AlexisGenre: Electro/Pop
Sounds Like: Hot Chip, Duran Duran
Website: http://www.musicofalexis.com
Key Track: "Need Your Love"
Not too long ago, Alexis came into living rooms across West Michigan on the local program "eightWest." The duo, consisting of Matthew Forbush (vocals) and Dan Hurst (synth), created lots of buzz after its eclectic electro/pop performance. Viewers either embraced them or were confused when mid-song, the well-coiffed Forbush broke out into bicycle dance. Since that performance, Alexis, which recently released goldstar EP, has been one of this year's most-buzzed-about West Michigan bands — a combination of the duo's infectious electro/pop songs and Forbush's unpredictable stage presence. Photo: Dante Alighire
BangupsGenre: Garage Rock
Sounds Like: The Black Keys, The Dead Weather
Website: http://www.thebangups.com
Key Track: "Sunburnt Love"
Bangups is just the right type of band to sing about a lost summer of love with "sweet little Janie" (à la "Sunburnt Love") - its driving, dynamic, swingy-blues rock sound and raw vocals are appealingly gritty. The band's take-charge guitar twang and energetic drums complete the bangarang Bangups experience. Some of the band's recent shows have been at Mulligan's Other Side and The Pyramid Scheme. Be sure to check the duo out when it's in town, since the Bangups are known to leave town — such as the band did when it played South By Southwest this year.
Seth Bernard and May ErlewineGenre: Folk
Sounds Like: The Weepies, She & Him
Website: sethandmay.com
Key Track: "Shine On"
It's inaccurate to say that Seth Bernard and May Erlewine write songs. It would, however, be accurate to say that they breathe soul-infused poetry and give their songs a folksy, understated life that few musicians can. Their music is at once playful and contemplative, giving it a distinct multilayered quality. The duo, who are also engaged to be married, recently traveled to Africa this winter to participate in Run Across Ethiopia. The organization helps to raise money for Ethiopian education and Seth and May provided live music as the background for the event. Photo: Michael Erlewine
The WildfireGenre: Rock
Sounds Like: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Key Track: "Michigan Woman"
Like a lone voice echoing out of a bygone era, The Wildfire wouldn't sound too out of place on a classic rock station. The distortion-heavy guitar riffs and growling lead vocals lend The Wildfire a stadium-rock swagger seemingly transported from the '70s. Established in late 2005, the band features Nathan Kalish, Julio Gomez, Matt Ten Clay, Skye Thrasher and Justin Vanhaven. With three albums under their belts, the guys of The Wildfire hit their stride on 2009's Waterbirds. For the music lover who is convinced that there hasn't been a good album made after 1980, Nathan Kalish and the Wildfire just might move them forward by taking them back.
Brie StonerGenre: Acoustic Rock
Sounds Like: Brandi Carlile, Indigo Girls
Key Track: "Delicate Hour"
If you watched the most recent Grammys or Oscars, then chances are you heard Brie Stoner's smooth, soothing plea, "Don't Fence Me In," on a Nokia commercial. She recorded the Cole Porter cover with her friend, the Detroit-based Daniel. Before diving into the commercial realm, Stoner released Delicate Hour EP and Feliz Navidad EP in fall and winter 2010. Her calming voice glides effortlessly over her soulful lyrics, and her live performances are as passionate and honest as every word she writes. Currently, she is working on a full-length album.
The Brave YouthGenre: Garage Rock
Sounds Like: Jet, The Strokes
Key Track: "LARP"
For those of you already concerned about The Strokes' next hiatus, The Brave Youth can provide a local fix for your jones. Offering simple, guitar-driven anthems powered by lyrics about existential teen angst, The Brave Youth is making music for the next generation of angry teenagers. The five-man ensemble's mix of propulsive garage rock and evocative lyrics make it sound more polished than its one year together would lead you to believe was possible. Like any good garage rock band, its members are just a little bit nerdy, too. Photo: Josh Tyron
SuperDreGenre: Electronic
Sounds Like:
Website: djsuperdre.com
Key Track: "Get 'Em Up"
As of now, it's easy to watch SuperDre. The DJ and producer - who is known for her hair almost as much as her beats - is all over Michigan headlining and opening gigs at places like Billy's Lounge, Mac's Bar, The Intersection and Electric Forest Festival. This won't last for long, however. As electronic music is growing, Dre's in demand. She frequently performs out-of-town shows, with this month taking her to Colorado. So see her now while she's in Michigan or follow the fro elsewhere.
StepdadGenre: Electro Pop
Sounds Like: Passion Pit, The Postal Service
Key Track: "My Leather, My Fur, My Nails"
From the collaboration of two Chicago apartment mates, Stepdad is a trio of guys who relocated to Grand Rapids in 2010 and are set to release their first full length, Wildlife Pop, in 2011. The group's style is a fusion of indie and new wave vocals with electronic pop instrumentals, carried along by zany humor reminiscent of Dan Deacon, with frontman Ultramark often adorned in memorable articles such as a brown fur cloak or shiny silver pants on stage. The synth-driven beats of Stepdad can lead people into an emotive freak-dance pit or make the most stiff-legged appreciate its musical genuineness as an unsigned group that may garner lots of attention after Wildlife Pop drops. Photo: Ryan Pavlovich
Paucity Genre: Instrumental Rock
Sounds Like: Air, Four Tet
Key Track: "Funnel Web"
Without a vocalist to hook listeners with catchy lyrics, Paucity is proving that an identity can still be shaped and reconfigured with instrumental music. Its sophomore LP of 2009, Deer Bird Bear Ship, features the return of original members who helped start the experimental mellow-rock band. Specializing in a moody ambiance tweaked with formulated and purposed musical shifts, its music, created under a single moniker, can embrace ears with diverse floods of thought and rhythmic signatures while maintaining modesty and simplicity. Playing at GR's Festival of the Arts and the main stage of Val-Du-Lake's SoundFest, Paucity is ready for its dynamic tones to reach out to many people.
Kari Lynch GENRE: Country/Pop
SOUNDS LIKE: Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson
KEY TRACK: "Gettin' Gone"
Country music creates an image in the listener's head-one of porch swings and gravel roads. The tracks penned by Kari Lynch are no exception. With the help of her band, Lynch released a self-titled EP, in May, with five original songs that showcase her talent. Lynch's strong voice skims over vocal embellishments like a well-tossed skipping-stone on songs like "I Never Liked You Anyway" and "Me and a Bottle of Wine," are a tribute to the tongue-in-cheek aspect of the genre. The standout, however, is "Gettin' Gone," which epitomizes another standard of country music — hard work. Photo: Earthtones
List compiled and written by Robby Hartley, Meaghan Igel, Mallory McKnight, Lindsay Patton-Carson, Scotty Vernon
Hear tracks from many of these bands on the West Michigan Music Sampler.
For more of the best in local music, check out the rest of The Music Issue!
