What is the Northern Michigan Sound?

Sept. 2, 2016

JEFF HAAS

“I think the sound is what emanates from the bands that infuse their music with the flavor of the city they live in. I’d say it’s a small town meets urban vibe, a really sincere kind of sound.”

SAM PORTER

“Undefined, maybe — and that’s okay. It’s a young melting pot of Michigan roots meeting independent art forms. Jazz and blues and folk are grandparents to the current tourism-driven pop that seems to rule the airwaves.”

BRIAN CHAMBERLAIN

“From my perspective, it seems like Traverse City is almost becoming a mini Nashville. Every night, you walk down Front Street, and you witness live music permeating though nearly every door. I’d say it’s a big ol’ pot of acoustic soup, with many rock elements thrown in.”

MARTY SCOTT

“I’ve tried to answer that question many times — I think our local music is too diverse to be identified as a sound like Motown or Nashville. If there is a sound, it’s based more on our enthusiasm, lifestyle, and relationship with nature; it encompasses a wide range of musical styles.”

ROBIN LEE BERRY

“It’s the sound of the earth in a deep, deep well — and we are rocks in the water.”

DON JULIN

“People have asked me about Traverse City and ‘what is in the water.’ I don’t know what the sound is, but I think WNMC and Eric Hines are a big part of it, as they’ve supported the music of genres from here to Africa since the ’80s.”

JANICE KEEGAN

“I don’t think we have a sound — we have an immensely diverse selection of music being performed in the region. So no single style, genre or tradition defines us.”

SEAMUS SHINNERS

“It’s more of a recipe: Start with a base of folk music, add some Americana, harmonies, a touch of classical with an edge, some jazz stylings, a bit of musical spice and flair, and finally the vocal seasonings of one of our local vocalists. Put these all together and let them do a musical simmer.”