#Motown

PLAYING DETROITVirginia Violet and The Rays Modernize Motown with 'On the Fringe'

Born from a chance meeting in 2016, Virginia Violet and The Rays is the brainchild of musicians Virginia Nastase and Joe Myers. When the two met two years ago, the musical chemistry was incendiary. “We started cranking out songs like it was our last day on earth,” says Myers. Since then, the duo...

Sara Barron

PLAYING DETROITWhateverfest Brings Detroit's Disparate Music Scenes Together

When you think about music festivals, it’s easy to picture giant stages, overcrowded drink lines, and teenagers in various species of headwear. Whateverfest - an all-genre, all-ages DIY festival based in Detroit - is pretty much the opposite of that. Born from a “what if” conversation between...

Sara Barron

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PLAYING DETROITApril Releases Flaunt Detroit's Musical Depth

Instead of highlighting just one, I decided to choose a few of my favorites. From Virginia Violet and the Rays’ punchy “Modern Motown” to Tunde...

Sara Barron

PLAYING DETROITWill Sessions Tease New Album, Deluxe

The word “fusion” doesn’t begin to skim the surface of the rich and diverse stylings of Detroit’s hardest working band, Will Sessions. Not easily categorized, Will Sessions' influence spans decades and their accumulative sound swells with an authentically reimagined funk renaissance. Equal parts...

Jerilyn Jordan

PLAYING DETROIT the Mourning AfterMartha and The Vandellas "Dancing in the Street"

If you were like me, you likely stayed in bed this morning a little too long wanting nothing more than to wake up but without ever having to open your eyes.

Jerilyn Jordan

PLAYING DETROITMayer Hawthorne "Cosmic Love"

Detroit-adopted Ann Arborite and premier Motown revivalist, Mayer Hawthorne, returned this week with another funk infused groove, "Cosmic Love" from his fourth solo studio LP (his first in three years) due out this spring. If you’re unfamiliar, you might think Hawthorne is just another white boy...

Jerilyn Jordan