Michigan Left Does It Right
Michigan Psych Rock band Michigan Left everybody
In the Irish pub meets local rock venue of PJ’s Lager House, located off of Michigan Ave in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan Left swells to life for sound check. Comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist Josh Slater, guitarist Joe Louden, keyboardist/guitarist Josiah Rhome, bassist Ethan Garcia, and drummer/backing vocalist Josh Scott the self-claimed psych rock outfit conjures up a meeting place of late sixties psychedelia, today’s indie rock, with some doses of The Smiths and Black Sabbath mixed in. The band isn’t shy about their influences, admitting they often name songs based on a band they sound like. Favorite songs to play of the band like “Pond Song” or “Smithies” denote the groups Michigan Left looks up to.
With sound check complete the band hits it’s first tune. Immediately evident is the space each player has, creating a sonic wall that blows the hair back and gets the hips moving. Scott’s phrasing leans into each section creating momentum propelling the group through the song with Garcia following suit, utilizing fast bass leading motifs. Slater’s vocals take center stage floating above the scene rising into dissonances and landing in resolution. To heighten the effect of Slater’s melodies, Louden tastefully harmonizes or responds with well crafted guitar lines. Rhome adds color and texture utilizing various keys patches or swanky Rickenbacker tones. When the group delves head first into instrumental sections, both Slater and Louden have room to lend their unique guitar voices, the former blasting away with tight rock licks adding energy and increasing excitement with the later developing sumptuous melody lines with precise note selection. Together they meld their techniques to create soaring duets. Scott adds intrigue and class with exceptional vocal harmonies while keeping everything groovy.
Beyond musical ability what’s evident is the groups’ varied taste in music genres and eras. The mashing together of these influences creates a stimulating sonic palate that acts like both a time-capsule and look into the future. Its itches both nostalgia and curiosity. Scott applies feels from afro-genres [RnB, jazz, blues, reggae, rap, hip-hop] of all types to Slater’s more forward driven rock stylings and the outcome is both delicious and invigorating.
Michigan Left is working on recording new material but you can catch them on all major streaming platforms.
