"I’ve always been the guy in the group who loves coming up with hooks and chants. Sometimes I even write a hook before I write a verse." - 3Steez on "Stand Up!" from "The Lover & The Fighter: Ninja: @pulp.aadl.org story: pulp.aadl.org/node/665951

Michigan Punk-Pop at its finest from #TheIdiotKids Thanks for the tip @loriastratton.bsky.social

“These songs are about … what’s happening with me, or it’s me addressing old feelings, but from the perspective of [last] year. I can look back at it as a time capsule.” - Jon-Mikal Bartee on The Idiot Kids' latest album, "Instants." strattonsetlist.com/2026/02/13/t...

Boogie-Woogie Birthday: Mark Braun recovers from hand surgery and celebrates his big day with a performance at Kerrytown Concert House. We spoke to the Ann Arbor pianist ahead of his February 13 show, which will feature a collaboration with drummer Ali Jackson. pulp.aadl.org/node/666280

“One Track Mind” features a Washtenaw County artist or band discussing one song from their latest release. Athletic Mic League’s 3Steez discusses the track “Stand Up!” from his boom-bap hip-hop album, “The Lover & The Fighter: Ninja.” pulp.aadl.org/node/665951

Your Voice Matters! Tell us what it’s like to work in the Greater Detroit music industry and help drive policy solutions that elevate our music ecosystem and everyone who is a part of it. The Greater Detroit Music Census! Get involved: www.detroitmusiccollective.com/detroit-music-census/

“It does feel cathartic to be able to go ahead and say some of this stuff. It feels a little scary, too, to say what you’re thinking.” @jankrist.bsky.social on "Since You Asked Me." strattonsetlist.com/2026/01/31/j...

Thanks to those who have taken The Greater Detroit Music Census so far. Make your voice heard about our music community here: detroitmusiccollective.com/detroit-musi...

“‘Carousel’ explores this idea of how—consciously or unconsciously—we sometimes find ourselves going ‘round and round’ in circles, in a pattern that doesn’t allow for change.” - Tamiko May on @thedangps.bsky.social's new single strattonsetlist.com/2026/02/04/t...

Terry Swafford's new exhibit at the University of Michigan's North Campus Research Complex captures a specific side of Detroit. We spoke to the painter & home renovation expert about "On Site: Paintings From Detroit’s East Side (2015-2025)," which runs through April 24. pulp.aadl.org/node/665841

Lynn Galbreath’s new exhibit at the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex combines paintings that draw on travel, commercialism, and communications. We spoke to the artist about the exhibit, which runs through April 24. pulp.aadl.org/node/665872

The Greater Detroit Music Census launches on February 3! Get ready to share your thoughts about the Detroit music community through a new survey. Learn more here: detroitmusiccollective.com/detroit-musi...

“One Track Mind” features a Washtenaw County artist or band discussing one song from their latest release. Ann Arbor singer-songwriter Corazon Szell discusses the track, "North Ingalls Street" from North Ingall's debut album, "To Be Loved Back." pulp.aadl.org/node/665726

“I started writing at the age of 14, going through high school, even a bit of college. Those are the ages when your mind expands, and you’re learning a lot about the world.” - Connor Parent on Sonic Distance's latest album, "Everything Outward" strattonsetlist.com/2026/01/25/s...

"This song was my attempt to instead lean into abundance, and yes, to attempt to approach a new love from that same place, instead of getting caught up in what it might become or what might go wrong." - Rik Strange on "West Park" @pulp.aadl.org story: pulp.aadl.org/node/665622

For our new series, "One Track Mind," we’re asking an artist to discuss one song from their latest release. Ann Arbor singer-songwriter Rik Strange highlights the track “West Park” from her debut EP, “Angelclown.” pulp.aadl.org/node/665622

Running through February 27 at Riverside Arts Center’s North Gallery, the fourth annual “Black Artist Exhibit,” themed “Embracing Unity Through Art,” celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and honors Black History Month. pulp.aadl.org/node/665585

"The January 24 show sets the tone for the year by emphasizing collaboration, quality songwriting, and community." - Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert on Sounds of the Zoo Presents: Live. Local. Vibes. strattonsetlist.com/2026/01/17/s...

I know this is one of the least important things happening in the world right now, but I want to blast out that I'm making my debut as a synth/noise/electronics soloist this coming SATURDAY (1/17) at 7 PM in Ann Arbor at the new arts space Cluster Museum (307 N. Main Street) clustermuseum.org

“After the success of our 2025 show—raising nearly $5,000—there were so many artists from Southeast Michigan who asked to be part of it if we held it again. So it was a no-brainer.” - @psycho7.bsky.social on the Darkness at the Edge of Corktown benefit show. strattonsetlist.com/2026/01/06/d...

More Best of 2025 honors as Crossword Smiles and their album "Consequences & Detours" (out now: orcd.co/crosswordsmi...) are among the Year's Best Album Staff Picks from Lori Stratton at Ann Arbor's A2 Pulp! See all the selections here:👇 pulp.aadl.org/node/663999 #IndieRock #BestOf2025 #IndiePop 🎸

"We want to come to this [project] as people who genuinely care about the future of community interaction and use music to do that with whatever tools we have at our disposal." - Bill Arnold on "Echoes in the Iron" strattonsetlist.com/2026/01/05/e...

“To me, the song is not so much about the pain of dating the wrong person. It’s the aftermath ‘numb’ feeling that can follow post-breakup.” - Julianne Ankley on her latest single, "Polar Train" strattonsetlist.com/2025/12/28/j...

“There’s a lot of hope on the album, too. It’s cool to see that hope has been realized.” - Chandler Lach on Ness Lake's latest album, "Normal Speed" strattonsetlist.com/2025/12/27/n...

“For me, whether it be a song or a composition, I always say, ‘A good song is one you want to hear again. ’If you’re not taken somewhere, then you’re playing a typewriter.” - David Barrett on his latest instrumental folk album strattonsetlist.com/2025/12/20/d...

I've compiled a list of some of my favorite albums and EPs by Michigan artists for @pulp.aadl.org Staff Picks 2025. pulp.aadl.org/node/663999

Enjoy a fun-filled gathering featuring a holiday market, food, live music, and networking on December 20 at The Odd Fellow Concert Lounge in Wyandotte, MI. Learn about the Greater Detroit Music Census & connect with organizations from the local music community. www.facebook.com/events/79374...

I’m a community partner for the Greater Detroit Music Census, a local survey that's being sponsored by The Detroit Music Collective & Portfolio Medics. It will explore the needs, challenges, and contributions of musicians working in Metro Detroit. detroitmusiccollective.com/detroit-musi...

“It was the calmest and most relaxing Christmas we’ve ever had because of that. And it was hard [not seeing extended family], but we got by with Zoom.” - Austin Kaufmann on @thedangps.bsky.social's latest single, "Christmas Waltz" localspins.com/the-dangling...

“It all came out great, thanks to Jon-Mikal [Bartee], too. He put a nice touch on it, and he knew what we wanted to go with. He gave us a sound with a more modern recording.” - John Quillen on Absentees' latest EP, "All the Hertz: Volume 1." strattonsetlist.com/2025/12/05/a...

“These artistic collaborators are total strangers to each other and connected across great distances, and they’re having profound dialogues and interactions. That’s cool,” said Nathan Langston about the Telephone art project. strattonsetlist.com/2025/11/30/t...

“For me, that space is a kind of inner landscape where I wanted the instrumental to reflect that sense of lifting off into a place that’s familiar yet expansive,” said Randy Juhl about The JR Band's new single, "Predilection." strattonsetlist.com/2025/11/21/t...

“I started coming up with ideas, and I had a bunch of ideas for songs that I thought were missing from the Christmas repertoire,” said Olivia Van Goor about her latest Christmas album, "Waiting for Santa." strattonsetlist.com/2025/11/16/o...

Mike Green is hosting "Notes of Gratitude," a benefit concert for Washtenaw Literacy on 11/14 at Ann Arbor's Gladwin Center. He will perform original songs along with select tracks by some of his favorite songwriters. Barbara Schmid will emcee the show. givebutter.com/notesofgrati...

“We latched onto his messaging of the Lions, and we’ve adopted it. It just aligns with the mission and messaging of Adaboy!.” - Mike Richards on Adaboy's latest single, "Uncaged" strattonsetlist.com/2025/11/07/a...

Resharing a 2024 interview I did with Chuck Marshall about GIG: The Art of Michigan Music. GIG is Saturday at ART 634 in Jackson. Come join us for a fun day filled with visual art, workshops, a music market, live music, and more. strattonsetlist.com/2024/11/02/c...

@pulp.aadl.org highlights the early days of hip-hop & the integral role it’s played in Washtenaw County since the '80s. We spoke to 4 local DJs—Will “Chill Will” Higgs, Chuck Slay, Scott “DJ Scotty D” Downer, and Jamil “DJ Jammin’ Jay” Powers—about how they got started. pulp.aadl.org/node/645064

GIG: The Art of Michigan Music is Saturday at ART 634 in Jackson. Our fearless leader Chuck Marshall recently discussed GIG on JTV's "The Morning Show" with Bart Hawley. Join us on Saturday for visual art, workshops, a music market, live music, and more. The event is free. jtv.tv/chuck-marsha...

Thanks to London Beck for having me on "The Frequency Exchange" podcast. We discussed supporting creatives, starting The Stratton Setlist, and serving on Michigan Music Alliance and GIG: The Art of Michigan Music. www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y2m...

"We all wanted to put a show together of some sort because we know that Sam and Matt would have honored us the same way." - Issac Burgess on Sunday's "Samstock" memorial concert at Outer Limits Lounge strattonsetlist.com/2025/11/01/i...

AADL is pleased to announce the release of five new literary works from Fifth Avenue Press! Join us for A2 Community Bookfest where you can listen to a brief reading from each title, meet the authors, buy their books, and get them signed! Sunday, November 9 at 1 PM Downtown. 📚 aadl.org/bookfest

“In today’s world, these emotions will find you at some point. I find it fascinating how people, including myself, deal with them in different ways.” - Brian Perrone on his latest EP, "Bend Until It Breaks" strattonsetlist.com/2025/10/29/m...

Thanks to @nataliaholtzman.bsky.social and @concentratemedia.bsky.social for this nice feature on GIG: The Art of Michigan Music. GIG is Saturday, November 8 at ART 634 in Jackson, Michigan. concentratemedia.com/visual-artis...

“Thematically, this EP feels very nostalgic. It is past-focused in a way, but it is fundamentally a hopeful album." - Peter Felsman on his latest DASHpf EP, "Things We Used to Make" strattonsetlist.com/2025/10/23/p...

“Lyrically, it’s a mix of finding the right person and feeling secure in that,” said JD Waldvogel about King Ink's latest single, "Good News." strattonsetlist.com/2025/10/12/k...

Shout-out to Current Magazine for this cool feature on GIG - The Art of Michigan Music. GIG is four weeks away! Come join us Saturday, November 8, for visual art, a music market, workshops, and live music ART 634 in Jackson. www.ecurrent.com/music/gig-re...

Dig this:

I'm highlighting some of my old media as a way to celebrate Dead Media Day, which is October 12 @aadl.org’s downtown location. The inaugural event pays homage to retro media, entertainment, and ephemera. @pulp.aadl.org story: pulp.aadl.org/node/647911

"I think we have rehearsed about 25 or 26 songs, five covers ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Gorillaz, and then a pretty even split of Soods songs and the aforementioned Elroy stuff," said Jason Roy about The Soods' Midwest fall tour. strattonsetlist.com/2025/10/07/t...

Detroit/Ann Arbor area folks, dig in!