For his recent self-titled album, King Eddie frontman Justin Maike had the goal of creating something “as D.I.Y. as possible, while still sounding polished and nice.” So he made the album using the resources he had in front of him, from recording in a haunted house in Detroit to hanging blankets on the walls so Read More
Category: Interviews
Ryan and His Abundance of Arms
“If I’m given the chance to eat at McDonald’s or eat a healthy balanced meal, I’ll choose the healthy one even if it takes longer to eat,” Ryan Allen describes to me as I quickly type up his words next to a broken tape recorder. I do a double take as I realize what I just Read More
Vonneguts, Vonneglory
“Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something,” screams Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. to a world where desolation and pain rule over artistic endeavors. So Read More
Monty Luke and Black Catalogue
Recently we got together with Monty Luke, owner and curator of Detroit-based electronic music label Black Catalogue. Originally from San Francisco, Monty moved here several years ago to work with Carl Craig and Planet E Communications. We talked weather for a minute, winter’s like this can easily make someone think about goin’ back to Cali’. Read More
Keri Lynn Roche: American Idol’s Sweetest Detroiter
Ever since Kelly Clarkson was named the very first winner of the television contest on September 4, 2002, American Idol has brought millions of skilled vocalists out of their showers and onto the big screen. And, as Americans, it has since become our job to use all of the basic knowledge of vocalism we’ve gained Read More
Detroit Bass Player interview “Ralphe Armstrong” interview
Big Ive sits down with the legendary Ralphe Armstrong for an up-close and personal chat. For those that know or have seen Ralphe know when he talks, you should listen! In 1973, Ralphe Armstrong – a 17-year-old Detroit kid just out of high school tried out for a gig with the Mahavishnu Orchestra. “The other Read More
DBP INTERVIEW WITH JAZZ GREAT ‘ROBERT HURST’
While not exactly sure how big the Bass-Mint is, this summit of upright bass players is impressive. Ivan “Big Ive” Williams chats with Jazz Great Robert Hurst, and friends. Robert Hurst has been one of the most in-demand bass players in jazz for the past quarter century and has done extensive stints in the bands Read More
A Fireside Chat with “The Jet Rodriguez” frontman, Cameron Navetta
Thursday, October 10th, 2013. Raining innumerable domestic animals. Inside the New Way Bar, loners, lovers, childhood friends, and withered businessmen merge with a love of two sacred things in common: music and baseball. The Jet Rodriguez gets the crowd on their feet just in time for the Detroit Tigers to trample the Oakland Athletics with Read More
Saving R&B with B Williams
While only in his early thirties, Grammy Award nominee Brandon “B” Williams has been sharing music with us for a while. As a direct protégé of super producer Michael J. Powell, Brandon has lent his production skills to many artists: Janet Jackson, Pharoahe Monch, Bobby Creekwater, Vickie Winans, Jadakiss, Lin Rountree, Anita Baker, Jay Electronica, Jeymes Samuel, Read More
Funk Night Preview: A Day with Frank Raines & Rickey Calloway
Halloween morning started as bleak, gloomy and grey as Detroit Sounds Like This got ready to spend the day with Funk Night Records DJ and Owner Frank Raines and headliner for tonight’s return of Funk Night: Rickey Calloway. Rickey, having only arrived in Detroit a couple hours before, was up and ready for a mini Detroit tour Read More
An Interview With Saxappeal
When Detroit Sounds Like This sat down with LaDarrel Johnson for an interview, one of the first things to happen was a show-and-tell about his instrument, custom made and engraved with his ‘Saxappeal’ emblem. A wealth of pride was evident on his face as he carefully handled his saxophone with loving attention and beamed with Read More
George Morris & The Gypsy Chorus
One minute and forty-eight seconds into a video for George Morris’ song, “Fuck It,” directed by Jesse Shepherd-Bates, the singer can be spotted standing in front of a wall, staring intently at the camera, and holding a baby in his arms. I have seen this video probably 6,000 times and I have always been overwhelmed Read More
Forward, Deep + Sleaze: An Introduction to Disco in Detroit Part 1
When Detroit Sounds Like This sat down with DJ Jerry Downey Jr. (Sexual Tension Detroit & Bathroom Culture) we asked him to describe his parties and the music he spins in three words. His response: Forward, Deep & Sleaze Ever since my favorite monthly DJ party has come to a halt (Funk Night) I have Read More
Tony Ollivierra
Tony Ollivierra is a Detroit area electronic musician and dj who got started in the late eighties. He was influenced by the Detroit club scene in the 80’s and 90’s in venues like The Shelter with Richie Hawtin, The Music Institute with Derrick May and Alton Miller, and The Majestic with Blake Baxter. He’s currently Read More
Damon Warmack On Bass And Beyond
Chatting with born and raised Detroiter – “east side by the grace of God” – bass player Damon Warmack is always a good time. We get in depth with Damon about his musical journey. Unsurprisingly, Damon had aspirations to be a jazz musician. So the Fender Precision bass he first received just wouldn’t cut it. Read More
Discussion with Rocket McFlyy
I’ll be honest with you, the last time I wrote an interview was for my riveting high school journal. Therefore, I approached this “interview” as more of a discussion. Before this discussion happened, I had a chance to hear the band live, and have a listening session of their recorded music. Because of this, I Read More
Interview with Mexican Knives
Mexican Knives are a band based out of the city with a groove, a presence, and a fast-paced aggression that is infectious to the ear. Zach, Ruth, John, and Blair have given their genre of “surf goth” a fan base within the city, and will surely grab the attention and the eardrums of many more Read More