Chromeo is a band from Montreal who fuses funk and pop into a throwback style, re-imagined for today. 

This duo, featuring Patrick Gemayel and David Macklovitch, makes falling in and out of love seem like fun. Watch out for wayward arrows (or try to catch one if that's what you're into) when Chromeo hits the stage at Royal Oak Music Hall on May 8, 2014. Yes, that's right- check out the crooners live during their "Come Alive" Tour. 

Chromeo is releasing their latest album, White Women, on May 12, featuring collaborations with Toro Y Moi, Solange and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend fame. 

Here are the dates from the final stretch of Chromeo's tour:

5/9 Detroit MI Royal Oak Music Hall
5/12 Atlanta GA Variety Playhouse
5/13 Richmond VA The National
5/14 Philadelphia PA Union Transfer
5/16 New York NY Terminal 5


Listen to their sound here.
Grab your tickets to the show here.

KOAN Sound adeptly merges music in a way that fuses past- present + future, and  is bringing their sound to the D, which is actually in the midst of doing the same thing itself. Koan Sound will have you hooked within seconds of hearing their latest EP, Dynasty.

Formed in the UK in 2008, the pair of producers behind the music are Jim Bastow and Will Weeks. KOAN Sound has been touring around the globe relentlessly for the past few years, bringing their mesmerizing sound to city after city. In 2012, they shared the bill with Skrillex and Diplo, hopping aboard the wild musical train ride known as the Full Flex Express.

This group mixes converging musical genres seamlessly, transporting rifts of 70s Cali funk with dub step and twists it with some symphonic elements, catapulting it into the future. The finished product is something fresh, with hints of a flashback… the good kind. Growing up, the friends would sneak into clubs where they would hear dubstep, garage, whatever sounds were leaving the speakers. Now both members are influenced by all those genres and more, which swirl together, then ricochet in their production. 

The duo will be bringing their transcendental experience to a town near you- as they meander around the country with Minnesota. KOAN Sound is kicking off a string of dates in the US, beginning with a show in Boston, with the final performance ending in Tampa Bay. Right in the middle of it all, they will be hitting the stage in Pontiac- at Elektricity on May 2.

Check out their latest EP, Dynasty, which dropped April 1st on the OWSLA label. 

KOAN Sound, North American Tour
ELEKTRICITY Nightclub
15 South Saginaw St.
Pontiac, Michigan 48342
May 2, 2014 

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will be featuring two special guests at an upcoming performance- Steven Spielberg and John Williams. The dynamic duo will take to the stage in this once-in-a-lifetime event, and are graciously donating their time at the fundraiser. Williams will conduct the orchestra through some of his most recognizable work, while Spielberg will make an appearance as host for the second half of the night.

Spielberg is a filmmaker known for directing impossibly awesome films including Indiana Jones, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Lincoln and Jaws. He is a legend in Hollywood, known for his unbelievable talent and distinct eye for the perfect shot. Aside form his multiple Academy Awards and numerous Directors Guild of America triumphs, he also holds the prize for being the top-grossing directors of all time!

John Williams is a prolific artist and has scored all of the aforementioned films, and then some. In addition to his work on Spielberg films, he has also worked on iconic movies such as Star Wars, Superman, Harry Potter, War Horse and The Book Thief. He has been in the industry for sixty years, accomplishing a career rich in breadth and stunning in its creativity. Williams has been nominated for 49 Academy Awards, and is one of only two people who have had the honor of being nominated that many times.

The DSO is an internationally acclaimed orchestra that has performed with accomplished musicians from around the globe, and Detroit born-and-raised artists like Kid Rock and Smokey Robinson. The DSO performs at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.

The benefit concert and gala will be held on June 14, 2014. The proceeds from the event will go toward the orchestra. Tickets went on sale April 14, at 9 a.m., and were gone in record time. Ticket seekers stood in line for hours, while many even camped overnight to score seats to the show.

Most of the people waiting to buy tickets were fans of the infamous films and dressed accordingly. Some wore full regalia consisting of Stormtrooper garb while others donned the more conservative Darth Vader look. For those wondering, yes, Princess Leia was in the mix, showing off her double-buns and legendary ensemble. Luckily, dinosaurs were no where to be found and Jaws wasn't seen hanging around the Detroit River.

For tickets to other performances presented by the DSO, or for additional info, call the box office at 313.576.5111 or check out www.dso.org. Tickets for the Spielberg/Williams event were virtually impossible to get since it sold out within minutes- even E.T. couldn't get through.

From the Bio:


Mike Perry & Austin Keultjes of Supreme Cuts are scholars of every genre they borrow from. Leaning heavily on the ideals and aesthetics of modern rap and its sub-genres, especially Footwork, they cast a wide net into the sub-bass heavy recesses of DatPiff and YouTube and skim the cream from the top.

The resulting downtempo beat-compositions are buoyant, urgent, vicious things, yet they remain foetid with all the funk of a Bangladesh beat turned-velour and then screwed into oblivion. Obsessives about the ghetto house of DJ Funk and the angular work of Philip Glass, Perry & Keultjes produce a gripping future music of lilting polyrhythms and narrative complexity that is impossible to peel the film of THC and sweat from.

Supreme Cuts' collaborations with Main Attrakionz, How to Dress Well, Wise Blood, Haleek Maul, Holy Other and more have contributed to a growing reputation, rapport and cred in the indie world, but usurping those who currently occupy the beatmaking throne is their end-goal. On Whispers in the Dark they plumb the depths of their influences and slowly exhale a wisely-chosen reconstitution of all that has been great about electronic music for the past 40 years.

Remember when Shangri La Studios was for sale? Rick Rubin bought it a while ago. My Fave song was recorded there. In a bedtime story swirling around, Dylan used to sleep in a tent in the rose garden located in the backyard of the studio. I guess that was before Zimmerman's Xandau was constructed. Anyway, Dylan would creep into the studio while Clapton was recording. He let Clapton have the song, while he was relegated to backup singer- although he did release his own version on Bootleg Series. 

Dylan & the Band collabed on the construction of Shangri La and recorded together. This was after the Big Pink sessions had been recorded. 

The people playing pool stopped in their tracks. For the entire song- they forgot they were playing to the death. Hundred Waters had made a dramatic entrance at the Loving Touch in Ferndale. The indie band from Gainesville, Florida was on an extensive North American tour with Braids. They had only been performing for little more than a year, and had been signed to the OWSLA record label soon after forming.


Keys ripped through the anticipation, followed by that voice. The voice of Nicole Miglis was upbeat with a sad story behind it, at times haunting with a lingering hint of airiness. Like running thru fields with a menacing storm cloud fast approaching- keep looking back, it's gaining momentum, nipping at your heels, ready to sweep you away. Then the sun comes out.

Hundred Waters cast its spell, keeping the audience mesmerized during the entire set. Music became atmospheric expression as Hundred Waters played into the darkness. When the music competed with the singing, an incredible moment in sound was created. The complex dichotomy of instruments versus voice creates the intrigue to listen further, pushing you to reach for more, has you hoping to grasp something tangible from the layers of sound released into the air.

Eventually the clink of the glasses reminded the audience they were still on a bar, waking them up from their transfixed state.

Step onto the ferry in Brooklyn or Manhattan, it will transport you to a land filled with the enchanting sights and sounds of Fete Paradiso, an antique Parisian carnival that is stationed on New York's Governor's Island from mid-July until the end of September. 

This is the first time that the rides have left France, ever. The rides themselves were rescued from two private collections in France, then painstakingly restored by a family of artisans who specialize in meticulous workmanship. 

Fete Paradiso is an extravaganza of wonderment for children and adults. The twinkling melodies filled the air with a sound that instantly took the uber-modernized crowd back into another century, while the stunning display of rare amusement rides will have you thinking perhaps you really did take a step into a time machine and landed in another world. 

Experience the carnival like never before through the whirling of the Chaise Volante or while holding on for dear life as you enjoy the unique thrill of the Dragon Carousel as it propels forward, and then backyards, all the while daring you to not fly off. There are also the much more tame, but still awesome sailing ships, gliding to and fro in a flying journey through the sky. A toddler favorite, but older kids will want a chance to ride too.

Taking a spin on the speeding bicycle carousel is a must. There are only two of this type made in the entire world.This unique thrill ride was made in 1897 and is beyond amazing to see in action. A belt rolls the carousel into action while riders pedal furiously around and around. On this ride, everyone laughs. The suave attendant in the iconic black and white striped shirt joins in the fun, intermittently shouting commands in french and singing tunes into a bull horn to keep the peddlers riled up.

If the stunning display of vintage rides were not enough, there is a biergarten- fashioned from a bumper car pavilion from 1900, and food- crafted by Le Gamin, a French bistro in the city. The selections are fit for gourmands who will relish every bite of salad Niçoise or Croque Monsieur. Step right up and get a wand of flavored cotton candy- orange is the best, or taste one of the authentic crepes offered, then sit under the charming chandeliers and watch the rides spin and swirl as the carefree days of summer seem to pass by a little more slowly while on the island.

Games such as the Ball Guzzler will keep everyone entertained, as valiant attempts are made to land a ball into the mouths of celebs from the 1930s. This nostalgic game features likenesses of Josephine Baker, Charlie Chaplin and more iconic figures from that era. Get five balls in, and score a drink on the house- for real. 

A children's carousel from the 1930s was transformed into a concert hall, where musicians and performers will entertain and delight the listeners. Soul Clap performed during the Parisian Ball event, while a host of other musicians took to the stage throughout the summer to entice revelers into a melodic daydream of old Parisian street music. 

Much more can be said about this festival, but the absolute best way to experience it, is to check it out for yourself- you will be in awe. 

The R. Park Fest 2013 featured all the things that make a festival great. DJS spinning live music, Firefighter Chili Cookoff!, killer cornhole tournament, a bounce house and beer. Did I forget to mention the most awesome thing ever... Roller Skating!!!! Because WHO doesn't LOVE skating? The Grinch perhaps. 

The festival was held under the stoic watch of Michigan Central Station, our massive treasure that will most likely be restored soon (call it a hunch) Anyway- what better way to spend the first day of fall than at a neighborhood picnic... roller skating! 

Laneway happened.

St. Jerome's Laneway Festival brought a unique feeling to the rolling hillsides of Meadow Brook Music Festival. The low key festival with a chill vibe kicked off its first North American event in the Detroit area. The scene was set with large sculptures, hammocks, artwork and bales of hay that were scattered on the festival grounds. 

The laid back vibe extended beyond the fans themselves and seeped into the ones that they had come to see- the musicians themselves. From the lead singer to the hardcore drummer, the band was there to scope out the scene and become part of music history- watching it unfold from the stage and as part of the audience when they were done with their set. 

Laneway Detroit was a fresh fest that was cool because nobody knew what to expect. 

Bands performed.

The music was well-curated, displaying a wide range of styles which merged together to create a cohesive roster of raw talent. It was decidedly different with a sense of familiarity all at once. Meander around to discover someone you never heard of or catch your fave band as they tear into their lyrics with a new vengeance.  

From the Pavillion stage to the Movement stage, all the artists seemed excited to be at Laneway Detroit. Down to their bones. From the synthy whispers coming from Chvrches to the bombastic bravado spewing out of Run the Jewels, an El-P + Killer Mike collab, there was definitely something for everyone, with lots of in-between to check out.

All the bands that graced each of the five stages killed it. Heathered Pearls christened the Movement stage in the early afternoon, while Matthew Dear closed it out as the sun was beginning to fade. The Roscoe stage was home to Deerhunter and Frightened Rabbit, while the Meadow stage played host to the sexy BAMF singer from Alunageorge, flanked by media-fave Chet Faker and crowd-fave Run the Jewels.

The Derrick stage was the setting for the avant-garde Savages followed later that evening by the frenetic musings of The National. The Pavilion stage featured the impeccable CHVRCHES gave way to kinetic duo Icona Pop, who burst onto the scene until Solange staked her claim and made it her own, creating an edgy soul experience through her lighthearted yet sultry throwback sound. 

The musical factory of event crashers that is the Detroit Party Marching Band, spilled out everywhere wearing their signature flashy DPMB garb. Horns raging through the air, clanging their way with unabashed bravado from stage to stage, crowds erupted like hot magma collecting around a volcano.

Artists created. 

You could smell the paint in the air as the slight breeze carried a kaleidoscope of colors from the canvas. Artists such as David Corneal and Terry A. Burton worked to translate the moment into something tangible as the music played.

Crowds cheered. 

It was a place for serious fans and casual listeners. Everyone fit. The casual atmosphere was electrified by the crowds, whose excitement was matched and amplified by the bands that were featured at this all day and into-the-night bash. 

And then they went home. Or to the after-party. (But that's another story)