Turn it Down

Hot Mulligan EP release at Mac's Bar

Saturday, Jan. 7 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $10, 6:30 p.m.

Hot Mulligan, a Lansing-based emo/pop-punk quintet, releases its new EP, “Opportunities,” Saturday at Mac’s Bar. Also performing the all-ages show are Kayak Jones, Convenient Trash, Backpacks, Mover Shaker and Forest Green. Originally from the Upper Peninsula, Hot Mulligan recorded its debut, the “Fenton” digital EP, in 2014. The following year, Save Your Generation Records issued a physical edition, and soon after the band members relocated to the Lansing area for college and continued work on their band. Since then, the band dropped its second EP, “Honest and Cunning,” embarked on its first tour and also released a split 7-inch single with fellow emo-punk band Everyone. “Opportunities,” the band’s third EP, was recorded at Oneder Studios in Saginaw. Fans of the Wonder Years, the Front Bottoms or Modern Baseball might want to check out this new disc.

Homegrown Throwdown kicks off with Sierra Denae and more

Friday, Jan. 6 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $12/$10 adv., 6:30 p.m.

Mid-Michigan’s biggest battle-of-the-bands event, the Homegrown Throwdown, has been a fixture in the local music scene for 14 years running, offering up $1,500 in cash and $3,500 in prizes to area bands. Last year, Past Tense took first place, but this year’s roster offers up a whole new batch of contenders. The contest’s first round features 24 bands over four nights, and its first 2017 show is happening Friday. The acts include Sierra Denae, What’s Not Taken, Assume Nothing, Tempest, Blazing Autumn and Strength For Battle. Alt-rock singer/songwriter Sierra Denae has one EP under her belt, “I Still Exist,” and one melodic-rock single, “Beautiful Mask” — both are available on available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. This year, she said, she’s planning to release a new record while continuing to play solo and full-band shows.

Luke Winslow-King at The Robin Theatre

Saturday, Jan. 7 @ The Robin Theatre, 1105 S. Washington Ave., Lansing. All ages, $15, 6:30 p.m.

Bloodshot Records recording artist Luke Winslow-King performs a solo show Saturday at the Robin Theatre in REO Town. The dapper New Orleans-based singer/songwriter is best known for his smoky voice, masterful slide-guitar work and affinity for pre-war blues, traditional jazz and soulful Americana, though he also echoes old-timey gospel and ragtime music. The Brooklyn Vegan music site praised his genuineness, writing: “Luke, with a strong knack for slide guitar, sounds authentic without coming off too dated, and he does it well.” American Songwriter Magazine agreed, calling him “staunchly original.” Originally from Cadillac, Michigan, Winslow-King began performing at age 14 and later earned a diploma from the renowned Interlochen Arts Academy, where he majored in jazz guitar.