highlighting their latest single 'Aurora' and plans for future music. Tak...

Listen to our raw, live interview with Overdrive Orchestra at Bells Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo! The members of Overdrive Orchestra discuss their latest album 'Restless Star', the creative process behind their music, and their influences, including a nod to Pink Floyd. They share insights into their recording process, the challenges of collaboration, and their excitement for upcoming shows...

This episode consists of two interviews with women vocalists, Erin Monroe and Celestina Robles from Celestina y Los Sanchez, that we came across while at the Sounds of the Zoo Festival in Kalamazoo. ⁠Erin Monroe⁠ , singer songwriter, shares her experiences with busking, her musical journey, and the importance of collaboration in the music industry. She discusses her recent performances, upcoming p...

In this episode, Chris Simpson, founder of Catch and Play Songs , discusses his journey from musician to music marketing expert. He shares insights on the importance of community building, artist development, and the evolving landscape of music marketing. Chris emphasizes the need for artists to engage with their audience authentically and the benefits of a dedicated fan base. Takeaways Music mark...

In this episode, dive into the story of Pretoria , the indie rock band that began in Michigan and is now gigging in Chicago. Discover why the band chose to relocate to Chicago and how it has impacted their music and opportunities. Explore how Pretoria's sound evolved from grunge to indie rock, influenced by their changing tastes and experiences. Listen to tales from their first national tour,...

In this episode, the comedy rock band PleTHorA shares their unique journey, blending medieval themes with modern superhero culture. They discuss their origins, the challenges of album production, and their vibrant performances at the Renaissance Festival . The band highlights their creative process, collaborations, and future projects, including themed albums and a comic book. With a dynamic lineu...

Jon Hayes , a talented singer-songwriter from Michigan, shares his musical journey, influences, and the evolution of his career. From his early days of learning guitar to his transition into a full-time musician, Jon discusses the challenges and triumphs he has faced along the way. He reflects on his musical style, comparisons to artists like John Mayer and Bon Iver, and the importance of building...