Acoustic Alternatives

Ma Reilly is a new electro folk project from Michigan songwriter Annie Bacon. Stepping away from the familiar folk leaning music she's been making for over a decade to explore, in her words, "a deeply personal interrogation of trauma and dissociation, and their long term effects on memory and connection." The songs in this performance differ greatly from what will be released on the album Exile to...

Oakland Rain weren't on my radar until their promoter made me aware of the tour they were on with the legendary Judy Collins. For a young duo from Norway to be out with such a well respected music legend, they must be good. And, oh my, I was not prepared for what I was feeling being in the room with these two sister when they sang. The microphones don't do it justice. By the end of this session, M...

Album number 13 from Jill Jack comes in her 29th year of releasing music independently. The 14 track affair is an exploration of all the musical styles that makes up the 50+ time Detroit Music Award winner. On this unprecedented third visit to Grove Studios, Jill brought along band mates Mark Iannace and Michael Robertson to more closely resemble the record. Somewhere along the way, you get to lea...

18 years after I first heard this magical voice that blew me away, Kylee Phillips is finally releasing her first full length album. During what appears to be at least our eighth time sitting down in a similar setting, you'll learn about the new record, Before I Am Invisible and further tidbits that maybe you didn't learn about in my other podcasts since Acoustic Alternatives launched in 2020. Husb...

Here's a session recorded on Oct 16, 2026 at Robin Hill Farm for the CDL Songfest. I was asked to do the interview for this planned performance. I thought it was worth an ask to see if Chris would let me record it for the podcast. He said yes, but that wasn't relayed to the gentlemen running sound. I wasn't given the opportunity to do a sound check with my recording equipment, so what you are hear...

Markus Hartnett, Mike Francis, Brian Williams, Charlie Reischl & Tony Pace are the SE Michigan Americana band The Minor Pieces. A listen to this flawed audio (the source mix was great, the feed to my recording device not so much and me forgetting to turn off the reverb on the first section of interview) will reveal bits and pieces about how the band formed and a bit about each band member. A n...

Katie Greene, formerly known as Katie Pederson, impressed me the first time I saw her play an outdoor open mic at the Ann Arbor Art Fair many years ago. I knew I was seeing a special talent and I am so happy that success is finding its way to her. Her trio, The Rebel Eves, is making head way into the hearts of listeners across the country (and soon enough on the Hill Auditorium for the Ann Arbor F...

Kelsey. is the new moniker for an Ann Arbor based singer who has changed her style (and persona) since the release of her debut recordings as Ceolsige in 2022. Love Hard is an ambitious new 16 track release that explores the many sides of Kelsey. A little pop and a lot more rock in a style she calls "disco rock." These acoustic takes on piano and guitar don't truly reflect the hard work that went...

Another talent from the vast Michigan music scene made their way to Grove Studios for Acoustic Alternatives. Ani Mari is originally from Marquette (and, as we learn, may return to live there some day), but migrated to Ann Arbor to go to the University of Michigan. She got attention at the age of 12 in a duo she was in singing by performing a song about a festival at the actual festival and the bal...

The gifted artist Julianne Ankley joins me for a second visit on the podcast, this time with the generous help of Ryan Anderson from Sound Space Detroit for which I am very grateful for . Julianne is really hitting a creative stride in her career. After being in a band (Redhill) that garnered national attention and putting out some solo material since 2009, things really seem to be going in the ri...

The main reason for the podcast is music discovery for you, my listener. When I hear someone I think needs a larger audience I make it a point to get them on the podcast and to your ears. It took about 3 years from the first time I heard his voice for me to get it to your ears, but I think you'll find it worth the wait. Songs written by John Richard Paul: Untitled New Song In Return Existentialist...

Marshall, MI's Sammie Hershock is off to good start in her young recording career. Already an award winner and already lucky enough to work with some of Michigan's finest fellow musicians, Sammie is putting out her second full length record in the fall of 2026. Acoustic Alternatives was lucky enough to get a preview of 4 of the songs to be included on this next record. We also might have learned a...

Come on a journey with me to another era and another place. Cabaret Boreale aren't from these times, though the band's members, Katie Lynne, Don Reinholm, Phil LaDouceur and Andrew Brown certainly are. Katie, Don and Phil formed this ensemble around the time Andrew Brown was earning acknowledgment for his project Djangophonique (another act that leans heavily into another era). If you're just list...

Dave Boutette and Kristi Lynn Davis, now known as Dave & Kristi, make a return visit to the podcast WITHOUT MASKS more than 5 1/2 years since their last visit. Songs from their newest album The Chickadees performed this time. Songs written by Dave Boutette with help from Kristi Davis All Are Welcome Here Soapbox Soliloquy Outlaw Polka You Chase Too Many Things. More about Dave & Kristi: ht...

He released his first album back in 1987, was signed to Windham Hill family of labels for a handful of releases, but has put out the bulk of his recordings on the great label Red House Records. People who have been guests on his releases include Shawn Colvin, Nanci Griffith, Ani DiFranco, Lucy Kaplansky, Eliza Gilkyson, Jonatha Brooke, Antje Duvekot, Claudia Schmidt, David Wilcox, Cliff Eberhardt,...

Northville, MI's Ryan Racine has 30 years of playing in bands behind him and all the skills to get the attention of fans of Alt Country/Americana ahead of him. When I hear his new record, Valhalla Afternoon, and think about how I felt about 2018's Outsider's Heart when it came out, I realize I just don't know what someone has to do to get the attention of the masses. You can be as good as Jason Is...

Milan, MI's Lauren Blackford came to my attention as an opening act for my friend and recent guest on the podcast, Rochelle Clark at her show at The Ark. I brought Lauren on stage that night, embarrassingly briefly saying her name wrong in the process. After hearing just a few songs from the stage, I knew that I was witnessing something special. The "IT" factor was there and I immediately invited...

I first encountered Kate Peterson as half of the duo Nervous But Excited. With the band's unknown status (hiatus? vacation? definitely not broken up) I took the opportunity to visit with Kate about her upcoming Michigan performances and chat about her life and get her to sing a couple of songs. I don't think she was too nervous, but perhaps a little excited. For reference, Nervous But Excited reco...

Welcome to podcast episode #100. I've never met anyone who has met Joshua Davis that has had anything bad so say about him. He's had a pretty special career since releasing his first record with the band Steppin' In It 25 years ago. A beloved member of the Michigan music community and a one time Top 3 contestant on The Voice, Josh has shifted to playing out less and making his living closer to his...

Ypsilanti, MI residents Rochelle Clark and Jason Dennie didn't have to go far to get to Grove Studios (7 minutes apparently), but their music will take you on journey somewhere south of there. Both have been making music for quite a long time. They originally met when Rochelle was taking guitar lessons from Jason at Herb David Guitar Studio. Eventually they found each other to be not just musical...

This one was a long time in the making. I'd been checking in with Tony Lucca on the occasions he would come back to his home state of Michigan for a show to see if he was available to join me for a chat. Two previous in studio sessions in Ann Arbor in 2010 and 2016 established a mutual respect for one another. When I first heard his music in 2010 on an album called Rendezvous with the Angels I had...

Detroit/Hamtramck, Michigan's Jackamo has been drawing comparisons to some of the best indie folk groups around since they began their journey many years ago. Sisters Alison and Tessa Weircioch handle the vocals and the talented Jimmy Showers does the guitar work. Together it is a rich, harmonious adventure in sound. Their first record is coming out soon and we talk about it, their lives and their...

Phoebe and Jacyln are talented sisters originally from Lake Orion, MI who've been making music together for over a decade. Their peers in the local music scene, including Jill Jack, have been helping to lift them up as they've continued to find their path and hone their craft over the years. Their third release, Temporary By Design , comes nine years after their debut covers record, Come What May...

Brooklyn based – Brooklyn MI that is – singer songwriter, contributor to the feeding of hungry people who prioritize organic produce, multi-instrumentalist, and all around good guy, Billy King joins me at Grove Studios for a chat about his new record, Chill. Learn a bit about the difference between the family farm he works on and the similarly named produce seller in the area, the Hollerfest Music...

I've been working at one of the premiere jazz stations in the country since the summer of 2022. In the spring of 2024 I was given a twice a week two hour radio program called The Song Break to program. I brought my existing knowledge of The Great American Songbook and the classic vocalists who are best known for interpreting it to the table. The other side of the equation is the modern day songboo...