Nicolas Michaux Brings Peace of Mind for U.S. Debut
Adam Briggs Adam Briggs

Nicolas Michaux Brings Peace of Mind for U.S. Debut

Michaux, a Belgian singer-songwriter and music producer, received critical acclaim for his 2016 debut album À la vie, à la mort. He followed up that album with 2020’s Amour Colère and 2021’s Les Chutes. Michaux’s music deftly blends various musical traditions, influenced by such styles as French chanson, American singer-songwriters, rock, and more. His music features lyrics in both French and English.

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Fana Hues Makes the Valley of the Sun, even hotter!
Mike Bengoechea Mike Bengoechea

Fana Hues Makes the Valley of the Sun, even hotter!

Fana Hues made about 1500 new fans on a Saturday night in Phoenix, AZ. She was opening for Lucky Daye. She could have easily been the headliner as she made new fans with every note she sang. There's so much emotion in her voice and when she decides to get into it, that voice gets dirty and the crowd cheers even louder. Fana is an exceptional singer-songwriter renowned for her soulful and introspective music.

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Red Wanting Blue Kicks Off Tour on Michigan Road-Trip
Adam Briggs Adam Briggs

Red Wanting Blue Kicks Off Tour on Michigan Road-Trip

Midwest rockers Red Wanting Blue recently made a stop in Kalamazoo, Michigan as part of their Light It Up tour. The tour, which kicked off in June, came to Michigan for stops at Ferndale’s Magic Bag and Kalamazoo’s Bell’s Eccentric Cafe. The show at Bell’s was packed with loyal fans excited to see this exciting live act make another stop to the area.

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Nightly Makes Awaited Return to Michigan
Adam Briggs Adam Briggs

Nightly Makes Awaited Return to Michigan

Nightly, the Nashville-based alt-pop band made their long awaited return to Michigan in June. The band, who independently released their most recent album wear your heart out (2023), was joined by Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Low Phase and Columbus, Ohio-based Jady at Grewal Hall in Michigan’s capital city, Lansing.

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A Review Hail Your Highness’ Upcoming Single, ‘Dandelion’
Dylan Canzurlo Dylan Canzurlo

A Review Hail Your Highness’ Upcoming Single, ‘Dandelion’

A little pop rock, a little shoegaze, and a lot of energy. Dandelion is the latest release from Michigan sisters known by the alias 'Hail Your Highness'. The song features walls of distorted guitars and lively drums percolating through the fuzz like a recollection of bits and pieces of a fond memory. Impassioned vocals provide the right mix of angsty attitude and soaring emotional highs to bring the best elements of their predecessors, namely Paramore and My Bloody Valentine, into the 2020's.

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Artist Spotlight: Sixsun
Adam Briggs Adam Briggs

Artist Spotlight: Sixsun

Recently, my work day started like usual. Logging in to my computer and looking for some music to get me going. Nothing from my usual suspects of playlists sounded good, so I scrolled through until something caught my eye. Spotify recommended an EP by an artist called Sixsun. Intrigued, I fired up the playlist and began to work. However, I quickly found myself distracted by what I was hearing. The song “Spaceman,” the EPs titular track, caught me by surprise. I immediately shared the song on Instagram because I just wanted other people to hear the song.

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An Evening with Kitty Coen at The Basement
Lucas Hughes Lucas Hughes

An Evening with Kitty Coen at The Basement

Tucked away on 8th Avenue South in Nashville, TN sits a music venue hidden almost under the street it sits on. It’s almost hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for. With immediate parking for ten, and larger parking lots adjacent it, The Basement in Nashville is one of the most intimate venues around. I would guess the entrance foyer, stage/standing room and bar to be around 40’x20’. There is also a private area to the rear for artist’ staging. Seated at the front door, you’ll be asked to show tickets and ID’s prior to entering.

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A Conversation with Macedo
Mike Bengoechea Mike Bengoechea

A Conversation with Macedo

Ballad had the chance to sit down and chat with the wonderful and super creative Ladies of Macedo. Michelle and Melissa are twins with a nostalgic sound, inspired by their father who was also a musician. Macedo has a new single out June 27th “Optimistic” and the song and video are a nod to the past, with a very modern and unique fun sound. The ladies finished each other's sentences and thoughts so I'll credit both of them with the answers.

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Greta Van Fleet Get Homecoming Show
Adam Briggs Adam Briggs

Greta Van Fleet Get Homecoming Show

Standing to the side of the stage, waiting to shoot the first three songs, the music started. Not the hard rock that is normally associated with Greta Van Fleet, but an orchestral piece accompanied by a light show playfully dancing off of the large curtain that covered the stage. The music and lights continued to build until in a grand crescendo, the curtain dropped.

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Review: Liily EP by Liily
Adam Briggs Adam Briggs

Review: Liily EP by Liily

A week ago, alternative rock/post-punk/dance-punk band Liily released their much anticipated follow up to 2021’s TV or Not TV.

During Ballad Magazine’s recent interview with the band, they discussed how this new album was the result of mercilessly trying different techniques and the influence of several producers who gave them a new found energy. After one week of listening, I can honestly say that this album brings an entirely new energy that gives the band such a great sound while still feeling familiar. The energy feels raw and passionate. It seems to have taken the energy that was already present on past releases and cranked it up to a new level.

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