MI Local: Best of 2024 (so far) from Michigan’s music scene

On this episode of MI Local, I play two songs by nominees for WDET’s Sounds Like Detroit Contest, including Drey Skonie’s “Better Days” and Chris Lanard’s “Birds Eye View.”

I’ve been able to play all 10 finalists for this exciting contest in which our listeners have been voting for the top Detroit Tiny Desk Contest submissions. The winners will go on to perform at our special Sounds Like Detroit concert on Thursday, Aug. 15, at New Center Park.

Also on the show, I play two subtly dazzling and ethereal works of experimental electronica — blending ambient and trip-hop from local producers like Paris From Tokyo (“Blue Sedan”) and Matthew Daher (“Stations Direct”). Also, during this busy opening segment, I premiered a new track from indie-rockers The Go Rounds called “Cookie.”

For the rest of this episode, I play my favorite releases of the year so far — from artists based in metro Detroit and across the state of Michigan, including entries from two Kalamazoo-based artists, the indie-electronica Katy Needs A Life (“Big Boy”) and acoustic folk duo Payton&Annabelle (“Madeline”), along with a recent release from Ypsilanti-based indie rocker Premium Rat (“Feral Mermaid”).

I span a slew of unique genres, including a blend of noise-pop and hip-hop, with Stoop Lee’s “Dundee,” a Bjork-inspired experimental dance jam from Summer Like The Season (“Meet Me On The Internet”) and a more laid-back, surfy ballad from Quality Cinema Band (“After All”).

Listen to this week’s episode of MI Local for two weeks after it airs using the player at the top. Check out the playlist below.

MI Local Playlist for July 2, 2024

• “Better Days” – Drey Skonie
• “Birds Eye View” – Chris Lanard
• “Blue Sedan” – Paris From Tokyo
• “Stations Direct” – Matthew Daher
• “Cookie” – The Go Rounds
• “Jay Sound” – Don’t Funk Wit Me
• “Big Boy” – Katy Needs A Life
• “After All” – Quality Cinema Band
• “The Other Place” – Bandeau
• “Meet Me On The Internet” – Summer Like the Season
• “Madeline” – Patyon&Annabelle
• “Dundee” – Stoop Lee
• “Evil Heart” – Bluhm
• “Feral Mermaid” – Premium Rat
• “Maybe” – Tim Kish