Michigan’s local music scene is constantly churning out new bands from all genres, and one doesn’t need to search far to find a band from the state. Here are four bands hailing from The Mitten to check out if you’re a fan of alternative music:
Hot Mulligan
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Originally from the Upper Peninsula but now based in Lansing, Hot Mulligan’s bio describes the band as an “emo/pop-punk act.”
The band released their first EP, “Fenton,” in October 2014 and their most recent EP, “Opportunities,” in December. The music includes songs that sound purely pop-punk and doesn’t stray far from that.
The band continues to gain traction in Michigan and beyond, especially with the release of their newest EP.
Hot Mulligan will be at Flint Local 432 on March 3. Stream “Opportunities” here.
Desires
Melodic and emotional, the music that Desires creates could be considered spoken word combined with heavy vibes. Many songs on their EP “The One You Feed” begin with speaking that leads into the music, telling a story through the tracks.
The group has played So What Fest, a music festival in Dallas headlined by bands such as Balance & Composure and We Came as Romans.
Thought-provoking and deep, Desires crafts songs that pull listeners in and surround them not only with music that sounds good but has meaning.
Desires is playing their last show performing their own music on March 31 at the Pike Room in Pontiac. According to the band’s Facebook page, new music will continue to be released, “while live performances will not continue as of now.”
The band is also slated to cover songs from Chiodos’ “Bone Palace Ballet” in May.
Welman
A band from the Ann Arbor area, Welman’s music is layered and balanced. Voices are often buried under instruments and their tracks are full of depth.
The group just released a full-length album, “Totem.”
One of the tracks from the album, “Wolf,” is a perfect combination of clean and grittier vocals mixed with a blend of slower-paced and quicker moments of instrumentals that move the song along brilliantly.
Welman will be at the Matkin House in Taylor on March 3.
Silver Age
Hailing from Temperance, Silver Age has been making music since 2010.
The band has played with acts like Bowling for Soup, Turnover and Cute Is What We Aim For.
Described as “alternative-ish” and “pop punk-ish” on the band’s Facebook page, the music they make is catchy and laced with emotions.
The group’s most recent release, “Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear,” captures thoughts about growing up and love. “World Turn Blue” from the EP starts off as a track that sounds like it’ll be acoustic with a slowed-down pace. It speeds up and drums join in, embodying a style that the group seems to follow of mixing paces and feelings to craft tracks that flow seamlessly.
Stream Silver Age’s “Objects in the Mirror” here.
Catch Silver Age at the Excellency Music Festival in Bay City during the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 11 or at the New Dodge Lounge in Hamtramck that night.