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.

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

    1D AGO

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

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

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

    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. GIG Founders, Chuck and Brenda Marshall, Are Highlighting Art, Photography, and More in Michigan Music

    JAN 8

    GIG Founders, Chuck and Brenda Marshall, Are Highlighting Art, Photography, and More in Michigan Music

    Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations from the people making the Michigan music ecosystem thrive.GIG - Art of Michigan Music Event Founders Chuck and Brenda Marshall talk to us about how the origin of the event and the importance of highlighting these artists. Their own crafts of writing and photography lead us to conversations about their other adventures in music and Michigan through their own online magazine and podcast Life in Michigan and podcast Fans with Bands. Listen to hear what great stories they have to share along with the start of our series on GIG event we attended in late 2025.

    23 min
  6. That is a Wrap 2025 | Michigan Music Recap

    JAN 1

    That is a Wrap 2025 | Michigan Music Recap

    Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations about the Michigan music scene. In this episode, Jeff and Ryan recap their year of the podcast and the Michigan music news. They talk about some of the interviews they had with musicians such as Mike Ward, Spencer LaJoye, Rebekah Jon, Kylee Phillips, Chris DuPont, and Kyle Joe. They talk about the venues that closed and opened or will open soon, such as Acrisure Amphitheater, The Big Room, and Kalamazoo State Theater. Of course, they discuss some of highlights in live music they experienced in the past year. Finally, they touch on what is in store for the podcast in 2026.

    37 min
  7. Empress Eyes: Dream Pop with Fairy Wings and Some Witchy Stuff

    12/18/2025

    Empress Eyes: Dream Pop with Fairy Wings and Some Witchy Stuff

    Welcome to Mitten Music, where we bring you authentic conversations. This episode features a relaxed interview with dream pop musician, ⁠Empress Eyes⁠. We had the opportunity to talk to her about on the day she released new music on her latest EP, Press Reverse. We learned more about her lyric writing and why she wears those fairy wings in live performances. She noted new music coming in January with collaboration with Arden from ⁠Ethereal⁠. The conversation veered down an unexpected turn as she discussed how her witchy ways are influencing her recent songwriting. Take a listen to hear more about this dream pop musician from Grand Rapids, MI.

    38 min
  8. Ken Freestone and Dave Purnell Bring You Ukulele, Guitar, AV and more

    12/04/2025

    Ken Freestone and Dave Purnell Bring You Ukulele, Guitar, AV and more

    In our episode today, we talk with good friends Ken Freestone (UKEn) and David Purnell from West Michigan. Ken began playing ukulele at the age of 61. He has built a lot of connections, like he does with all things he is involved in, with folks across the world due to this late life skill. Dave is a guitar teacher who provided some early lessons on the ukulele. Dave also talks about his love of audio and video which drove him to start his own company DP Creative Audio and Video. The pair share a lot of great stories and the many experiences they are a part of in West Michigan. It is a fantastic conversation with two guys enjoying life.

    49 min
See All (111)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Mitten Music
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mitten Music
  • Show Website
    Mitten Music