Summer fun starts early this month with the Local First Street Party. Presented by Founders Brewing Co., the free, all-things-local event takes place June 4 outside of Bistro Bella Vita (44 Grandville Ave.) Absolutely stacked with local musical talent, it runs from 3 p.m. to midnight with performances by the Triumph Music Academy, Joshua Davis, The Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza, Lady Ace Boogie, Chris Bathgate, Tunde Olaniran and The Crane Wives.
Kalamazoo roots-music veterans The Red Sea Pedestrians releases its new LP, See Through the Eyes of Osiris, June 25 at Bell’s Eccentric Café (355 E. Kalamazoo Ave.) The album is the instrument-swapping band’s fourth full-length of genre-melding world music. The group’s last two LPs, 2010’s Adrift and 2011’s The Electromagnetic Escape, won back-to-back Jammy Awards for Best Roots Album. The band recorded the 11-song disc at La Luna Recording and Sound, a Kalamazoo studio operated by their own multi-instrumentalist, Ian Gorman.
Grand Rapids band Silverstiles releases its debut LP, A Long Time to Be Gone, June 25 at the new location of The DAAC (333 Rumsey St. SW). The self-described “California-country meets rust belt-rock” group recorded at Goon Lagoon in Grand Rapids. Also performing at the June 25 show is Grand Rapids punk-rockers Murder Party and one-man-band Stovepipe Stover.
Rising hip-hop producer The SEVENth hosts a release party for his newest EP, Weekend Sin, June 10 at The Pyramid Scheme (68 Commerce Ave. SW). Opening the show are B Sykes, DJs Savon, Omega Supreme and Mr. Fables. Also at The Pyramid Scheme this month, Triple R Entertainment presents a June 30 tribute to rapper Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest, who died earlier this year. The tribute features music by DJ Providence, DJ ILL ONE, Lamar Supreme, Sincere + Peazy, 61Syx Teknique, B Sykes, DJ Choppy Blades and Bedrock.
Western Michigan University student-run radio station 89.1 WIDR-FM sponsors WIDRAMA at Louie’s Back Room (629 Walbridge St.). The June 11 concert brings in Boston art-rockers Bent Knee and features Kalamazoo-based bands Less Is More and Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts as openers. Also at Louie’s, legendary Midland-based heavy duo Beast in the Field plays one of their final four shows before disbanding. The pair hits Louie’s June 9 before playing their final show June 11 in Bay City.
Fresh from recording new music in the studio earlier this spring, Grand Rapids country favorites Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys performs as part of this year’s massive B-93 Birthday Bash on June 19 at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin. The five-piece fronted by farmer-turned-rocker Gunnar Nyblad hits the road all summer, including an opening slot for superstar Brad Paisley on July 31 at the DTE Energy Music Theater in Clarkston. The band also returns to West Michigan on July 14 for the Rebel Road Motorcycle Rally, benefitting the Child Abuse Council of Muskegon.
Grand Rapids Americana outfit Nicholas James & the Bandwagon will release their new LP Tall, Tall Tales June 25 at Founders Taproom.
