Michigan is perfect growing crops AND musicians! Check out these local bands and artists who are working their way to the top.

Prussia

Hometown: Detroit

Genre: “Bop” or “Tropical” (according to their Facebook and Myspace)

Why you should check them out: They love Detroit! They constantly do shows at home and go out on tour. Their sound isn’t quite calming, but isn’t quite loud and I don’t know that I would quite call it tropical, but it would definitely fit in on the island scene. Definitely an indie band with their own unique style.

Check them out on Facebook or their website.

Tree Hut Kings

Hometown: Ann Arbor and East Lansing, MI

Genre: Jazz/Funk

Why you should check them out: True to the area, Tree Hut Kings constantly play at the Loft in Lansing. This four piece band packs a lot of punch into their groove-inspired songs, and they love to jam!

Check them out on Facebook or their website.

The Satin Peaches

Hometown: Detroit

Genre: Rock

Why you should check them out: Again, lovers of Detroit. But much different sound than the above band. Influenced by classic rock, Satin Peaches add their own modern sound and give a dedicated, energetic show.

Check them out on Facebook or their website.

Abigail Stauffer

Hometown: Ann Arbor

Genre: Acoustic/Folk

Why you should check her out: She’s fresh out of college and it’s not even for music! Linguistics major at U of M, Abigail writes and records her own musics and constantly performs in Michigan. Inspired Regina Spektor and Sufjan Stevens (another homegrown artists), Abigail has a soft and delicate sound with a lot of emotion.

Check her out on Facebook and her website.

Frontier Ruckus

Hometown: Metro Detroit

Genre: “Minutia-Obsessed Memorialism” according to their Facebook, but I’d say acoustic/folk

Why you should check them out: Up and coming and impressing many, Frontier Ruckus recently played a show at the Loft that many students enjoyed. I hear banjo, I hear keyboard, I hear trumpet and many other instruments in their, as they put it, “existential” sound. Very interesting sound, but not in a bad way.

Check them out on Facebook or their website.

Got any homegrown bands that you love to listen to?? Let us know in the comment section below!

Ever been curious about what the guy next to you is listening to on his iPod? Perhaps he’s blasting those headphones and you can already hear it, but chances are, you never will. Here’s a peak at what some of your fellow MSU students are listening to. The list is varied, but if it’s someone’s favorite song, it must be good. Check them out!

1. Bonafied Lovin’ by Chromeo

Apparel and textile senior and TBG associate editor Tess Theisen

Listen!

2. High School Art Class by Pretty Lights

Communications junior Michelle McIntyre

Listen!

3. For the Widows in Paradise, for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti by Sufjan Stevens

James Madison sophomore Evan Martinak

Listen!

4. Getting Jiggy With It by Will Smith

English sophomore Cody Manthei

Listen!

5. Barbra Streisand by Duck Sauce

Journalism senior John Allison

Listen!

6. Furr by Blitzen Trapper

Secondary education sophomore Sofia Kuczer

Listen!

7. Sunrise by Norah Jones

Chemical engineering junior Chelsea McCord

Listen!

8. I’d Lie by Taylor Swift

Packaging engineering freshman Lauren Wilson

Listen!

9. She Said She Said by The Beatles

James Madison freshman Art Klein

Listen!

10. World News by Local Natives

Journalism sophomore Kate Vogel

Listen!

Valentine’s Day is notoriously a divided holiday. Those who are in relationships tend to love it and those who are not, shockingly, tend to despise it and make loud statements to let the world know. Whether you find yourself alone or with your snuggle-puss this Valentine’s Day, here are a few songs to heighten the soundtrack to your evening.

Alone? Sad? Or not sad? Listen to these:

1. Flight of the Conchords — I’m Not Crying
Obviously you’re not torn apart by the love of your life, the apple of your eye, breaking your heart. Why would you be crying?
Listen!

2. Kelly Clarkson — Since U Been Gone
Don’t even deny it–everybody has listened to this song at least once in their life and, even if only for a split second, thought, “Heck yeah my life is the bees knees without you!” (Maybe you used different vocabulary, but you know the feeling just the same).

Listen!

3. The Beatles — Yesterday
Classic and always relatable. Love makes sense till the next day, then you sit there puzzled and wondering what went wrong. This being the most recorded song in history with over 2,500 covers (according to Rolling Stone), you’re not alone.

Listen!

4. A Fine Frenzy — Almost Lover
Okay, if you really are feeling down and just want to cry, listen to this. Singer Alison Sudol has one of those voices that makes you want to crawl up in a ball and sob because she’s saying every word you wish you had thought of yourself and singing it with every torn up feeling. Cry it out, it’s okay.

Listen!

5. Justine Timberlake — Cry Me A River
Maybe you’re alone on V-Day cause you hate that person and want them to suffer. Who knows? JT speaks it well. You don’t do that to JT, and no one does it to you! Cry ME a river!

Listen!

With someone? So happy you want the world to know it? Listen to these:

1. Coldplay — Yellow
This song has a spot on my personal list of perfect songs. The rhythm is just right, it’s not too loud or too soft, and Chris Martin is saying, “You’re so awesome! I love you! So I wrote a song about you! Wow, you!”

Listen!

2. The Beatles — Something
Yes, it’s The Beatles again, but if anyone knows me, I have a problem and won’t ever stop listening to them. “Something” is the second most recorded Beatles song in history, and undeniably so. Excellent, to say the least.

Listen!

3. Vampire Weekend — Run
“It struck me that the two of us should run.” Run away to be in love? Maybe so, but to get away from the loudness and confusion of everyday life. Nice song to listen to regardless of your situation, but nicer when you have someone to run away with.

Listen!

4. Regina Spektor — Us
This one’s a no brainer. Whether you’ve been listening to it since it came out on Soviet Kitsch in 2004, or since 500 Days of Summer came out, it’s lovely either way. Regina belts it on all her songs, and this is one of the few on being in love and purely enjoying it.

Listen!

5. Marvin Gaye — Let’s Get It On
Do I really need to explain this one?

Listen!

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. If you’re looking for something to get yourself into the season, see what other students are listening to, watching, and why they love Christmas!

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”

Buddy the Elf can do it, and so can you! Get your head out of the books and get ready for the holiday season with these classic Christmas tunes!

1. Happy Christmas (War is Over) – John Lennon

Such a positive message, and still relevant today! Lennon’s message continues to hold strong throughout the decades.

Listen!

2. Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby

Classic crooner. Close your eyes and feel the island breeze as you imagine yourself on a Hawaiian beach.

Listen!

3. Last Christmas – Wham

Cheesy, but awesome. Feel the pain in George Michael’s voice; that heart isn’t breaking this year.

Listen!

4. Jingle Bells – Frank Sinatra

Another classic tune with a fun twist. Old Blue Eyes can take a simple song and turn it into something original.

Listen!

5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – James Taylor

Old, bald, but awesome. James’ voice is extremely calming and fits perfectly with this classic song.

Listen!

6. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

Everyone’s favorite! It’s all over the radio every Christmas season and from the interviews in this month’s video, it plays constantly for a reason.

Listen!

7. Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano

Fiesta in the winter! Don’t say you don’t like this one. It’s too catchy and great.

Listen!

8. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt

Sexy and sultry. Clearly what Santa’s looking for.

Listen!

9. The Christmas Song – Christina Aguilera

Oh, those lungs. Miss Christina belts it on her entire Christmas album, and though this one is slightly calmer, it’s still excellent.

Listen!

10. Baby It’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin

For everyone in the video who said they love Elf, this is a must. Zooey Deschannel sing it’s well, too, but Dean Martin will never get old.

Listen!

(Photo credit: Kaleigh Robichaud)

Alyssa here with your monthly playlist! I enjoy editing for Arts & Culture partly because I’m such a huge fan of music from almost all genres. Each month I’ll be providing a themed list of songs with that hopefully catches your interest. Look out next month for a buzzword video — Christmas themed, undoubtedly. Submit your own playlists in the comments section or email TBG to have yours featured! The more music, always the merrier!

This month’s theme: Study Session – Stay focused, stay motivated, stay awake with these tunes!

Black River Killer – Blitzen Trapper  – Listen!

Baby Boomer – Monsters of Folk — Listen!

Rats – Devendra Banhart — Listen!

Samson – Regina Spektor — Listen!

I’ve Just Seen A Face – The Beatles — Listen!

Let’s Stay Together – Al Green — Listen!

Check the Rhime – A Tribe Called Quest — Listen!

Fireworks – Animal Collective — Listen!

I’m Shipping Up to Boston – Dropkick Murphys — Listen!

Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Jimi Hendrix — Listen!