Michigander - Michigander

Artiest/Band: Michigander Album: Michigander Release:  07 Februari Format: CD/LP Label: Thirty Tigers / Mattan Records De titelloze plaat werd voorafgegaan door een reeks singles die inzichtelijke songschrijfstijl demonstreerden, wat resulteerde in nummers die comfortabel op het kruispunt van indie en rock zitten. Van het persoonlijke tot het hymnische, Michigander legt de angst, frustratie en vrees van ons huidige moment vast op een manier die maar al te herkenbaar en urgent is......

De titelloze plaat werd voorafgegaan door een reeks singles die Singers(frontman man van Michigander) openhartige maar inzichtelijke songschrijfstijl demonstreerden, wat resulteerde in nummers die comfortabel op het kruispunt van indie en rock zitten. Van het persoonlijke tot het hymnische, Michigander legt de angst, frustratie en vrees van ons huidige moment vast op een manier die maar al te herkenbaar en urgent is.

https://www.michiganderband.com/

BIO

A lot can happen in the span of a decade. There will be weddings, graduations, funerals, births, and all manner of changes.

The last decade has seen Michigander quietly emerge as a 21^st century troubadour whose deft balance of rock energy, alternative adventurousness, and heart-on-his-sleeve songcraft continues to endear audiences and tastemakers alike. Born in Michigan and based in Nashville, singer, songwriter, and producer Jason Singer has steadily progressed one gig and release at a time. He has tallied over 100 million streams across his Midland EP [2018], Where Do We Go From Here EP [2019], and Everything Will Be OK Eventually EP [2021]. Among many highlights, “Misery” notably gathered 17.5 million Spotify streams, while “Let Me Down” crossed 10.7 million Spotify streams. During 2023, It Will Never Be The Same EP arrived to high critical praise. NPR applauded, “It’s impossible not to root for Singer, whose mix of optimism and vulnerability in his music has been one of indie rock’s most exciting stories in the last few years.” Beyond The Stage attested, “Listening to this EP will give you a good idea of why Michigander is a rising star.” Along the way, he graced the bills of festivals such as Lollapalooza and shined as the rare outlier equally comfortable alongside either Silversun Pickups or Pete Yorn.

However, he truly steps into his own on his self-titled full-length debut album, Michigander [Thirty Tigers].

“The last ten years were awesome,” he says. “Everything built up to this point though. To make an analogy, the EPs were like television episodes of my story, and the album is the movie version. It’s blown up on the big screen. I’m just getting started, but this is my introduction to the world.”

Throughout a busy 2024, he crafted what would become Michigander. Inspired by the likes of TV On The Radio, Blur, Idles, and The National, he embraced a newfound confidence and continued to sonically break down boundaries, taking his time.

“I didn’t rush it,” he says. “I feel like Michigander is the first time I made something completely for myself from top to bottom. I wasn’t chasing anything. I was able to throw paint at the wall and make what I wanted to make. I learned to trust myself, take charge of my life, and  be okay with who I am.”

In this headspace, he recorded in Nashville with GRAMMY® Award-nominated producer Jeremy Lutito [Joy Oladokun, Angie McMahon, NEEDTOBREATHE]. Lutito provided both the perfect sounding board for ideas and a source of encouragement. “We wrote a lot of the material together, so it was helpful to create and record in the same place,” he goes on. “Jeremy will chase ideas. If it doesn’t work, everything’s totally fine. In the past, I was always dealing with deadlines to finish quickly. He gave me the room to try things. It’s a process I’d never experienced before. I can’t imagine doing the next record any other way.”

Jason kickstarts this era with the lively lead single “Giving Up.” Originally penned during a day trip to a cabin, the core guitar riff tumbles through steady claps and resounding piano. The momentum swings towards a buoyant and bold refrain, “You’re wearing me thin. You broke me down and now I’m caving in. I’m giving up trying to make you happy.” A loose guitar solo wails over the bridge and tops off the track.

“I left the cabin after I wrote the song, because I was so excited,” he laughs. “It’s an anthem for the people pleasers who are always trying to make other folks happy. They go to great lengths to make things work out in situations where it’s really not worth their time or good for their mental health. It’s a special song for me, because it’s self-referential.”

The opener “Broadcast” layers his nuanced vocal delivery over strains of soft piano and an off-kilter guitar groove. From the jump, he wonders, “Where do we go from here? Swear, I’ve asked this once before.” Another first, saxophone swoons in the middle of the song, giving it another flavor altogether.

“It’s a slight commentary,” he reveals. “It talks about existing as an American who has a lot of horrible things happening around them, but when you zoom out, there’s really not much to complain or be upset about. The line ‘Welcome to the broadcast’ was a cool way to begin the record. I think of the sax as a little homage to Bruce Springsteen.”

Then, there’s “Letterman.” The bright keyboard line could’ve been ripped right from your favorite nineties late-night talk show, yet the lyrics wrestle with the pace of life, “I love my mom and dad, but I’m sad they’re getting old.”

“It was about being accepting of change and becoming okay with it,” he says. “I used to stay up late every night to watch Letterman on CBS. I wanted to see who the guest was and what bands were playing. Dave is no longer the host, and it’s a sign the world keeps spinning. It sucks when your parents get old, but beautiful things happen during those times too.”

Co-written with Trent Dabbs [Anderson East, COIN], Jason electrifies “Breaker Box” with the chantable chorus, “You don’t have the power; I’m just the breaker box.”

“It’s about not allowing other folks to dictate how you feel,” he elaborates. “Don’t allow the decisions or attitudes of others influence how you make your decisions. You don’t have the power to do anything to me, because I’m the breaker. I’m not going to let you change me.”

Michigander concludes with the heartfelt and hypnotic “Hair.” Through lightly strummed acoustic chords, he exhales, “Your hair is falling out, your hair is changing colors. I hope you never doubt just how much I love you.”

“It’s the most personal tune,” he shares. “My mom had two pretty close health concerns, and it was very traumatic. I want my people to know how much I love them and to never doubt it. Even if you don’t say it all the time, you mean it.”

If the last decade was any indication, Michigander’s music will resonate for a long time to come.

“This album is for anybody who feels like life is moving too fast,” he leaves off. “At one point, it hits you that things aren’t the same. It’s totally fine and okay though. I’m there with you too. I’m trying to figure it out in the music.”