Right from the start, the skyrocketing success of indie-rock outfit Rainbow Kitten Surprise has come as a shock to drummer Jess Haney. While attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, Haney was only supposed to join the band for just one show way back at the beginning in 2014.

When Blake Bickel moved to Kalamazoo after living in Seattle for over a decade, he had no idea his new basement band, Bronson Arm, would break out and tour across the country.

Behind the astute songwriting of Iron & Wine is Sam Beam, a multi-disciplinary artist from South Carolina. As a five-time GRAMMY nominee, it’s no surprise that Beam’s imaginative demeanor first appeared in childhood. “I was the kid in the back of the class drawing, not paying attention in school,” Beam said.

The personal and prolific project of Canadian singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman, The Weather Station broke through in 2021 with the release of her sixth studio album, Ignorance. A critically-acclaimed masterwork confronting the grief and anguish of the climate crisis, the album landed on countless year-end lists, from The New Yorker to Pitchfork, Rolling Stone to The Guardian.

The sudden success of singer-songwriter Marc Scibilia might seem like an overnight sensation. But the Buffalo-bred, now Nashville-based musician worked for years, toiling away in the industry, before his song “More To This” became a viral hit late last year.

The story behind the name of local indie rock trio Ten Peso Version is absolutely priceless.

The biggest night of the year for West Michigan Music returns when the Jammies take over all three stages at The Intersection Feb. 28. The annual celebration of all things local music, and fundraiser for Grand Rapids community radio station WYCE 88.1 FM, the Jammies put the spotlight on rising stars and legendary talent right here in West Michigan with an evening packed full of performances.

Over two years, thousands of miles, and countless Zoom calls in the making, Grand Rapids rock band Finding Amelia released their debut album, Onwards and Upwards, on New Year’s Eve.

Each and every year, West Michigan launches yet another massively talented artist into undisputed stardom. Going back to the glory days of 90’s hit-makers The Verve Pipe and Mustard Plug, to the chart-topping success of Pop Evil, and most recently, Grammy-winner Billy Strings, our side of the state more than holds its own with an abundance of music demanding attention.

Blake Evaristo is breathing new life into pop-punk with Action/Adventure, a Chicago-based five-piece band.