Mitten Music

Mitten Music

5.0 (6)
MUSIC

Discovering what goes into making the local music scene possible in the great state of Michigan. Episodes include interviews with local bands/artists, industry experts, venues, recording studios, and anything else that contributes to the success of music in the Mitten state. In addition, each episode will wrap up with a few songs from artists highlighted in our discussion.

1D AGO

What’s Next for Haskins? New Music, Live Shows & Detroit Stories

Haskins returns to the show for the first time in two years to talk about new music, their plans for Volume V, and what life looks like for an indie rock band juggling families, day jobs, and late‑night rehearsals. The band shares updates on their upcoming studio sessions, how they approach recording, and why some venues are getting harder to find — especially on Michigan’s west side. We also get a fun behind‑the‑scenes look at show prep, gear‑sharing between bands, their annual Christmas video tradition, and the subtle album‑naming Easter eggs fans may have missed. Recorded ahead of their performance at the Oddfellow Concert Lounge, this episode captures the humor, honesty, and creative energy that make Haskins a standout in the Michigan indie scene.

25 min
MAR 5

How a Zombie Crawl and a Love for Music Built The Oddfellow Concert Lounge

Unlock the inspiring story of Wyandotte’s The Odd Fellow Concert Lounge, where community, charity, and original music collide. When a small-town pub crawl raised over $1,600 for local nonprofits—and evolved into a hub for live, original acts—everything changed. Co-founders Brian Webb and Michael Balcom share their journey of transforming a historic building into a vibrant space that fuels local artists, supports charitable causes, and celebrates the power of music to bring people together. In this episode, you'll discover how a passion for original music sparked a movement—ranging from a zombie pub crawl to a thriving concert venue—funded entirely by community support and creative fundraising. Learn how they create unforgettable shows with collaborative lineups, from Americana and punk to indie and metal, all while helping community members in need. Whether you're a musician seeking a supportive venue, a community leader inspired to build legacy projects, or simply a lover of genuine live music, this episode offers a blueprint for impactful entrepreneurship rooted in passion and purpose. Perfect for artists, event organizers, and anyone dedicated to fostering local culture—this is your behind-the-scenes pass to a movement that proves music, charity, and community are the ultimate formula for lasting impact. Dive in and find out why the Odd Fellow Concert Lounge isn’t just a venue—it’s a movement to make the world a better place, one song at a time. Resources & Links Be Well My Friends FoundationThe Oddfellow Concert LoungeEd Cunnea - Signal Strength Audio

36 min
FEB 26

Songs in Boxes, Stories in Motion: The Journey of Lori & The Darlings

Singer‑songwriter Lori Keisler of Lori & The Darlings joins us for a heartfelt conversation about the unexpected spark that launched her band, the decades of songwriting she’s carried with her, and the emotional weight of performing original music.She shares how a chance online‑dating encounter during COVID led to the song “Chocolate Covered Blueberries,” which in turn inspired her to finally bring her long‑hidden catalog of songs to life. From growing up watching her father record demos on a four‑track, to performing in a family band, to taking a decade‑long hiatus to raise her kids, Lori walks us through the winding path that shaped her as an artist. We dive into her creative process, the band’s dynamic, the challenge of balancing life and music, and the excitement of their upcoming six‑song album. Recorded ahead of their final show of the year at the Oddfellow Concert Lounge, this episode captures Lori’s passion for storytelling, her love of love songs, and her mission to make sure her music doesn’t “collect dust in boxes” any longer.

20 min
FEB 19

Midnight Proof: From Cover Band, Groovin' Violation, to Rust Belt Americana Original Michigan Music

In this episode, we had the opportunity to chat with three members (Rob, Mike, and Steve) from the Rust Belt Americana band, Midnight Proof, prior to their show at The Oddfellow Concert Lounge. They share their journey from cover band, Groovin' Violation to 100% focus on original music. The cover band helped fund their start but now they are having a blast creating their own sound and don't want to turn back. We talk about their upcoming album, origin of their band name, and live performances. Listen in to hear a fun conversation with grown men loving this opportunity to play music with friends.

24 min
FEB 12

Aspiring Graphic Designers - Degrees, Tools, A.I., & Advice from Professor, Student, & Professionals

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations. In this episode, we enter the world of graphic design while we were onsite for the GIG - The Art of Michigan Music⁠⁠ event in November 2025. We spoke with Professor of Graphic Design at Jackson College, Christie Hughes, and one of her student's Jaylen Westbrook⁠⁠. They discuss the curriculum, tools, and the approach to the associate degree at Jackson College. Four professional graphic designers ( Carl Lundgren⁠, ⁠Dennis Preston⁠, ⁠Matthew Jacobson⁠, ⁠Jonathan Doyle⁠⁠) from concert posters to corporate design interject their experiences, advice, and passion for design. Of course, what would a conversation be today without the topic of artificial intelligence. Listen to hear their thoughts and outlook on this new tool or curse to the craft depending on how you look at it. Matthew Jacobson's Ignite Talk Ignite Talk • The Color of Money

52 min
FEB 5

Graphic Art in Music, Concert Posters, and a Dabble of Magic

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations. We had an in-depth conversation with five graphic artists (Carl Lundgren, Dennis Preston, Matthew Jacobson, Jonathan Doyle, and Jaylen Westbrook) that are involved in creating art for music at GIG - The Art of Michigan Music event in November of 2025. Most of the conversation focuses on concert posters but dabbles in a little magic, too. From 50+ year legends in the industry to an intern just getting started, there are plenty of stories and passion to go around. Listen to hear some great stories about posters from Billy Strings to Grateful Dead to Jack White. These artists created posters back in the day when letter art was grueling to the advancements with Adobe Photoshop.

54 min
JAN 22

Band Life Unfiltered: Carbon Decoy on Hangs, Venues, and What's Next

Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations. In this episode, we caught up with American garage psych, stoner, acid rock band, Carbon Decoy, from Michigan at the GIG - Art of Michigan Music event. Casey and Earl got us up to speed on what the band has been doing since we last talked to them in 2024. Earl covered how he balances being a dad a rock band. They discussed the after show "hangs" they had this past year with Glass Chimera, Levitator, Ficus, and Old Mountain Acid Test. Reminiscing about past hangs and stories from the green room at the Blind Pig when discussing Fuzz Fest in Ann Arbor. They also touched on the plans to create some new music in Casey's new home studio in the coming year. Join us for a conversation with a lot of laughs with the background sound of Paper Lanterns playing live in the background.

26 min
JAN 15

Brandon Nagy, Isabel Dowell, Nathan Purchase, and Terry Moore on Music Photography in Michigan

In this episode, we talked with four music photographers at GIG - Art of Michigan Music Event. Each of these individuals gave us a different angle on how they got started in taking photos of live music. From the photo pit to gear to their memorable moments, they show us through their lens what it is like to be a photographer in the Michigan music scene and beyond. Brandon Nagy is a photographer and designer. He has worked with iHeartMedia since 2009 and Shutterstock since 2017. Brandon does graphic design during the day and moonlight and spend weekends working as a photographer, usually covering music or other events.Isabel Dowell (she/her) is a Grand Rapids-based photographer specializing in live music, portrait, and film photography. Her dedication to photography has taken her on tour (Low Phase), to various music festivals (Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, Hinterland), and has made her a respected member of the live music community. She is known for being motivated by taking a random chance, whether it be sending late night emails or going above and beyond to get the perfect image. Nathan Purchase is a professional photographer, creative producer, and founder of Purchase Productions, based in Muskegon. A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Studio Art specializing in photography, Nathan has spent more than 15 years capturing the raw emotion and atmosphere of live music. His portfolio includes performances by acclaimed artists such as Tame Impala, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, Tash Sultana, and many others.Terry Moore is a local music photography under the name Trippin Terry Photography. His focus is on capturing life's raw energy, one frame at a time. Trippin Terry is dedicated to delivering high-energy, vibrant images that transport you to the heart of the action.

40 min

5

out of 5

6 Ratings

Awesome

11/04/2023

T.Scott54

Very cool podcast! Nice work

Discovering what goes into making the local music scene possible in the great state of Michigan. Episodes include interviews with local bands/artists, industry experts, venues, recording studios, and anything else that contributes to the success of music in the Mitten state. In addition, each episode will wrap up with a few songs from artists highlighted in our discussion.

Creator

Mitten Music
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

115
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Mitten Music
Show Website

Mitten Music