Kopelli Album Release Party

This Tuesday, February 4th Lawrence ‘Kopelli’ Young will release his first solo project called Gentleman Jack at The Grasshopper Underground in Ferndale. You may recognize this name from his work with Cold Men Young, he was also the brains behind the first hip hop showcase at The New Dodge during last year's Metro Times Blowout. This latest project features production from The Olympicks, Jay Norm, and Doc Illingsworth, with guest performances from Ryan Spencer (Jamaican Queens), Mister (Passalacqua), Mic Phelps and Mic Write (Cold Men Young).

Microphone Phelps, Mic Write, Macs the Realest, and, our favorite, Passalacqua will also be performing on Tuesday night. The best part is that this entire night of fun and good music is FREE to you. Instead, they ask that you bring a canned good along to donate to R.A.W.S (Ravers Against World Starvation). It's just another way to give back and be thankful for all that we have. The Grasshopper Underground is located at 22757 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale.

~S

Partying, Hip Hop & Food

This Tuesday, October 15th, The Grasshopper Underground and Comfort Food Detroit are joining forces to bring you good music for a good cause. They have recruited Cold Men Young, Josef Coney Island, Nameless Face, DJ Mel Wonder, R.C.U., and Teej to preform for a free event at the Underground. All they ask in return is for those of us that can afford it to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to local families in need. In addition to collecting canned goods they will also be taking used books for the Sit On It Detroit project. It is not necessary to bring a donation to get in the door but it is highly encouraged.

The Grasshopper Underground is located at 22757 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale. The show starts at 9 p.m. And goes until 2 a.m. Time to check out some great hip-hop and give back to the city we love!

~S

Cabin 44 - Not Your Typical Cabin in the Woods

A few months ago Bahamut released their latest album at The Berkley Front and Christie from Hip in Detroit brought along our camera to get some footage for the website. When we got to the show we felt lame taking film on our personal camera when there were huge, high quality cameras shooting from all angles in front of the stage. We were both curious and intrigued. Who owned these fancy cameras and why were they filming Bahamut? After the show we found out that the guys were from a video production company that Aaron Smith and Kyle Gleisner had just recently formed, called Cabin 44. Aaron actually lives in a cabin in Pleasant Ridge, hence the name.  

The duo had just finished up their first music video shoot with Squid The Whale which inspired them to the test the waters with a live band. They first started the company thinking they would shoot sketch comedy, but found that live music and music videos was more their forte. This is their first video with Squid The Whale:

Squid the Whale - the greatest way from Cabin 44 on Vimeo.

Here's the video that the guys shot of Bahamut live at The Berkley Front. It is the closest to a live Bahamut experience that I have ever witnessed! They make a small dimly lit room look like a very cool place to be.

Bahamut Live at the Berkley Front from Cabin 44 on Vimeo.

After having so much success with their first music video and the live shoot, they decided that Cabin 44 would focus on music, specifically local Detroit musicians. Over the course of the next year they shot a music video with  The High Strung, filmed Snakewing live at The Grasshopper Underground, filmed a commercial for Vile featuring Wilson, shot The Summer Pledge live, shot a music video with Duende, and started making monthly videos called "Cabin 44 Presents". You can check out a couple of those below.

CABIN 44 presents JESSE SHEPHERD-BATES from D'ORCHESTRA from Cabin 44 on Vimeo.

Cabin 44 presents Banshee Murmurs from Cabin 44 on Vimeo.

These guys had a very busy first year to say the least and they are already ready to release their first video for 2013 with another local band we have featured called FUR. This video was filmed in one night and tells a story and takes you on a visual journey, as do most of the videos that they shoot. Aaron tried to tell me a bunch of technical terms for what they did in the video, but what really matters is that the video looks and sounds amazing. We have an incredible amount of respect for these guys and what they are doing. Every video is really original, well done, and features some of the best music Detroit has to offer. Take a look at their latest work with FUR and we promise to keep you updated on what these guys do next! 

FUR - Another Satellite from Cabin 44 on Vimeo.

~S

Spend Devil's Night With the Devils in Snakewing

Are you looking to hear some good music and have some cheap drinks this week? If your answer is yes, then I have just the event for you. Tomorrow, October 30th, Snakewing is celebrating their 4th anniversary by headlining a show with special guests The A-Gang, The Armed and DJ Mikey Dufour. 

They are playing at a new (to me) venue called The Grasshopper Underground, which is located at 22757 Woodward Avenue in Ferndale. The doors are at 8 p.m. and there is only a $5 cover for the night. They are running specials on beers throughout the evening to keep your party raging.

Snakewing is heavy, angry music that gets the crowd moving. It is fitting that their anniversary and this show coincided with devils night because they are metal as fuck and represent all the things that you think of when you think of Devil's Night in Detroit. Members Chris, Phil, Kevin and Nick always show us a good time and put on a great show. They also have some of the best merch around so make sure to stop by the table and check it out. I love the shirts that were designed by Shawn Knight of Child Bite. 

The A-Gang is another one of my favorite local bands. They are a little less abrasive than Snakewing, but every bit as interesting. They have more of a punk overtone to their music and lead singer Wedge has always been one of my very favorite front men since his days with Fordirelifesake. They are also known to put on an interesting, energetic and fun live show.

Check out our previous interview with both Snakewing here and The A-Gang here (make links to both) and we hope to see you on Devils night to celebrate the anniversary of Snakewing and the night of the living dead.

~S