Local Spins Sneak Peek: Seven Steps Up celebrates fifth anniversary

Gary and Michelle Hanks: co-owners of Seven Steps Up

By Matt Marn
Published by Local Spins

When Gary and Michelle Hanks opened Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake, they originally had no intention of using the venue as a listening space for live music.

But after five years of presenting their Pin Drop Concerts series, the duo continues to be smitten with the music, and eager to keep it all going.

"We only have two concepts for our Pin Drop Concert Series: to provide an amazing experience for the artist, and to provide an amazing experience for our guests," said co-owner Gary Hanks.

If you do both of those things, Michelle added, amazing and magical things happen.

"There has never been a show where that doesn't happen," she said. "People leave in tears, they are so moved. We are addicted."

Read the full article on Seven Steps Up at Local Spins!

Local Spins Sneak Peek: Loren Johnson Spotlight

Grand Haven singer/songwriter, Loren Johnson

By Matt Marn
Published by Local Spins

Hailing from a Coast Guard family, Loren Johnson was already accustomed to moving from city to city. When her family moved into their new home in Grand Haven, she had trouble at first being "the new kid" in a new school.

Everything had changed - again. Everything... except the guitar she brought along and her passion for songwriting.

Now, that songwriting is on display for all to see on her debut EP, "Sleepsick," officially released early this year. Johnson has been performing around the Grand Haven area with the support of her family and friends, as well as the community.

Read the full spotlight on Loren Johnson at Local Spins!

Local Spins venue spotlight sneak peek: Odd Side Ales

By Matt Marn
Full article published at Local Spins

One of the many businesses that call a renovated former piano factory home, Odd Side Ales in Grand Haven prides itself on being a little different.

From the brewery's title to the beer choices it serves, the hot spot puts a unique spin on everything it does, said Reid Warber, bar manager for Odd Side Ales.

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

Read the full Local Spins venue spotlight of Odd Side Ales!

Local group The Upper Strata releases new album, new sound for their new chapter - YabYum Music and Arts Sneak Peek

By Matt Marn

Published by YabYum Music and Arts

For years, Jonathan Sanchez and Regula Sanchez-Schmid of The Upper Strata have been devoted to not only the music they play, but the stories the music tells. And their newest release, Cabaret Wartaire, is still another prime example of an album devoted to the message behind the music. In recording the album, the group has created something all their own - purely for love of creating art for art's sake.

Jonathan Sanchez, guitarist and lead vocalist for The Upper Strata, called Cabaret Wartaire a genre-smashing journey: "accordion meets hip-hop, blues meets crunk, electronica and alternative sounds blended with old-world Kurt Weill theatrics." And while those mixtures may sound in conflict with each other, they blend well, in altogether new ways.

And that was kind of the idea to the message, too.

Read more about The Upper Strata and their new album at YabYum Music and Arts!

Four Chambers presents "Welcome Home" - YabYum Sneak Peek

By Matt Marn

Published by YabYum Music and Arts

Four Chambers Press is ready to launch their latest collection of works, assembled from an open call to writers in the community. "Welcome Home: Poetry and Prose for Welcome Hospitality" will serve as the launch event for the publication this Saturday, October 3, at Welcome Diner on Roosevelt Street in Phoenix.

Welcome Diner will not only be the venue for the publication's launch event, but it is the subject of the works inside. Four Chambers' founder and editor-in-chief Jake Friedman said Welcome Diner is a beloved staple in the Phoenix community, and has become a point of pride for people living in the area.

"The goals of the Welcome Diner and Four Chambers are closely related, using culture and space as a way to relate people to each other," Friedman said. "We decided to do something for Welcome - we felt very strongly, it turned out to be very rich, both in meaning and material. We hope the works encourage people to see Welcome in a different way, but also their sense of place - their sense of home."

See the rest of the article at YabYum Music and Arts!

Gary Clark, Jr. and Foo Fighters light up the night at Ak-Chin Friday - AZCulture.com Sneak Peek

By Matt Marn

Published by AZCulture.com

Fans were crowding the gates far in advance, even lining up in their cars before the gates to the parking lot opened. Once they did, the fans swarmed in as one, ready for this show featuring Gary Clark, Jr. and the Foo Fighters - many already wearing swag from prior tours. More will join them shortly from the merch table.

The shirts, posters, and albums for sale quickly paint the picture: the Foo Fighters have been through it all over the years. From traveling halfway around the world to revisiting their hometown, these men have spent more than 20 years capturing hearts the world over.

There was even a T-shirt featured at the merch table featuring the phrase, "The Break a Leg Tour." Truly, no one makes falling and breaking your leg mid-concert look cooler than Dave Grohl.

The sun continued to set as fans continued to pour in. Lawn seats in the back filled up quickly, with the audience crowding each other to get the best view of their beloved Foo Fighters. The sun set, the house lights took over, and the cheering grew louder. Spotlights trained onto the stage - first left, then right, then center, and finally, lighting up the entire stage. The crowd cheered again, ready to take the evening's end-of-summer heat to a whole new level. Even I can't help but smile. Here we go.

Read the rest of the article at AZCulture.com!

Vintage Trouble's new album, "1 Hopeful Road," keeps energy moving with every note - AZCulture.com Sneak Peek

Vintage Trouble's new album, 1 Hopeful Road

By Matt Marn

Published by AZCulture.com

From the moment I hit 'play' on the debut album for the R&B group Vintage Trouble, I was blown away by their high-energy mix of great tempos, overdriven guitar riffs, and soulful vocals. And since I have heard their newest album, 1 Hopeful Road, I still feel that same excitement for the music.

And clearly, so does the band.

From the first notes on track one, starting the song with a snappy beat-clap, beat-clap tempo, drummer Richard Danielson helps make it very clear their spirits haven't changed a bit. The first song on the album, "Run Like the River," is a first look into the album's energy, which will have every city they visit clapping along during every show on their tour.

Ty Taylor's call-and-response during the chorus may remind listeners of their gospel style, which they blend so smoothly with their bluesy, juke-joint rhythm and solos. And by the time the call-and-response chorus, carried along with the bass rhythms of Rick Barrio Dill, gives way to guitarist Nalle Colt's magic work on the strings, you have no doubt you are in for quite the party.

See the rest of the Vintage Trouble album review at AZCulture.com!