It’s a scorcha of a  Saturday and The Strutt is kindly providing us with the bounty of an out of this world dance party. Put on your dancing shoes and show some skin because it’s going to get sweaty tonight. DID I MENITON IT’S FREE!

STEPDAD

They’re gonna make you move. Their songs are poppy and unbelievably catchy. With a hugely successful EP under their belts, these Grand Rapids boys are set to record a full length with producer Chris Zane (Passion Pit, The Walkmen, Tokyo Police Club) and will surely go far. Come see them before they shoot up and tickets cost $50.

NUNCA DUERMA

This Michigan based DJ creates a vibrant sound with his skill for seductive hip hop beats and its marriage to a lush landscape of ambience and melodic sampling.

THE WRAP

Described as a party right when it’s being broken up, The Wrap is an intense, gritty, and downright shocking group of sweaty young men MCing over a mix of hip hop, fierce electronica and raucous samples

FREE! FREE! FREE! The Strutt. 9.30pm.

It was nearly four years in the making for Chris Bathgate’s new full-length Salt Year. Having had the chance to preview the album, I can safely say Bathgate has created a piece of work that shall be noted as one of Michigan’s finest for many years to come.

iSPY Blog

Despite taking more than a few years to create and including several musical guest appearances, Salt year seems and feels incredibly concise. I was left with the impression that the whole project must have been produced in a shorter period of time than it actually was. Here is proof that Bathgate not only knows how to marry exceptional lyrical content with lush arrangements, but he knows how to assemble these songs into something greater. I am not sure I would be correct in calling this a concept album, however, each song works remarkably well with the next and there are many themes that reappear throughout.

Whether intentional or not, the mood of the album touches upon the difficulty in its conception, yet remains ever optimistic to reach its end. Salt Year, being released on Quite Scientific Records, sounds nothing short of a triumph.

Kalamazoo will finally be able to embrace his work when Bathgate performs at The Strutt, along side Hezekiah Jones and Samantha Crain, on Friday April 22^nd.

Show starts at 9PM

$5 cover.