Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Get Hip to The Old Adage

Some siblings can't be in the same room and others like Nino and Mimi Chavez aka The Old Adage, are fine with sharing everything, even an interview. This duo also creates some really solid tracks together and somehow they manage to make new music videos for a lot of their songs. They are the kind of artists that always have something cool going on, so we decided that it was time to check in and see what was new with the band. They shared a new video with us for the remix of their song "Hollywood" and told us a little but about what they have been up to this winter. Check out what they had to say and give their latest video a watch below! 


HID- The Old Adage makes a lot of music videos. How do you come up with all of the ideas and find the budget to make them?
Nino- "When we want to shoot a music video we generally try to brainstorm ideas between the two of us about what we think would look good and be fitting for the vibe of the song. Then, we usually look for someone that we think can pull it off and that we can afford. Usually, it's a friend. Regarding the budget we both generally put money aside from our own monthly budgets to make them and we split everything down the middle."

HID- Have you been writing or recording any new music lately?
Mimi- "Yes! We are always writing and recording. In fact, we have tons of music back lined, we never stop."

HID- Do you have any big Spring or Summer shows booked already? What are you looking forward to doing this summer?

Nino- "For the summer we're planning on playing out a lot more.  I'm excited cause we're gonna be playing a bunch of new music we haven't done live yet and we're gonna be releasing new music every month this year! That will stay consistent throughout the summer too."

HID- How did you pass the time this winter? 
Mimi- "We spent a lot of time in the studio and planning for our releases. Although it always is a little quieter during the winter season because we are spending a lot more time with family’s for the holidays and what not."

HID- What's been inspiring you lately?
Mimi- "People and my health. I’ve been trying to focus on being more health conscious and making healthy decisions with my life because everything we do comes with repercussion.  I have just been trying to live a little better and people around me have been very inspiring.

Iv'e always felt like people have high expectations of me and I don’t want to let people down. I know what we are capable of and I feel it necessary that we grab a hold of it. I’ve also been getting a lot of positive feedback and good vibes from people from doing my music and being myself and that in itself helps me continue and feel like I’m doing something right."

HID- What are you listening to?

Nino- "I listen to everything pop. I love it. EDM and hip hop too. That's about 90% of what my Spotify consists of. The other 10% is miscellaneous AF. But, I would say favorite artists at the moment? Galantis, Marshmello, and Major Lazer"

HID- Sleep in or up early?
Mimi- "I’m usually on a routine. I’m always up at a certain time, unless it’s Sunday. Probably the only day I actually “sleep in” now.  Right now, things are fucky because I'm working midnight's but I’m up at 4 pm and I’ll be up til 10 am everyday. I’ve always been a good sleeper. When I was younger my mom use to call me “Sleeping Booty” because I have always slept in.  Same thing during high school. If I didn’t have anything to do best believe I was in bed til 3 pm...but nowadays it seems like there’s always something I have to do. Lol. So, I aim for a good 6-8 hours."

HID- Anything else you would like our readers to know?

Mimi- "You is kind. You is smart. You is important."


~S

Win Tickets to See Palehound with Weaves at El Club

Boston based Palehound is currently out on tour with Weaves and the two are headed to Detroit this week! The bands are set to hit the stage at El Club this Thursday, March 1st along with River Spirit  and Stef Chura will be DJing throughout the night. Both of these touring acts are led by strong females on the mic. Get a feel for what these bands are like by checking out their music videos below.



Tickets to see this awesome acts live are only $13 in advance or $15 at the door. You can purchase your tickets in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to this show from our friends at Party Store Productions and El Club! To enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #paleweaves in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Thursday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize. 

Doors are set to open at 8 p.m. on Thursday and all ages are welcome. 


~C

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Hip in Detroit Checks in with The Bruised Reed About Their Latest Doubles Release

The Bruised Reed is a local duo that is not only talented, but they are also married and able to create some hauntingly beautiful music together. Kirsten Wheeler's eerie vocals are the perfect compliment to husband Josh Wheeler's gritty guitars. Together they create an updated grunge sound that others have attempted, but have been unable to achieve. Their two latest singles "The Storm is Coming" and "Emptiest Noise" are great examples of their special sound, you can listen to them here. Both tracks were released in early February as the fourth installment of the band's doubles series. This series features the duo releasing more music more often, which is of course a treat for their fans,  and as it turns out, a great way to make them push themselves every time they record.

We reached out to Josh Wheeler to check in with him before their upcoming show at PJ's Lager House this Friday, March 2nd. Push play on one of their new tracks using the link above and give the interview a read! 


HID- Why did you decide to put out two sings at a time? 
The Bruised Reed- "It's tough for us to make time to get new songs written, arranged, recorded, mixed, mastered; so instead of waiting 2-3 years to put out a new full length album, I decided to start putting out a pair of new songs whenever they happened to be ready. The plus side is there's so much energy and anticipation/publicity around new releases, it's easier to plug to radio/blogs when there's something new coming out, etc., so it's been helpful to get new things in front of people once or twice a year instead of waiting several years for them to pile up for a full album like I've always done in the past with this or other bands.

We've released four of these double A-side singles now, so when the next couple of new songs come along, it's likely we'll group them all together to have one new full-length album together that we can physically press instead of these digital-only releases. But in the meantime, this method of writing and then releasing more regularly has been a good change of pace."

HID- Did you write them all at the same time and record them slowly, or are you writing and recording as you go along?
The Bruised Reed- "These are all being written and recorded as they come to me. Nothing new is worked on until the last two are written, recorded and released. Nothing is forced to try to fill out a track list, they're just ready when they're ready.

It's a different discipline to be focusing on a couple songs at a time, all of them meant to be 3-4 minute "singles" that can stand on their own. The songs together may be a little disjointed thematically, but what's being put out is devoid of short filler tracks, no 10 minute long sonic experiments; they're all meant to be full-production singles with big hooks, and all of them have gotten local radio play, so it's been a different mindset and exercise to aim for productions with that intent."

HID- Do you think your personal relationship makes it easier or harder to create together?
The Bruised Reed- "It's a great experience to be able to create and perform with your spouse, but it can make for tough negotiations at the end of the day if you have to head to the basement and record vocal tracks, or put your feet up after a long day of work and watch Netflix. Plus writing lyrics you know your wife has to repeatedly sing will make you think twice about what kind of subject matter to explore. Though I guess I could have just written a bunch of love songs and made her sing them back to me every show instead :). "

HID- How do you prepare to play live? Do you have any pre-show rituals?
The Bruised Reed- "Our pre-show rituals are for all four of us to scramble home from our day jobs, try to get instruments packed up while putting our kids to bed, and rush to the venue through four different traffic routes to be there on time. All of us that play together in the live band are married with kids and jobs, and are coming from different corners of Metro Detroit, so we try to all get there in time to chat about the Pistons for a few minutes but then we start playing."

HID- Whats the worst thing that has ever happened to you at a show?
The Bruised Reed- "We've been pretty lucky to have avoided anything too disastrous at our shows. Most all of us have played and toured professionally in our past, so I think we take the ups and downs of the live "experience" in stride. It's sometimes tough for us to find the right personality lineup to fit in as there's not a lot of bands around doing quite what we do, so it's made for an interesting crowd mix here and there, but nothing too bad yet. "

HID- What's your favorite Bruised Reed song to perform live? Why?
The Bruised Reed- "I think the combo of "This is Wrong" and "Let Me Sleep" is my favorite part of the set to play. We always play those two butted up together in the middle of the set, and they really showcase the best aspects of the band and the music. They have more intricate and melodic parts that show off the more delicate stuff we do, but have big crescendos that let us crank up and be obnoxious for a bit."

HID-What are you listening to these days?
The Bruised Reed- "I mainly listen to new music these days since there's so much stuff immediately at your fingertips. 2017 had so many good new releases almost every week, but I'm still waiting for that first great album of 2018 to come out (getting hopeful that soon-to-be-released Lucy Dacus, Car Seat Headrest, MF Doom, Wye Oak records can break that seal). In the meantime, I've been playing Jonny Greenwood's "Phantom Thread" score a lot, the new Jeff Rosenstock is great, the "Black Panther" soundtrack is a good time. Locally, I'm anxiously awaiting the new Man Mountain and Minihorse records. And, seeing teasers from Bars of Gold and The Armed prepping new stuff is getting me pumped."


The Bruised Reed will be perfomring alongside Nina and The Buffalo Riders, Scarlet Lies, and
Taeryn this Friday. Tickets to attend the show are $8 and they can be purchased in advance here. You can also hear more of The Bruised Reed by clicking here.


~S

You Don't Need a Holiday to Celebrate Madonna

Michigan born pop legend Madonna has had one of the most successful musical careers of all time. She has sold over 300 million records worldwide, she is the highest grossing solo artist of all time, and she holds the record for the most number-ones on all combined Billboard charts, including twelve number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and eight number-one albums on the Billboard 200. She has also influenced pop culture form all fronts, including fashion and politics and the way we all talk about sex. She is a true legend and all of her tracks are bangers. As a child I even spent hours making up dances to songs like "Vogue" and "Holiday", while pretending I was her in a high ponytail.  Pretending your Madonna, even for a second is empowering. So, if you haven't had the chance, make sure you take advantage of Madonna Night at The Loving Touch this Wednesday. It's time for you to strike a pose and sing your heart out to "Papa Don't Preach". Entry is free and anyone who wants to bring it, can get up on stage and give it a whirl. This is the first time they are doing a tribute night in this form, so it will be interesting to see who comes out and preforms! Doors are at 7 p.m. and entry is FREE!

~S

Monday, February 26, 2018

Terry's Terrace Takes it to the Next Level

Terry's Terrace is an east side jewel that has been open and operating since 1938. They made a name for themselves with their famous fish and chips and slow roasted rib eye, but they are re-establishing themselves as a truly unique space by rolling out a finely curated, well thought out, vegan menu to enhance their regular fare. This was an unexpected surprise, so we reached out to the head chef TJ Newton and visited the space last week to check out the new menu for ourselves.

Our first question for the head chef was why? He put it very simply and said: "why not".  Terry's wanted to be the first restaurant in the area (Terry's is just a short drive from the city up I-94 in Harrison Township) to embrace the idea of a completely plant-based menu that was fun, different, and full of flavor. He created a menu that features bar and grill staples like a burger and put his own twist on items like Mac and Cheese and The Buddha Bowl.  This menu even includes vegan appetizers, wines, drinks, beers, and dessert!
We started off our meal by trying the Shang Hai Cauliflower which features tempura fried cauliflower tossed in house made Shang Hai sauce finished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds. We also tried the Brussels Sprouts which feature a balsamic glaze. Both of us were blown away by how hearty and delicious the cauliflower was. It reminded me of eating some really good Kung Pao Chicken, but it was completely animal free and non-greasy!


For our main meal, we split three dishes. First, there was the Mac and Teese, a sauteed mixture of zucchini, squash, carrots, roasted red peppers and penne in a creamy teese sauce. Then we tried the Impossible Burger which features veganaise and vegan mozzarella that is so delicious that it melts in your mouth. Finally, we tried the Cajun Impossible Tacos which featured corn tortillas, red cabbage, pico de gallo, and ground and flavored impossible meat served alongside vegan Spanish rice. The tacos were spicy, hearty and extremely filling.


Finally, we ended the night with dessert and a drink. We chose the Sweet Potato Caramel Brownie that was made at Safflower Street, a local vegan bakery. This delightful treat featured a chocolate and almond butter base topped with sweet potato caramel and homemade vegan marshmallows. This dessert paired perfectly with the vegan flaming Spanish coffee, which includes vegan whipped creme.


The vegan menu is well thought out, tasty and filling. The portions are hearty and so is the food. Plus, they have a full regular menu that includes monthly specials like Lobster Tails during Lent. This is the perfect place to go with a group because they can cater to everyone's dietary needs, including that friend who will only eat chicken tenders and fries!


Terry's Terrace is open 7 days a week (yes, they have brunch on Sundays), you can learn more about them by following them on Facebook here. Every month their specials change and their menu is constantly evolving. Plus, we forgot to mention ,they have a great game room and a heated smoking patio! We highly suggest stopping in the next time you are on the East Side, this is a must taste!


~S 


Checking in with Propagandhi + Ticket Giveaway

Propagandhi has been one of the most of the most politically charged bands of our time. They formed in 1986 and have never stopped resisting. They champion veganism and are anti-human rights violations, sexism, racism, nationalism, homophobia, imperialism, capitalism and organized religion.  They recently released a new album called Victory Lap and are heading out on tour in Trump's America.

We got a chance to ask singer Chris Hannah a few questions via email and his responses warmed our heart. Not because they were positive or offered a message of hope, but because they were real, something that unlike most bands, Propagandhi has always managed to be.


Personal Intro:
"Hello! My legal name is Jesus H. Chris and I’m a 47 year old dad. Would you like to know more? Me neither."

HID- What's your favorite part about going out on tour with the band?

Chris Hannah- "I particularly enjoy the constant background dread of the imminent societal collapse and what it means for my young children, as we traipse about the planet farting on each other in a van."

HID- What song off of Victory Lap are you most excited about playing live?
Chris Hannah-"What’s that one? You know the one I mean? “duka duh na na na naaaahhh, duka duh na na na naaaahhh, dun neer neer neer, beow neer neer neer” You know that one? that one."

HID- How do you prepare to go on the road?
Chris Hannah- "My usual routine is 72 straight hours of a “blue skies in, gray skies out” mantra."

HID- How do you feel about touring the states during the Trump Presidency?
Chris Hannah- "Trump is the logical conclusion of “civilization”. I used to think primitivists were a joke. I do not anymore."

HID- What are the most important issues currently keeping you up at night?
Chris Hannah- "See above."

HID- How do you keep your fire burning, How do you stay motivated to be politically active?
Chris Hannah- "I’m running on embers at best at this point and have very little meaningful political engagement beyond trying to raise two young children in this dingbat society."

HID- Is there anything you would like our readers to know?
Chris Hannah-"“Civilization” itself is the problem. we are intentionally disconnected and discouraged from our natural, spiritual states in order to entrench the wealth and power of the relative few."


Propagandhi will be coming to Detroit to play the Magic Stick on Sunday, March 4th. Iron Chic and La Armada are opening the show and tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. You can purchase advance tickets here.  Or you can enter to win a pair of tickets to the show courtesy of Black Iris Booking. To enter to win, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #resist. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and they will get to attend with a friend for free! 



~S

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Hungry for Brunch? Head to PJ's Lager House!

You already know that PJ's Lager House is a great place to see a show. Well, they also serve up an amazing brunch every Saturday and Sunday! They have a ton of options to choose from, including vegan meals. Take a look inside with Hip in Detroit and Obscura Broadcasting Company



~C&S

Friday, February 23, 2018

Oh Hi, "The Room" is Playing at the Main Art this Weekend

The Room is notoriously known as the worst movie ever made. Made in 2003, the film was written, directed, produced by and starring Tommy Wiseau. The film mainly centers around the betrayal of Wiseau's character, Johnny, by his fiance and best friend. However, although the plot seems rather straight forward, more often than not, The Room's audience is left wondering what they just spent the last hour and a half watching.

Although The Room has been quite popular over the years, with a cult following, the movie went mainstream this past year when James Franco released The Disaster Artist, a film based on the book that told the story behind The Room and the making of the movie. Wiseau began appearing on late night and day time talk shows alongside Franco, and more and more people knew what The Room is and felt the need to watch this movie.

Well, if you feel the need to watch The Room too, you can catch it on the big screen this weekend at the Main Art Theatre. The theatre will be playing The Room as their Midnight Madness movie this weekend, on Friday and Saturday night. Tickets for the show are only $7 and can be purchased in advance here. You probably want to pick up your tickets in advance because even though this might be the worst movie of all time, it's so bad that it's good, and we would be surprised if these showings don't sell out. To purchase your tickets in advance, click here.



~C

Win Tickets to see LP with Kat Cunning and Noah Kahan

New York native LP (Laura Pergolizzi) has been in the music industry for nearly two decades, but for many of those years she wasn't the one on stage. She wrote songs for some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Cher, The Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera and even Rihanna. Although she has been writing music for years, and did release some records of her own, it wasn't until 2016 when she released her first EP on a major label, Death Valley on Vagrant Records. That release was followed up by the LP Lost on You, released by the same label. Check out the music video for the title track below.


LP is currently out on tour and will be making her way to the stage at The Majestic Theatre this Sunday, February 25th. Joining her on the bill are Noah Kahan and Kat Cunning. Tickets to see these three artists perform live are $22 and can be purchased in advance here. Thanks to our friends at AEG, we are also giving away a pair of tickets to this show. If you would like to enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #LP in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Sunday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and the music starts at 8. For more info, click here.


~C

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Win Tickets to See American Nightmare at The Magic Stick

Boston Hardcore band American Nightmare just released a new album last week! The self-titled record is the band's first release in over 15 years. They first rose to popularity in the scene back in the early 2000's with their self titled EP in 2000 followed up by their first studio full length release, Background Music, released in 2001 by Equal Vision. Their run lasted a few years before the band parted ways, and then reunited in 2011. But now, with the new release out, American Nightmare is hitting the road and playing shows throughout the US and Canada before they head over to the UK and Europe this Spring.

American Nightmare is headed to Detroit and to play  the Magic Stick this Saturday, February 24th. Joining them on the bill are No Warning and Spiritual Cramp. Tickets for the show are $23 and can be purchased in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show, courtesy of Black Iris Booking. To enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #nightmare in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and will send them details on how to claim their prize.




~C

Win Tickets to See Lil Xan at El Club

This Saturday night, Lil Xan will be taking over El Club in Detroit! Lil Xan broke onto the scene last year with his hit song "Betrayed". The song made it to the Billboard Hot 100, a pretty impressive accomplishment for a debut single. Check out the music video for "Betrayed" below.


Now you get a chance to see this heart breaker perform live when he brings the Xanarchy tour to town this weekend. Lil Xan will be joined by Steven Cannon $C, for a night that we're sure will be awesome. Tickets for this show are sold out, but thanks to our friends at El Club and Party Store Productions we are giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky winner. To enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #xan in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Saturday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

All ages are welcome for this one and doors are set to open at 8 p.m. For more info, click here.


~C

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

24 Hour Ticket Giveaway: Khemmis at The Loving Touch

This Thursday night, Black Iris Booking is bringing Khemmis to town! The band is currently on tour in support of their latest release, A Conversation with Death and they are making their way to The Loving Touch tomorrow night. They will be joined by 1000 Yard Stare, Golden Torso and Bubak. Check out this trailer for Khemmis' tour to get pumped for the show!


Tickets for Thursday's show are $14 in advance and can be purchased here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show from Hip in Detroit and Black Iris Booking. To enter to win, send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #khemmis in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Thursday morning and they will get in the door with a friend for free that night. 

Doors are set to open at 8 p.m. for this one and all ages are welcome. 


~C

Reuther Wants to Make Sure that You Don't Miss "Last Call"

One of my favorite ways to beat the winter blues is to listen to some uplifting music that reminds me that better times are ahead. Reuther's new LP is one of those uplifting albums that will help pull you out of your funk and get you dancing your way into the summer. Yesterday, they released a new song and music video for the single "Last Call" off their impending LP Like a Ghost, and they will be breaking in the new Sancturary in Hamtramck on April 28th at their album release show. But for now, we reached out to Dan and Jimmy to find out more about the band, the album, and where they plan to go from here. Check out what they had to say and then give their new single a listen. It's the perfect dose of pop punk to cheer you up and help you beat the winter blues!


HID- Where did the band name Reuther come from?
Dan- "Our name comes from Walter P. Reuther, The Labor Union leader of the mid 20th century. He was a big deal with United Auto Workers (UAW), which obviously had a huge presence in Detroit. In fact, I-696 is named after him."
Jimmy- "We felt like the name is unique and has a great tie to the city. So many hours logged between the three of us on that freeway."

HID- Why did you decide to release this LP with Ontario based Get Party Records?
Dan- "Well, they've had many great releases of bands we know, Specifically Snacks? and Wasted Potential. It was a very long process speaking with numerous labels and so many getting rejections or just non-responses and those guys really dug us from the beginning and wanted to make it happen. I do have to also give credit to our Publicist, Lauren Mills (https://www.millsonwheelspr.com/). She did a lot of great work for one of my other bands, Splitters, and we're excited to work with her again. She always manages to get the bands she represents on great publications."
Jimmy- "The Get Party guys have been really supportive and it felt like a good fit. It's more so of a co-release though with Get Party pushing it in Canada and our own company that we started, Too Hype! Music, handling the US side of things."

HID- Where did you record the new LP?
Dan- "Our record was recorded last year at Drifting Sun Studios in Ferndale. Our good friend Chuck Huber runs the place and does excellent work. His other recent records were with Cheapshow and Due North. He's also just a great friend of ours - He officiated my wedding! Also, it was mastered at Drive Studios in Ontario - Great studio that has done work with my favorite band, The Flatliners - Which is why we went with them."
Jimmy- "Chuck does great work and I'm proud of the things he's done with Drifting Sun. It's relaxing to record with one of your best friends. I think at times we over stayed our welcome though lol."

HID- Were the songs written when you went in the studio or did you create them while you were there?
Dan- "Little bit of both, the songs were definitely "done" before we got in there, but as it often goes, things like lyrics needed some twerking and some other minor things needed to be banged out. All in all, the songs ended up sounding how we intended before we got in there."
Jimmy- "The structure of the songs were all there, but there are a couple that I revamped lyrically during the process. It really worked out well and am excited for people to hear the album."

HID- How would you describe the bands writing process, who usually starts things off and how do you turn that into a song?
Dan- "Jim usually comes to us like, "Hey check out this riff" and we play it and, like, an hour or so later we have a general structure done and just tweak it from there. Lyrics usually come after. After playing it at rehearsals and adding lyrics, the initial structure is about 70% what it was previously was with all the changes. It works for us!"
Jimmy- "I'd describe the process as relaxed. Usually I'll bring a guitar part to the guys, sometimes with a lyric idea, and then we'll just jam on it to see where it ends up. Jordan and Dan throw in their ideas and then the song just starts to morph."

HID- Do you plan to tour when this album is released?

Dan- "Absolutely. We have numerous release shows getting booked in Grand Rapids, Kzoo, Detroit and London, ON (That's where our label is located). Getting tours set when you're more or less starting out like this can be difficult, but we've done it before and we'll do it again. Jim, Jordan and I toured a lot before together with previous bands."

HID- Will you do a big local release show?

Dan- "April 28th at the NEW Sanctuary in Hamtramck. Our good friend Maxxwell is putting us up for it and is very excited to have us - I'm really fuckin' stoked to see his new place. The way he talks about it, it will be amazing. By that time, we'll have Vinyl pressed and the record will be full on out for everyone to enjoy. We're still getting a few details confirmed and will announce more about it in the coming weeks."

HID- What's your personal favorite track of the LP and why?
Dan- "Oooooo.... hard one. I'll give you two. First off, 'Tuxedos and Jet Skis'. The name comes from the P.Diddy video where he literally is being a baller and riding a jet ski in a tuxedo. When Jim and I first put the song together, we just kept asking ourselves "How would Diddy do this?" and laughing about the concept in general. We have a grand concept for a video for it, in which we will also be riding jet skis in tuxedos on Lake St. Clair or something. That will take some generous funding, hopefully Diddy will come through. Secondly, I really love the song "Last Call". It's just a blast of a song, pretty short and just doesn't fuck around. It was also quite difficult to record on my part... It's just really fast. But as far as how it turned out, I'm really happy with it." 
Jimmy- "That's tough to pick just one. For me it's between "So Predictable" and "Last Call" because I can relate to them a lot lyrically. I feel like these songs are a good representation of our growth as a band too."

HID- What song are you most looking forward to playing live?

Dan- "In general, just all of it. Some of these songs we've never played live before, just at rehearsal and in studio. If they go half as well as they did in Studio, I'll be quite happy."
Jimmy- "I agree with Dan, all of them. We grew up on energetic pop punk and feel these songs capture that vibe."


HID- Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
Dan- "My car has caught on fire on numerous occasions and I don't really know what to do about it. Advice would be appreciated."
Jimmy- "I have no advice for Dan. Someone please help him!"




~S

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Hip in Detroit Talks All Things Hamtramck Music Fest on Our Next Podcast

Flyer by Chris Jarvis
This Sunday, February 25th your favorite hip ladies will once again be going live on the air at PodcastDetroit.com to talk all things hip. This month's podcast will focus on all things Hamtramck Music Fest with some of the artists that will be playing this year's festival. This includes Frances Harrington and Jimmy Walkup from Brother Son, David Thoel from LNSP and Bave, Adam and Zee from Tart and Chris Jarvis from Ancient Language (and Obscura Broadcasting). We will also have Lee Majors with us at some point.

So, mark your calendars to tune in live at 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. this Sunday. You can also email us with a question or two if you would like. Please email all questions to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #podcast. We will read them on the air while we talk all things Hamtramck Music Fest. You can listen live by visiting PodcastDetroit.com. We never know what studio we are going to be in until we get there, so make sure you are following us on Instagram so you can find out how to listen the day of the show!


~S

Win Tickets to See Big Gigantic at The Masonic Temple

This Saturday, February 24th AEG and The Crofoot have teamed up to bring the Got The Love Tour to town, featuring Big Gigantic, The Floozies, and Shallou to The Masonic Temple. After all the cold nights and pounds of snow that we have endured this winter, this will be the best way to warm up and get your blood moving again. This electronic, hip-hop and jazz-infused night will no doubt be one to remember.

Tickets to attend the tour are $29.50. You can purchase advance tickets here or you can try your luck and enter to a win a pair of tickets to the show courtesy of AEG. To enter to win, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #love. We will draw one lucky person this Saturday morning and they will get to attend the show with a friend for free.


~S

Monday, February 19, 2018

Celebrate Black History Month in Detroit

Black History Month was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It was adopted as a national month-long celebration in 1976 and is celebrated throughout the country in many different ways throughout the month of February. Here in Detroit, many of the galleries and museums are celebrating by hosting Black History Month events.  But, the month is almost over! So if you haven't had a chance to celebrate this holiday, here are few fun ways that you can honor the history of the black experience. 

African American History Day
Feb. 24th 10 am - 4 pm 
Cost: Free for all

Oh Ananse! by the Detroit Puppet Theater
Feb. 25th 2 pm
Cost: $15/adults, $10/kids

African History Month
Feb. 22nd - 25th 1 pm - 3pm Thursday - Sunday
Cost: $14/adults, $11/ages 2-12, free/under age 2

Detroit Institute of Arts
Black History Month
All month Long
Open: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (closed Mondays)
Cost: Free/Macomb, Oakland and Wayne county residents; others: $14/adults, $9/seniors, $8/college students with ID, $6/ages 6-17, free/kids 5 and under

Henry Ford Museum
Celebrate Black History Event
Feb. 21st - 25th  9:30 am - 5 pm daily
Cost: Free admission with museum ticket: $23/ages 12-61, $17.25/ages 3-11, $21/ages 62-plus, free/kids 2 and under; $6/parking


~S

Win Tickets to See Majid Jordan at The Majestic this Saturday


In October of 2017 Majid Jordan released their second album called The Space Between. They also were sampled on "For Free", on DJ Khaled's ultra-successful Major Key album.  Now, the duo is headed out a world tour that is making a stop at the Majestic Theatre to play alongside Stwo this Saturday, February 24th

Tickets to attend the show are $30.50 in advance and they can be purchased here. You can also win a pair of tickets to the show courtesy of AEG Presents. To enter to win,  please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #jordan. We will draw one lucky winner on Saturday morning and they will get to attend the show with a friend for free.

~S

Friday, February 16, 2018

Win Tickets to See the Gin Blossoms

The Gin Blossoms are a low key hit-making machine whose Sunday night show at St. Andrew's is going to be an endless loop of sing-along bangers that quickly make you realize how huge they were.  Their first single "Hey Jealousy" boosted them into the public eye in 1992 and they stayed on the Billboard charts for most of the 90's, bagging out tracks like "Follow You Down", "Until I Fall Away",  "Till I hear It From You", and "Found Out About You". They even appeared in two of my favorite 90's films, Empire Records and Wayne's World 2. Their 25-year-old album New Miserable Experience is solid from start to finish and will be played in full at this Sunday's show. 

Tickets to attend the event are $25 to $50 in advance and they can be purchased here. You can also win a pair of tickets to the show courtesy of Live Nation Detroit. To enter to win, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #heyjelousy. We will draw one lucky person on Sunday morning and they will get to attend the show with a friend for free.  


~S

Win Tickets to See Double Winter Open for Palms at Marble Bar

Its been recently brought to my attention that a lot of people don't realize how important opening acts are. Admittedly, I myself forgot how important and valuable they are so I made a promise to start getting my ass there early. Opening acts are bands on their way up. Opening bands are usually newer and have something different or interesting to offer. They are there to get the crowd going and if they are really good, they are there to gain some fans and become headlining acts themselves someday. If you really want to know whats happening in music, you go see the opening bands. A lot of times those bands might have even been chosen by the band that you are there to see, so there is a good chance you are going to dig them.

That's why we are encouraging you to head up to the PALM show at Marble Bar a little earlier to see Detroit's own Double Winter on Monday night. We recently saw them open for Handgrenades and they were really good. Tickets to attend the show are $12 in advance and $14 at the door, you can purchase them online here. Or, you can enter to win a pair of tickets to the show courtesy of Party Store Productions. If you would like to enter to win, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #gotothewholeshow. Then, make sure that if you win, you get up to Marble Bar early and enjoy the whole show to get more music for your money!


~S

Get Classy for FREE at the DSO with The Andrew Alden Ensemble TONIGHT

Looking for something cultured, classy and free to do this Friday? How about watching an assortment of famous silent French Films brought to life by the Andrew Alden Ensemble! The DSO is hosting a month-long French Festival that includes tons of different events inside The Orchestra Hall and The Cube.
The Andrew Alden Ensemble features a variety of instruments including percussion, synthesizer, piano, violin, viola and electronic production. This Friday's live performance is FREE to all and will run from 10:30 p.m. until midnight. The films will all be from different genres and will mostly focus on the cinema of the 1920's, the Andrew Alden Orchestra will be playing 100% original material. YOU MUST reserve a seat to attend tonight's event and you can do that now by clicking here.


~S

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Win Tickets to See John Maus at El Club

This past fall, John Maus released a new album Screen Memories. Now the band is out on tour in support of the new release. John Maus will be headed to Detroit to perform at El Club this Saturday, February 17th. Check out the music video for the song "The Combine" off the new album then read ahead to find out how you can win tickets to the Detroit show.


John Maus will be joined by Gary War for Saturday's show. Tickets for the show are $13 in advance or $15 at the door. You can pick up your tickets in advance here.

You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show by emailing your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #maus in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Saturday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors are set to open at 8 p.m. on Saturday and all ages are welcome.


~C 

Bill Grogan's Goat Performs at The Parliament Room

This weekend, Detroit's own Celtic Rock band, Bill Grogan's Goat, will be performing live at The Parliament Room. The band released their highly anticipated third album this past fall. Third Eye has been receiving awesome reviews across the board. You can give the album a listen and pick up your copy here.

Bill Grogan's Goat will be joined by Rio & The Rockabilly Revival this weekend. Tickets for the show are only $15 and can be purchased in advance here. Doors are set to open at 8 p.m. and 21+ are welcome. The Parliament Room is located inside Otus Supply in Ferndale, on 9 Mile just east of Woodward. Do yourself a favor and head to the venue early to have dinner at Otus Supply before the show!

For more info on this show, head over to the Facebook event page here. Make sure you also head over and give Bill Grogan's Goat a "like" on Facebook here to stay in the loop on their upcoming shows. March is always a busy month for The Goat! So keep an eye out for some upcoming show announcements soon!


~C

Check Out Kimball with The Doozers and Patty Hype

We've been hearing a lot about Kimball over the last couple of months. They are five piece band from the Royal Oak area that our friends have been raving about. The band describes their sound as a "laid back feel similar to Bon Iver and Alt-J with the upbeat energy of Hippo Campus". Give their debut release Guns a listen below to decide for yourself. Keep an eye out for new music from Kimball this spring too!


If you want to check Kimball out live, head to The Loving Touch this Friday night! They will be opening up for The Doozers and Patty Hype. Cover for this show is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to the show by sending your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #LT in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Friday morning and they will get in the door with a friend for free that night. 

This is a great chance to see some bands you may not have heard of yet! Check out songs from The Doozers and Patty Hype, then make your way to The Loving Touch this Friday night! 




~C

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Win Tickets for an Out of this World Show with Mac Sabbath and Galactic Empire

If you love Big Macs and Boba Fett, The Crofoot is the place to be this Friday night! The venue will be bringing two infamous bands to their stage for one crazy night, Mac Sabbath and Galactic Empire.

Mac Sabbath plays what they like to refer to as "Drive-Thru Metal". They play your favorite Black Sabbath songs, but transform them to sing about their favorite fast food restaurant. Makes sense, since the singer has a striking resemblance to Ronald McDonald, while his bands mates take fashion cues from The Hamburgler, Grimace and Mayor McCheese. Check out the music video for Mac Sabbath's hit song "Pair-a-Buns".


On the other hand, Galactic Empire takes your favorite songs from Star Wars and turns them into metal masterpieces. The band wears movie quality costumes while they rock out to songs like "The Imperial March", "Duel of the Fates", and the Star Wars theme song. This band is any Star Wars lovers dream come true! Check out Galactic Empire's version of "The Imperial March" to see what we mean.


Tickets to see these two awesome bands live and in person are only $18 in advance and can be purchased here. The night of the show, tickets will be $20 at the door. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to this awesome show by sending your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #MacEmpire in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner on Friday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize. 

All ages are welcome to attend this one and doors are set to open at 7 p.m.


~C


24 Hour Ticket Giveaway: DVSN at The Majestic Theatre

Dvsn has been making its way from the West Coast to the East Coast on the Morning After Tour. The tour is in support of the album by the same name, which is the second studio release for this R&B artist. Check out the music video for "Mood" off Morning After below.


This Thursday night you have a chance to see Dvsn live at The Majestic Theatre in Detroit. Tickets for the show are $27.50 and can be purchased in advance here. You can also enter to win a pair of tickets to this show by emailing your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with #dvsn in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and they will get in the door with a friend for free that night, courtesy of Hip in Detroit and AEG Live Detroit. 

Doors are set to open at 8 p.m. on Thursday. All ages are welcome.


~C


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Head to Hamtramck to Party and Get Your Paczki!

Paczki is a word that not everyone around the world knows, but here in Metro Detroit, it's rare to find someone that doesn't know what paczki are! Some may just consider them jelly doughnuts, but they're so much more. After all, people don't party like crazy for national doughnut day, but they definitely do for Paczki Day!

This Tuesday, February 13th is Paczki Day. People throughout the area will be lining up at their favorite bakery and feasting on these delicious pieces of fried dough stuffed with their favorite filling. Sure, you can head to your local grocery store and pick up a box, but for those that want the most authentic paczki around, they head to Hamtramck. And while they're there, they most likely will stick around to party! This holiday has grown into so much more that a day to stuff your face with these tasty treats. The City of Hamtramck turns into a giant party, full of live music, drinks, and great food. Bars all around town will be hosting their own Paczki Day parties, but everyone knows the best party of them all is at Small's!

Everyone's favorite corner bar in Hamtramck will be the only bar around featuring paczki bombs; paczki filled with not only jelly or custard, but also with booze! These deliciously sinful treats are one of a kind and sell out every year! So if you want a paczki bomb, make sure you get to Small's early! If you just want to party, the party will be going all day and night. There will be great drink specials, Polish food and live music starting at 4 p.m. The bands will be playing in both rooms and the lineup includes:

4-4:45 p.m. Eastside Elvis & The Motor City Mafia (main room)
4:45-5:15 p.m.: Colonels of the Urinal (bar room)
5:15-6 p.m.: Eastside Elvis & The Motor City Mafia (main)
6:30-7:30 p.m.: the Polka Floyd show (main)
7:30-8 p.m.: Colonels of the Urinal (bar)
8:00-9 p.m.: the Polka Floyd Show (main)
9:20 p.m.-?: The Bon Johnsons (main)

Small's will also be debuting their own beer this Paczki Day, the Small's Sto Lat Lager from Brew Detroit. So get to Small's early and stay late! Doors will open at 10 a.m. and the bar will stay open until 2. For all of the details on Paczki Day at Small's, click here
While you're in Hamtramck, there are a few other parties that you might want to swing by. 

Whiskey In The Jar will have two bars, one inside and one outside. They will also have live music, Polish food and a Shot Ski. For more info click here

Down the street at New Dodge you can check out sets from St. Thomas Boys Academy, The Polish Muslims and Jotown. They will also have Polish food and drink specials. Click here to find out more. 

Across the alley at The Painted Lady the doors will open at 7 a.m.! Pietrzyk Pierogi will be serving food from Noon until 4 p.m. then Boboville comes in with some awesome tacos, including vegan options. Make sure you get there early because the first 20 people through the door get a free record! Head over to the Facebook event page for more info. 

And last but not least on our list of honorable mentions is Outer Limits. They will be serving up pierogi and brews while Craig Brown and Kelly Jean Caldwell rock out on stage with their bands. For more info click here


So if you weren't already convinced, it's pretty clear that Hamtramck is the place to be this Paczki Day! So get down there and party your little paczki off from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.! Eat, drink and be merry, after all Lent starts on Wednesday! (And we know how holy all of you are!)


~C

LIT Vegan Kitchen wants to Help You Go Plant Based

Towards the end of 2017 I decided to transition to a plant-based diet. By the time 2018 had rolled around, I had tapered off all meat and dairy and officially began my journey as a vegan. Over the last two months, I have learned  LOT about food and found new ways to eat some of my favorite dishes, including finally finding a coffee creamer substitute that met my needs (shout out to Trader Joes and So Delicious for coming through).  But, the most important thing that I have learned is that going vegan is a process. First, you start cutting things out and then you start adding new things in. I have also discovered that I have a long way to go on my journey, so I have started exploring and asking around to learn more.

One of the first people I reached out to is Lea Addington, a vegan chef that owns a company called LIT Vegan Kitchen. Her meal prep and cooking services can help anyone transition to a plant-based diet. So, I reached out to find out more about her personal journey and her company's services. Check out what she has to say and consider incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet!
HID- Why did you decide to switch to a plant-based diet?
Lea Addington- "Based on the knowledge and information that has been made available to me via studying and independent research. Veganism is the healthiest, most ethical and least damaging to the environment. There have been several studies and examples illustrating the positive effects of a whole-food, plant-based diet including lessening the chances of dying from the leading causes of preventable death and contracting such illnesses as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure."

HID- Do you feel like switching to this diet has changed your life in any way? How?
Lea Addington- "Changing my diet has affected my life in so many wonderful ways! Physically, I feel more energetic, less sluggish, and lighter on my feet. In fact, I’ve lost 35lbs through my transition. Mentally, I am more aware of myself and my thoughts. When eating an animal-based diet, my ideas would be cloudy or would come and go. Changing to a plant-based diet allowed for a better fluidity of manifestation. Before I transitioned to a plant-based diet, my emotional reactions to events and situations in my life were much more intense. I found myself more “hangry” (hungry & angry) haha; however, now, I’m more carefree, humble, and less likely to find myself hungry or “hangry”. When you control what you eat and the energy you’re absorbing through your food, emotional control ties into my overall spiritual growth. With a heightened awareness, emotional and mental connectivity, and a clean and efficiently running body, I have a greater connection to my spirit and where it leads me in life."

HID- Was it hard to make the switch?
Lea Addington- "Hard? I wouldn’t say hard, but it does take discipline to change a lifestyle you’ve become accustomed to for such a long period of time. I started my transition years ago initially with red meat. Then, I shifted from pescatarian (only fish and some dairy), to vegetarian, then quickly into veganism/plant-based. For me, it wasn’t and isn’t just about the food. I’ve also changed the products I use at home such as body/face wash, toothpaste, and deodorant. These products have been found to have high aluminum and fluoride content which have been proven to cause cancer; more specifically breast cancer in women, and negatively affect brain function. Once I learned this information and experienced the difference in not using the chemicals on and in my body, and the effects of meat and dairy on the body, along with considering animal and environmental cruelty, my decision was easy to make and discipline followed suit."

HID- Do you ever miss meat or dairy?
Lea Addington- "Not at all! In all honesty, most people who eat an animal-based diet think their body is craving the taste of meat or even the “protein”, in all actuality, your taste buds and senses react to the taste and smell of seasonings. Plus, there are so many varieties of fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, etc, why limit your palate?!"

HID- What is your favorite egg substitute?
Lea Addington- "Typically, we use flax eggs as a substitute in our meals (mix ground flax meal and water in 2:1 ratio). However, depending on the recipe we may use mashed fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes or bananas."

HID- What are some staples that all vegans need to have in their homes to make the switch?
Lea Addington- "The plant-based diet encompasses heavy portions of leafy greens (such as spinach, collards, and/or chard) and plenty of fruits and vegetables, of all colors. Transitioning vegans should also have varieties of seeds and nuts, which are full of fibrous content! Also, chickpeas (Garbanzo beans) are a very versatile legume. They can really make it easy to create meals of different textures and flavors. You can roast them and enjoy as a snack, on top of a salad, or mash them and make mock meats such as tuna or meatless meatballs. There are so many options! Personally, my two favorite items to have in the kitchen are chickpeas and sweet potatoes!"

HID- How do you help your clients switch to a plant-based diet?
Lea Addington- "LIT Vegan Kitchen provides its clients with meal preparation services to make their transition to a plant-based diet and lifestyle convenient and affordable. Provide resources to assist those in search of options outside of the standard American diet."

HID- How does your meal prep work?
Lea Addington- "We provides our clients with 3-4 entree combinations for the week that are packed and ready-to-go, containing delicious, cruelty-free plant-based food. Our services are available to those aspiring to transition to a plant-based diet, those who are unsure about how to go vegan, and those who are simply looking for a cleaner and healthier diet. We strive to make our services available to everyone wishing to explore the plant-based diet and lifestyle in a convenient and affordable way."

HID- Do you cater?
Lea Addington- "Currently, we do not offer catering services; however, we do offer family style entrees by order only. Our most requested entree is the vegan lasagna made with our almond herbed “ricotta” and special tomato sauce."

HID- Do you teach others how to cook?
Lea Addington- "LIT Vegan Kitchen currently offers in-home cooking classes to assist you in putting together a menu and learning how to make basic meal combinations to support your transition."

HID- Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
Lea Addington- "My best advice for your readers: learn what you can from others, research for yourself, then, make an informed and emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually backed decision that you are committed to. Doing these things should help challenge any preconceived ideas surrounding the plant-based lifestyle and offer a greater security for their decision to change. The most common comment that I hear is that “it’s hard”, but in reality, the hardest part is doing something you don’t understand or support fully. So inform yourselves!"


Contact LIT Vegan Kitchen and make a change to plant based today!

~S