Just Great Music at the TCFF

July 16, 2015

The theme of this year's Traverse City Film Festival is "Just Great Movies," and that could easily apply to this year's music lineup, as well.

With films including everything from documentaries to rockumentaries, dramas to comedies to experimental cinema, there's a visual niche for everyone – and thanks to the hard work of Music Director Mike Sullivan and his team, there's probably an audio match, as well. Here are a few of the highlights.

TAKE IT FROM THE TOP

This year's headlining acts, each performing for one festival night in the 8:30pm slot, are a diverse group indeed. While Friday's show is still being decided as of press time, Tuesday will start the week off with a bang with the Nashville tunes of Paulina Jayne, the urban country singer who's opened for everyone from Sheryl Crow and Kellie Pickler to Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley.

Mid-week brings polar opposites: the cello sounds of Crispin Campbell on Wednesday and the spins of DJ Heady on Thursday.

By the weekend, rock will gain a solid foothold with featured performances from TC native and Kid Rock sideman Kenny Olson on Saturday and Brooklyn, NY, buzz duo The Bergamot, and their radio-friendly folkrock sound, on Sunday night.

BUBBLING UNDER

Showcasing edgy filmmaking is one aspect of the TCFF and introducing film fest audiences to new and international music is another.

Some of this year's emerging musical artists include Motown prodigy Sofi K, Celtic group Termon, and up and coming Vermont singer-songwriter Hailey Ward.

Two to keep an eye on in particular are pop/jazz/folk fusion singer Olivia Millerschin, who's already toured with Howie Day, Tyler Hilton and Ryan Cabrera, and the new buzz band from Grand Rapids, Corvids, that blends '90s garage rock with female vocals.

Traveling back to the fest from even farther away are Interlochen graduate turned NYC underground sensation Sapphire Adizes and returning international singer Milagros from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OLD FAVORITES

It wouldn't be the TCFF without some favorite local performers. Dawn Campbell, Laurie Sears, Janice Keegan, Steve Stargardt, TC folk rocker Levi Britton, soulful singer Blake Elliott, duo The Swan Brothers, O Brother Big Sister, TC's "dark ukulele band" Saldaje, and the Grand Traverse Show Choir are all on the schedule.

Returning to the fest from elsewhere in Michigan are frequent Up North performers Awesome Distraction, the Manistee band that’s opened for "The Voice" contestant Ryan Whyte Maloney; mid-Michigan singer-songwriter Brett Mitchell; and TC acoustic classic rock singer Big Rand.

For a complete schedule of music at the Traverse City Film Festival, visit the fest's official site: traversecityfilmfest.org/music