Songs In The Key Of… The Midwest

Michigan Theater and State Theater in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photo: Brad Switzer

From local heroes to those whose music has travelled far and wide, Michigander selects the songs that have shaped him

You know how Superman has to get close to the sun to “recharge”? That’s how I feel when I’m in the Midwest. I feel so comfortable and at home when I’m there. Maybe because it’s familiar, maybe because I don’t have to always use a GPS, or maybe because the traffic just is never that bad. There is no doubt that I am who I am because of that region. It’s in my blood. It has an underlying influence on the music I make.

In mid-Michigan where I grew up, we didn’t have a lot of access to music pre-internet. It was just whatever was on the radio (which was mostly Top 40) or the CDs at my local library. A lot of those were very formative for me. Though not a lot of those artists were from the Midwest, I feel like their sound resonated with me and my friends. But in this playlist, I’m going to focus on music and artists from the Midwest. And when I say Midwest, I’m talking about: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota and Iowa.

DEAD LEAVES AND THE DIRTY GROUND BY THE WHITE STRIPES

The White Stripes were one of the first “real” bands that I discovered. My friend’s older brother had a bootleg VHS of them playing at The Magic Stick in Detroit. Watching that made me feel like anything was possible.

STEREO BY MIKE MAINS AND THE BRANCHES

Mike (who is a friend) was one of the first “local” artists I really got into. He and his band would play all over Michigan and I’d go to so many of the shows. I Wouldn’t be who I am without this band.

TO BE ALONE WITH YOU BY SUFJAN STEVENS

Sufjan always felt like a mystery to me. I knew he was from Michigan, but his music always felt otherworldly.

WANTED YOU BY TWIN PEAKS

Chicago band that made me feel like Chicago was the biggest city in the world. Chicago feels like a home away from home.

Michigander: “The White Stripes were one of the first ‘real’ bands that I discovered.” Photo: Erick Frost

THE WOLVES BY BON IVER

I remember getting For Emma… on CD at the library. I put this album on my iPod and listened to it every night when falling asleep.

THE PRICE BY ABBY HOLLIDAY

I want to shed some light on some newer artists from the Midwest. Abby is a friend of mine and she is from Ohio. She’s one of my favourite artists.

BLOODBUZZ OHIO BY THE NATIONAL

Speaking of Ohio. It would be a crime to not mention these Cincinnati natives. The National is my favourite band. I absolutely love them.

LONE RANGER BY STAY OUTSIDE

These boys are some of my fave around. Stay Outside is a band from Indianapolis. I’ve played so many shows with these guys and am honoured to call them friends.

Michigander: “[The Soil And The Sun] was one of the coolest and best acts to come out of Michigan.” Photo: Erick Frost

HOMETOWN BY HALEY BONAR

This is a song I used to listen to a lot when I first moved away from my hometown. It pairs very nicely with a warm fall day.

SLOW MOTION BY PHOX

Nothing bums me out more than the fact that this band no longer exists. Prime Midwest vibes. Crossing my fingers for a reunion one day.

ARE YOU? BY THE SOIL AND THE SUN

Another band that no longer makes music, but feels so important to me. This band was one of the coolest and best acts to come out of Michigan. Truly a special project.

MICHIGAN BY MILK CARTON KIDS

Rounding out this playlist with this song. It feels like a classic at this point. I remember always listening to this song whenever I’d be travelling and leaving the state. It hits a bit different now that I live in Nashville though.

Michigander’s self-titled debut album is out now via Totally Normal/Thirty Tigers and he’ll be touring the U.S. throughout April. More details here michiganderband.com

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