While the duo no longer needs any introduction in the Grand Rapids hip-hop scene, ConvoTronics wants its new album, IllKillSchematics, to serve as something of a reintroduction. The group has reduced in size from when MC Cory Harris started the crew nearly a decade ago, but that doesn’t mean its retro-futuristic sound has stopped expanding.

In the mystical, musical universe of Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers, everyone is invited to the interplanetary dance party.

Funk has been making a significant comeback thanks to modern bands that are helping to propel its popularity. One such group, Turkuaz, has been a major player in the genre’s resurgence. This nine-piece ensemble out of Brooklyn enjoys a dedicated national following with its relentless touring schedule and aggressive, yet accessible songs.

In the fleeting world of music, Dawes believes there’s only one guarantee: We’re all gonna die. 

That might sound awfully dark or even outright bleak, especially for a chilled-out folk-rock record released in these trying times. But for Los Angeles band Dawes, it’s a beautifully communal statement, capable of reassuring us that we’re all the same. That’s why the band titled its latest LP, We’re All Gonna Die. 

Alt-rock, noise-pop legends the Pixies are officially slated to perform at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids on Oct. 7 this year.

• Breaking News
• Grand Rapids
• Pixies
• Mitski
• 20 Monroe Live
• Van Morrison
• Korn

The International Chopin Piano Competition has launched the careers of many internationally-renowned artists.

As a college dropout, the irony of performing on a campus isn’t lost on Cloud Nothings vocalist/guitarist Dylan Baldi.

The 25-year-old musician only spent two months at Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University, where he majored in music and audio recording technology, before starting Cloud Nothings in his parents’ basement at age 18.

Music soon became his escape — both from college and Cleveland — as the tracks he created at home on Garageband generated buzz via MySpace back in 2009, when it was still capable of breaking bands into the indie-rock blogosphere.

The story behind 20 Monroe Live, Grand Rapids' newest music venue, which opens on Feb. 1 and will host The Flaming Lips in April. “I don’t have to beg people to come to Grand Rapids anymore," said Josh Newman, promoter and talent buyer for Live Nation.

A packed crowd greeted the Spektral Quartet on Sunday as the four musicians took their seats and Grand Rapids Art Museum staff members set up extra chairs for a handful of stragglers. Violist Doyle Armbrust began by introducing his colleagues, including violinist Maeve Feinberg in her first public appearance with the group. Armbrust also took a moment to note that Spektral’s latest album, Serious Business, received a Grammy nomination last month.

Tim Fain’s violin is going to turn 300 next year, but he doesn’t let that hinder his innovative spirit.Whether he’s collaborating with Google on a virtual reality music video or performing in Academy Award-winning films, Fain exhibits a trademark mix of talent, charisma and inventiveness.