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A survey of Lansing's musical landscape

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Hip-hop star at The Loft

One Be Lo (a.k.a. One Man Army) has been a Michigan hip-hop fixture since he started getting noticed for his storytelling rhymes in 1998. That was also when he co-founded the rap duo Binary Star. This Thursday he performs at The Loft along with openers Ricky Rucker, Goodman Brown, GWiz and DJ Ruckus. One Be Lo is supporting his latest albums “K.I.C.K. P.U.S.H.” and “B.A.B.Y.,” which both dropped this year. While the bulk of his songs have been released on his label, Subterraneous Records, his socially conscious lyrics landed him a 2005 release with the notable Fat Beats Records, which released “S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.”

Thursday, Oct. 18 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., $8 advance, $12 day of show, doors 9 p.m.  


You Betta Werk

Thanks to its high-energy live show, The Werks has become a fixture at an assortment of festivals, including the Electric Forest and Hookah in the Hills. The band, which tours rigorously, plays dance music with a jam-band feel, infused with psychedelic/classic rock guitars, funky slap bass and electro. The band plays The Loft Friday, along with openers That Freak Quincy and Animeaux. The Werks has been establishing a growing national fan base, which the band credits largely to the hard work of their street team and ardent fans. Their releases include “Dig It” (2007), “Synapse” (2009) and “The Werks Live at The Werk Out Music Festival” (2010). In April, they released a self-titled album.  

Friday, Oct. 19 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $13 doors, $10 advance, 9 p.m.


Jory Stultz  drops new EP at the Avenue Cafe

Since he parted ways with the Sunset Club, Lansing-based vocalist/pianist/songwriter Jory Stultz has kept busy playing, recording and performing solo. Stultz, who says his sound is heavily influenced by David Bowie, Arcade Fire and Elvis Costello, is dropping a four-song EP called “Out a Window” at The Avenue Café on Saturday. Also performing are Bluffing the Ghosts, Middleman, Dizzy Dearest, Nathan Gafford and John Katona. Stultz said the new EP has a varied sound. “(The songs) are all unique individually, but come together with the use of strange instrumentation like the xylophone, accordion and the roto-organ,” Stultz said. “Dylan Rogers (frontman of Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle, a band Stultz plays accordion in) produced (the EP), so having his influence has given it a real rustic quality.”

Saturday, Oct. 20 @ The Avenue, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, all ages, $5, doors at 6:30 p.m., music at 7 p.m.


Detroit legend Terrance Parker DJs at Mac´s 

Terrance Parker helped revolutionize the Detroit underground electronic music scene, along with Derrick May, Juan Atkins, Carl Craig and Jeff Mills. Saturday he spins into Mac’s Bar along with openers DJ Ruckus, Jay Arthur and Glitter Magik. Parker’s house music has been released on a variety of indie and major labels, including EMI, Virgin and Sony/BMG. He has DJ-ed in 27 countries and more than 200 cities, with venues ranging from nightclubs to music festivals hosting 100,000 people. An interesting quirk about Parker is his nickname: “Telephone Man,” which he got because he uses an old school telephone instead of traditional headphones. Aside from his unique turntable-ism, Parker, is also a sought after producer and remixer, having done track work for Akon, Beyonce, Kanye West and Christina Aguilera. He’s also had Top 20 hits with “Love’s Got Me High” and “The Question.” His 1997 album “Detroit After Dark” charted across Europe as well. Parker’s skills and contributions have been recognized by the Detroit Historical Museum´s History of Techno International Exhibit. 

Saturday, Oct. 20 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $10 door, 9 p.m.


Grammy Winner at Pump House

Songwriter Don Henry´s songs have been recorded by legends like Ray Charles and Conway Twitty, as well as contemporary hit makers like Blake Shelton and Lonestar. Sunday he plays the Pump House in East Lansing. In 1990, he won a Grammy for co-writing the melancholy Kathy Mattea hit, “Where´ve You Been?” In his long career, he’s shared stages with a wide range of stars, including Joey Ramone and Keith Urban, with Entertainment Weekly calling him “a first cousin to Randy Newman.” The Pump House is a donation based listening room, known for a wide mix of Americana. 

Sunday, Oct. 21 @ Pump House, 368 Orchard St., East Lansing, all ages, 7 p.m.

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