Kristi Kates | Author

The Sword – Used Future – Razor and Tie

April 14, 2018

The Sword’s latest — its sixth — is a bizarre juxtaposition of futuristic art rock and ’70s hippie-rock, with both genres not quite able to communicate with the other. While tracks like “Intermezzo” and “Nocturne” show a glimpse of intriguin... Read More >>

Men, Meet ThE DroogS

April 14, 2018

MEET THE BAND
Self-described “laid-back Midwestern dudes” ThE DroogS began when drummer Jeff Houser arrived in Traverse City from Los Angeles. Upon arriving, “I immediately posted that I was looking to start a fun Ramones/Core-style band,” Ho... Read More >>

Be Like Bond

April 14, 2018

GQ (Gentleman’s Quarterly), The Financial Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal. What do they all have in common? They’ve all recently championed the resurgence in popularity of bespoke and made-to-measure suits for men — those high-end ensembles tradition... Read More >>

The Benevolent Compost King … and his loyal subjects

April 7, 2018

They say that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
        
In the case of David Zaiss, Lily Culver, and the Interotten Community Compost program, that trash is turned into something that will grow into treasure all on... Read More >>

Flower Power!

April 7, 2018

Grand Traverse flower fans know Derek Woodruff well. His Traverse City business, Floral Underground, is well-known for its gorgeous floral arrangements, and for Woodruff’s propensity to settle for nothing less than the best.

While Woodruff regularly competes in more modes... Read More >>

Parquet Courts – Wide Awake! – Rough Trade

April 7, 2018

The 13-track follow-up to its 2017 Milano teaming with Karen O and Daniele Luppi, Parquet Courts’ latest brings in yet another collaborator, this time in the form of the legendary Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton). First single “Almost Had to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience... Read More >>

The Cantina

March 31, 2018

Evan Chappuies’ evolution through the local restaurant industry started early.
        
As in, really early.
        
“I started working in restaurants when I was 14,”... Read More >>

Stiggs’ Roasted Garlic Dip

March 31, 2018

Back in the late 1800s, it was the White Timber Logging Company. In the early 1900s, it served as an office for the railroads coming in to northern Michigan.
        
Today, the vintage building — with much of its original floorin... Read More >>

Donna the Buffalo Headlining Buttermilk

March 31, 2018

The 2018 Buttermilk Jamboree is just a couple of months away — good news for roots music fans who especially enjoy this family friendly music festival that’s held every spring just south of Grand Rapids. Headlining Buttermilk this year is Donna the Buffalo, th... Read More >>

Pianos Become the Teeth – Wait for Love – Epitaph

March 31, 2018

 

Full of all the profundity and emotion that fans regularly anticipate from PBTT, this latest album continues along the same conduit the band has been following for a while — that of refining its sound. On this set, the move is best expressed through audio choices on t... Read More >>

There’s No “I” in Team! (And GT Social Sports has a problem with that.)

March 24, 2018

Once you leave the organized environs of high school or college, joining a sports team can be tough. Usually you have to assemble an entire team before you can play. Sometimes you have to assemble a couple teams, so you have people to play against. And almost always, it’s expected y... Read More >>

Scotland’s Chvrches Make An Enemy

March 24, 2018

Scottish synthesizer-popster band Chvrches (pictured) is set to release its third album this spring, sticking with Glassnote Records for its latest collection of tracks, Love is Dead, on May 25. The band produced the set along with Grammy winner Greg... Read More >>

Brian Fallon – Sleepwalkers - Island

March 24, 2018

Best known as the frontman of Gaslight Anthem, Fallon (pictured) takes this solo effort and turns it into a real vehicle for his intense, distinctive vocals and Americana flair. This is his second album on his own, and while the first was pretty impressive, this one is even more so. He pu... Read More >>

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy Coming to Michigan

March 17, 2018

In a major musical coup, northern Michigan’s inaugural Camp Greensky Music Festival, helmed by the members of local favorite band Greensky Bluegrass, have snagged Jeff Tweedy, frontman of Wilco, for their very first two-stage festiv... Read More >>

Four Mini Road Trips

March 17, 2018

Longing to get the heck out of Dodge, but don’t feel like venturing too far away? Check out these easy-to-get-to destinations. Each are a sweet six-hour drive — or less — from northern Michigan but promise plenty of spring break fun for you and your family.

Read More >>

You Gotta Have Art (And Time and Support)

March 17, 2018

Who isn’t inspired by a little time Up North? For decades, artists have been flocking to northern Michigan to lose themselves in its sublime beauty, slower pace, and appreciative audiences. As evident by the ever-increasing numbers of galleries, art walks, installations, and cultura... Read More >>

Helping Haiti

March 12, 2018

The list of what’s wrong in Haiti is a lengthy and discouraging one. It’s been eight years since Haiti was hit with a major earthquake. And over one year since Hurricane Matthew took hundreds of lives and devastated much of the country, especially the southern portion.
... Read More >>

Beyond Green Beer


March 10, 2018

Looking for some St. Patrick’s Day activities that don’t necessarily involve green beer? Here’s what’s happening around the North.

(Note: All events take place Saturday, March 17, unless otherwise noted.)

ST. PATRICK’S DAY... Read More >>

The Breeders – All Nerve – 4AD

March 10, 2018

The Breeders might have reunited back in 2013, but did we get any new music from the band then? Nope. That’s why this new collection of tracks — the first in 10 years — is such a boon for Breeders fans now. The band taps back into its vintage ’90s sound, including ... Read More >>

Mars Bringing His Magic Back to Detroit

March 10, 2018

Bruno Mars (pictured) has just added yet another leg to his already-huge 24K Magic world tour; the new dates will start with a two-night run in Denver, Colorado, Sept. 7 and 8, with much of the newly confirmed schedule including two-night stands in m... Read More >>