Kristi Kates | Author

Oct. 13, 2018

Canadian bluesman James dug pretty deep for this collection, stretching his own songwriting abilities on several new originals, and also going well beyond clichés to point a spotlight at some much-lesser known blues covers by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf and Blind Willie Johnson... Read More >>

R.E.M. Get All Boxed Up

Oct. 13, 2018

The ’80s/’90s musical icons from Athens, Georgia, will release a big box set this week called R.E.M. at the BBC. Eight CDs and one DVD, the set will include a variety of live sessions that the band recorded for the BBC, plus a short stack of live concerts that the ban... Read More >>

Thrift-O-Rama!

Oct. 13, 2018

Thrift stores, consignment boutiques, and resale shops, while always useful, seem to cycle around as far as popularity or trendiness is concerned. Generally, in tough times, they thrive: There are more buyers looking for cheaper goods and more sellers hoping to offload what they have for ... Read More >>

Before & After: Home Refresh

Oct. 6, 2018

Increasing home prices and a limited inventory forcing you to stay put in your current, not-so-beloved home? Either you can learn to live with it, try a little DIY, or — the surest path to love — call in a local design pro to help you reimagine your space (or lack thereof). He... Read More >>

Harwood Gold’s Farm Style Catsup

Oct. 6, 2018

Back in the day, catsup — the OG recipes anyway — leaned on such diverse ingredients as egg whites, walnuts, oysters, and mushrooms, but most of those on the shelf today stick to far less imaginative basics: tomatoes, sugar, and corn syrup.
     &... Read More >>

Vampire Weekend Cruising Back with New Tunes

Oct. 6, 2018

Just in time for Halloween, the aptly-named Vampire Weekend has announced that its upcoming fourth album is done tracking and is now being mastered. Fans who followed the band to this past summer’s Lollapaloozafest in Chicago expected to hear some of the new tunes p... Read More >>

Adams, Oberst, Ward, Meet Up with Juliet

Sept. 29, 2018

It’s an indie-rock extravaganza — well, the soundtrack is, anyway. We’re talking about Juliet, Naked, the new romantic comedy movie based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name, out this week. The story is of a writer (Read More >>

Ghost Supper to Honor Ancestors

Sept. 29, 2018

When you hear the phrase “ghost supper” this time of year, the first thing that likely springs to mind is Halloween. 
        
But this warm and respectful event happening in Mackinaw City has nothing to do with Halloween... Read More >>

Interpol– Marauder – Matador

Sept. 29, 2018

Also a half-dozen albums in, New York’s Interpol is back from its trek upstate, where the band worked with Dave Fridmann to develop this collection, highly influenced by the soul-funk side of the musical spectrum, much at the suggestion of Fridmann himself. The swinging beats of the... Read More >>

A Road Map to Art and More on M-22

Sept. 29, 2018

The beauty of the M-22 Art 2 Art tour is simple but intriguing: Combine one autumn weekend, one of the most scenic routes in northern Michigan, and four galleries showcasing 40+ artists.

A kind of progressive gallery pop-up for leaf peepers, the inaugural M-22 Art 2 Art is the ... Read More >>

Fall Getaway Triple Play

Sept. 22, 2018

Whether you’re a bibliophile, a beer enthusiast, or a fan of the humble apple, the Little Traverse region and Charlevoix are the places to be in autumn. Craft a color tour to or from any of these events — M-119 and US-131 are rife with farms, forest, orchards, and outstanding ... Read More >>

Rebirth of a Resort

Sept. 22, 2018

The view across the lake hadn’t changed much since the old resort closed down. But for Janice and Scott Lampert, it was a constant reminder of possibility. The Lamperts, who revisioned and revitalized a vintage summer retreat into a newly welcoming northern Michigan destination, sai... Read More >>

The Jayhawks – Back Roads and Abandoned Motels – Sony

Sept. 22, 2018

“Abandoned” is an apt descriptor for this kinda new collection from The Jayhawks. It consists of the band’s own versions of tunes that were originally written for other artists. Familiar with The Dixie Chicks’ track “Everybody Knows”? That’s a Gar... Read More >>

Don't Protest This Album Release

Sept. 22, 2018

Protest music record label Appleseed Records has put together a huge compilation album celebrating its 21st anniversary, Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches. The set will exclusively feature Bruce Springsteen’s version of... Read More >>

Teenage Fanclub Loses the Love

Sept. 15, 2018

Teenage Fanclub has announced that its longtime bassist and vocalist Gerard Love will leave this fall, following the band’s Nov. 15 show at London’s Electric Ballroom. The band plans to carry on without Love for the rest of the tour, on w... Read More >>

Cadillac’s Up North Arts

Sept. 15, 2018

Something was missing in Cadillac.
        
At least, something was missing if you were the artistic type — or an appreciator of the fine arts.
        
So the Cadillac Arts Council... Read More >>