Metro Detroit Concerts: Film Premiere, Album Releases Mean Stacked Weekend for Local Music
CultureShift’s Jeff Milo runs down local concerts and shows to catch the weekend of Dec. 6th and 7th in southeast Michigan.
Welcome to “Milo Minute,” delivering all you need to find a local show or fest to attend this weekend in about 60 seconds, give or take. And we mean ‘local.’
Longtime Detroit music journalist Jeff Milo has been plugging ears into the Detroit scene for years with some prolific blogging, starting in the mid 00’s with Deep Cutz, and continuing with his new site and ongoing podcast, “Ideas Adrift.” Here, he gives us his rundown for what music to catch this weekend.
Click on the player above to hear WDET’s Jeff Milo talk about this weekend’s shows.
Friday, December 6
Carmel Liburdi album release at Trumbullplex
What: Carmel Liburdi is at the Trumbullplex for her new album “Yes, We’re Open.” She’s joined by Jack Oats, Emily Rose, and Maray Fuego.
Who’s playing: Liburdi is one of the most forthright and subtly poignant lyricists I’ve ever heard, and comes at subjects from unexpected angles, because she’s got an adventurous spirit, or a contemplative, daydream-like approach to difficult subject matter.
Sounds like: Here’s the lead single off her new album, “Hell’s Bathroom Floor.”
Earth Engine at Trixie’s Bar in Hamtramck
What: Earth Engine will be at Trixie’s in Hamtramck, Mich., supporting a Dayton, Ohio-based artist, Paige Beller. Ancient Language, a local post-rock ensemble will also be on the bill, as will DJ/producer Eddie Logix, spinning between sets.
Who’s playing: Earth Engine fuse space-rock and psychedelia to brassy, swaggering funk.
Sounds like: “Venus Rockefeller,” by Earth Engine.
Saturday, December 7
“Strong Arm” film premiere at UFO Factory
What: Local songwriter and filmmaker Anthony Moran is unveiling his new movie, “Strong Arm,” which is an unflinching character study and a tale of vengeance inspired by classic 70’s grindhouse fare. In the film, a soldier returns from Iraq suffering from PTSD and goes on a relentless tear to avenge the murder of his sister.
Who’s playing: Moran is a local musician who leads the group Friends of Dennis Wilson, and he’s a star in the film, alongside another musician-actor, Robert Smith, of the band Dark Red. The soundtrack, also, features local artists.
Sounds like: Here’s the trailer for “Strong Arm.”
Sunday, December 8
Double album release party at the Loving Touch
What: This is quite a culturally, musically stacked program, with Jemmi Hazeman and the Honeyriders, pictured above, and Dan Amboy both releasing new albums.
Who’s playing: Hazeman and the Honeyriders create indelible and often funky, but spacey pop music that combines indie rock with a bit of dreamlike psychedelia. Anyone who’s into Tame Impala or Unknown Mortal Orchestra would fall in love with this group. Meanwhile, Dan Amboy, coming from Lansing, is a poetic lyricist who falls somewhere between Aesop Rock and Gucci Mane.
You also have Quells, a solo project of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Adam Fitzgerald, combining ambient indie folk, pop and shoegaze. He’s back in Michigan, up in Traverse now, after a year living abroad. Also in that hip-hop realm, on this lineup, is the artist known as COMIC. But there’s more, Pauly M. Everett has an art exhibition there, there’s also art on display from the Gallery Society and food from Monster Foods.
Sounds like: “Lazyeyez” is the name of Dan Amboy’s new track.
