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MI Local: Rock quartet Zastava in-studio; new music from Kate Hinote Trio, Idle Ray + more


Each week on MI Local, you’ll hear me refer to admittedly cryptic-sounding sub-genres, like for example, “post-punk” and “shoegaze.” Well, it’s all done in an attempt to give you, dear listener, a few stylistic and influential reference points for a particular local artist that I’m featuring on the show, like, say, the four-piece “rock” group known as Zastava.

Local rock quartet Zastava join Jeff Milo in-studio
Local rock quartet Zastava join Jeff Milo in-studio during MI Local on June 10, 2025.

The entire band joined me in studio, seen above, counter-clockwise: Cam Frank (bass), Arman Bonislawski (guitar), Ollie Elkus (drums) and Mateja Matic (guitar, vocals). While we chatted, we also shared an exclusive premiere of a new song, “Fences,” off of their upcoming full-length album, Buildings, which comes out this week, capped off by a release party happening this Friday night at Third Man Records here in Detroit.

Zastava was started by Matic and Bonislawski a little more than four years ago, tapping into a guitar-heavy, slightly brooding, slightly drone-y kinda sound that weaves deceptively catchy melodies into a maelstrom of distortion and heavy-hitting rhythms. Matic even admitted that these sort of catch-phrases sub-genres — such as post-punk, shoegaze or noise-rock — can nevertheless be helpful in a sort of shorthand-evocative way for curious listeners. Then again, Matic said, with a flair, you might just say that they’re “really into Sonic Youth” as far as a reference point.

WDET listeners were given a sneak-preview of “Fences” on MI Local this week, with two previous singles like “Truth” having been premiered on our air waves earlier in the spring. Buildings follows up a few previous singles and an EP the band released, which you can find on Bandcamp. They described Buildings as their first proper statement as a cohesive band, or “a maturation of all of our tastes coming together,” as Bonislawski said.

Notably, and you’ll have to listen closely, but the band described this as “the baseball song.” Fittingly, we were all kinda checking our phones between on-air sessions, to keep track of the concurrent Tigers game. As we left the studio, Bonislawski said that he forgot to say the one thing he had initially pre-scripted as an answer: that if he had one hope for the music of Zastava, it would be that some professional baseball player might some day use one of their songs as a “walk-up” song, to be played over the sound-system as they stride to the plate.

Along with my chat with Zastava, I premiered new music from the alt/indie-folk realm, including a song from The Kate Hinote Trio‘s new full-length album, Stowaways, with the song, “Brake Lights.” You can see The Kate Hinote Trio live next Thursday, June 19, at Chelsea Sounds and Sights at 6:30 p.m. We also checked out the song “Big Ol’ City” from Ann Arbor-based singer-songwriter Maddy Ringo‘s brand new full-length album, People of the Earth and Sea.

On the indie-rock side of things, we heard a new song from Idle Ray featuring Fred Thomas, and a disarmingly soulful ballad from Garrett Gillis.

We also played some tracks by artists you can catch at live shows happening around the region, including Elephant Den (June 21 at Ziggy’s), James Linck (June 14 at the Lager House), and Ronny Tibbs, who has a multi-faceted, multi-media music and film event happening at the Crofoot Ballroom on Saturday.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

MI Local Playlist for May 13, 2025

  • “Brake Lights” – The Kate Hinote Trio
  • “Big Ol’ City” – Maddy Ringo
  • “Hit The Ground Running” – Garrett Gillis
  • “Quiet Cab” – Idle Ray
  • “Catamaran” – Bear Vs. Shark
  • “Apple” – Elephant Den
  • “Pre” – James Linck
  • “Love Is (Just) A Cruel Game” – Ronny Tibbs
  • “Everywhere But Beside You” – Frontier Ruckus (live in WDET Studios, August 2024)
  • “Pix” – Phased Out
  • “Fences” – Zastava
  • “Truth” – Zastava

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The post MI Local: Rock quartet Zastava in-studio; new music from Kate Hinote Trio, Idle Ray + more appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

In The Groove: New music from Cameron Winter, classic cuts from Kate Bush, Bill Evans + more

I’m continuing my fill-in duties as host of In the Groove this week, with new music from Cameron Winter, Julien Baker & TORRES.

Plus, a ranging mix of classic cuts from the likes of Kate Bush, Bill Evans, and Thelonius Monk, to name but a few. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove (with guest host Adam Fox) playlist for June 5, 2025

  • “Cold Heart” – Nilüfer Yanya
  • “Can You Get To That” – Funkadelic
  • “Rill Rill” – Sleigh Bells
  • “Uncanny Tales (The Score)” – Dabrye
  • “Linear Motion” – Rebecca Goldberg
  • “I Have the Touch” – Peter Gabriel
  • “Sama Gàmmu” – Youssou N’Dour
  • “One Hundred Years from Now” – The Byrds
  • “Sugar in the Tank” – Julien Baker & TORRES
  • “I Am Goodbye” – Bonnie “Prince” Billy
  • “Horsehead” – DIIV
  • “Rave Down” – Swervedriver
  • “Cloudbusting” – Kate Bush
  • “Headlock” – Imogen Heap
  • “Magic Sam’s Boogie (Live)” – Magic Sam & Shakey Jake
  • “Ride Like Hell” – Big Sugar
  • “It’s Rough On Rats (If You’re Asking)” – Jack White
  • “Love Takes Miles” – Cameron Winter
  • “Tomorrow is Perfect” – mark william lewis
  • “Tango” – Ryuichi Sakamoto
  • “Love Is a Stranger” – Eurythmics
  • “Eminence Front” – The Who
  • “Down On the Street” – The Stooges
  • “Corpse Pose” – Unwound “Starburster” – Fontaines D.C.
  • “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue” – Marianne Faithfull
  • “Monk’s Dream (Take 8)” – Thelonious Monk
  • “Waltz for Debby (Take 2)” – Bill Evans Trio
  • “Atlantic High” – John Fahey
  • “Stomping Gamay” – Karriem Riggins, Madlib & Jahari Massamba Unit
  • “Star Roving” – Slowdive
  • “The Concept” – Teenage Fanclub “Spastik” – Plastikman

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

Support the shows you love.

WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today.

Give now »

The post In The Groove: New music from Cameron Winter, classic cuts from Kate Bush, Bill Evans + more appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

MI Local: Idiot Kids premiere and in-studio interview; new music from Jackamo, Jah Connery + more

Identity and self-empowerment imbued with fast punk-tempos and ferocious guitars: it’s “Zeros & Ones,” the brand new single from Detroit-based singer-songwriter Jon Mikal-Bartee, who leads the long-running genre-defying-yet-rock-adjacent project know as The Idiot Kids. That song is officially out this Friday, but WDET listeners got a sneak preview this week during MI Local.

Bartee joined me in studio to talk about the inspiration for the new single and why the conversation it strives to inspire around/about gender binarism was specifically planned for the start of Pride Month. Bartee also revealed that the band is in a period of transition; it’s been in existence for more than 12 years and inevitably band members’ lives change or new responsibilities crop up, thus Bartee is moving forward with writing and recording (he actually mixed the group’s 2nd full-length album, 2023’s Chapels, by himself).

You can see the Idiot Kids perform live, with a round up of talented local musicians backing up Bartee, including this Saturday over in Kalamazoo at Bell’s Brewery — for their Pride After Party — and then closer to home, at the Lager House in Detroit on Friday, June 20, with SeaHag.

Bartee co-founded the group in the early 2010s with high school friends, Nick and Ryan, drawing on a blend of punk, glam, and seminal rock ‘n’ roll, with a focus on cathartic crescendos, intricate solos, and high-energy live performances.

In late 2023, the Idiot Kids performed live, on-air, right here in WDET Studios. Along with “Zeros & Ones,” Bartee performed the title track from “Chapels” live, right here in-studio with me during this week’s MI Local, and we also re-spun one of the Idiot Kids live recordings from 2023, which you can find here.

Detroit alternative rockers the Ethan Marc Band.
Detroit alternative rockers the Ethan Marc Band.

Another highlight, this week, was the song “California” by the Ethan Marc Band, from that group’s debut album, “Bad Days,which is out this week, with vinyl sales benefiting mental health nonprofit Common Ground. That fundraising intention is deepened by the lyrics of the Detroit-based singer-songwriter, Ethan Marc, with his candid reflections on his own battle with mental health and how making music helped him find clarity, strength and hope-threaded, as you’ll hear, over a rich mixture of indie-rock and pop influences. The Ethan Marc Band perform an album release party for “Bad Days on July 11 at El Club; you can also see them next Saturday, June 14, at Motor City Sound Board.

This week also featured exclusive premieres of local indie-rock groups like Ricochet the Kid, with a summer ballad titled “June.” The dynamic sister-duo of Jackamo also released new music, a poignant Americana-folk ballad titled “Second Best.”

As always, we get a rundown of can’t-miss shows happening around the region, in tandem with further premieres of new local music, including hip-hop artist Jah Connery, who you can catch next Saturday at Trixie’s in Hamtramck. 

Connery, aka Joshua Davis, released a new album this week titled “The Delicate Art of Love.” This week’s playlist also featured songs from Chirp (performing at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti next Friday), Sonic Smut (performing at Outer Limits Lounge this Friday), and Ladyship Warship, who just released a brand new single ahead of their upcoming show at the Lager House, this Saturday.

See the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

MI Local Playlist for June 3, 2025

  • “June” – Ricochet The Kid
  • “Second Best” – Jackamo
  • “Renalien” – Grief
  • “California” – Ethan Marc Band
  • “Potters Wheel” – Ananda Murari
  • “Tapiola II: Lord of the Forest” – Elyvilon
  • “Clams” – Jah Connery ft. Pseudo Slang
  • “Move” – Chirp
  • “Mark the spot” – Ladyship Warship
  • “Earache My Eye” – Sonic Smut
  • “Zeros & Ones” – The Idiot Kids
  • “Chapels” – Jon-Mikal Bartee (live on MI Local)
  • “Nothing” – The Idiot Kids (live in WDET Studios, 2023)

Support the shows you love.

WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today.

Give now »

The post MI Local: Idiot Kids premiere and in-studio interview; new music from Jackamo, Jah Connery + more appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

In The Groove: New music from Marie Davidson, Stereolab, Luster + more

Ryan Patrick Hooper is taking a well-earned vacation, which means I (WDET Program Director Adam Fox) get to play radio host for the rest of the week — I promise to take care of the Good Ship “ITG” in his stead!

We kicked off the fill-in shows with style today — new stuff from Marie Davidson, Stereolab and Luster, as well as some music that gets better with age from Taj Mahal, Sonny Rollins, Cate Le Bon and much more!

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove (with guest host Adam Fox) playlist for June 3, 2025

  • “Kiko and the Lavender Moon” – Los Lobos
  • “Gratiot” – Detroit Escalator Company
  • “Three Drums” – Four Tet
  • “Close My Eyes” – Luster
  • “Lorelei” – Cocteau Twins
  • “Love Has Got Me Crying Again” – Denise James
  • “The Department of Ghosts” – Outrageous Cherry
  • “My City Was Gone” – Pretenders
  • “Love Is Overtaking Me” – Arthur Russell
  • “Monkey Gone to Heaven” – Pixies
  • “Trailer Trash” – Modest Mouse
  • “Most of the Time” – Bob Dylan
  • “Lotta Love to Give” – Daniel Lanois
  • “Are You With Me Now?” – Cate Le Bon
  • “Respectable Street” – XTC
  • “Bonnet of Pins” – Matt Berninger
  • “Dan’s Boogie” – Destroyer
  • “Same Old Song” – Four Tops
  • “Leaving Trunk” – Taj Mahal
  • “St. Thomas” – Sonny Rollins
  • “Wu Punk” – Georgia Anne Muldrow
  • “Sodajerk” – Buffalo Tom
  • “Flag With No Pole” – World News
  • “Demolition” – Marie Davidson
  • “Washing Machine Heart” – Mitski
  • “Policy of Truth” – Depeche Mode
  • “Come On Let’s Go” – Broadcast
  • “Transmutated Matter” – Stereolab
  • “Le temps de l’amour” – Françoise Hardy
  • “You Can Make It If You Try” – Sly and the Family Stone
  • “You’re Welcome (Stop on By)” – Bobby Womack
  • “Fusion Swirl” – Jeff Parker
  • “Yekermo Sew” – Mulatu Astatke
  • “Black Sand” – Glass Beams

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

Support the shows you love.

WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today.

Give now »

The post In The Groove: New music from Marie Davidson, Stereolab, Luster + more appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro Events Guide: Film screenings, art exhibits and record releases

Now that Movement weekend is behind us, there’s room to explore Detroit’s talents beyond Hart Plaza. This week, we’ve got film screenings, collaborative art exhibits and record release parties that highlight local legends — past and present. Read on to learn more.

Experience Detroit history

On Friday, May 30, the Detroit Historical Museum is premiering the fourth and final episode of their “Tales from the D” series, featuring WDET’s own Don Was (co-host of The Don Was Motor City Playlist Fridays at 8 p.m.). The episode outlines Was’ journey from Detroit to becoming a globally-acclaimed musician and producer. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with host Tino G., producer Tony D’Annunzio and Don Was himself, as well as a live performance from Detroit blues legend Billy Davis. Tickets are $35 for the general public or $20 for Detroit Historical Society members, and the event goes from 6–9 p.m. For more information, visit detroithistorical.org.

On Saturday, May 31, there will be a screening of “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit” at Aretha’s Jazz Café in Music Hall. Inspired by Mark Stryker’s award-winning book, “Jazz from Detroit,” the documentary explores the extraordinary jazz legacy that came out of Detroit, from Ron Carter to Rodney Whitaker. After the screening, there will be a Q&A with filmmakers Daniel Loewenthal, Roberta Friedman and Mark Stryker. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the screening starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Shop local

The Palmer Park Art Fair returns to Detroit on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, featuring 97 juried artists. There will also be art workshops, book readings and live musical performances across two stages. Food trucks and a beer tent will be available on site and parking is free. Admission is also free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit palmerparkartfair.com.

Eastern Market kicks off their 2025 Sunday Market season this weekend on June 1. The market runs weekly from June through September and features locally-made foods, clothes, home goods and more for sale in Shed 5. Vendors are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit easternmarket.org.

Alongside the first Sunday Market of the summer, the 24th Annual Spring VegFest is also taking place at Eastern Market this Sunday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be free samples of plant-based food from nearly 100 vendors, sustainable shopping, cooking demonstrations and more in celebration of all things vegan. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit vegmichigan.org.

See a show

A new two-person exhibition from sculptor LaKela Brown and painter Mario Moore opens this weekend at Library Street Collective in Detroit. “Beneath Our Feet” examines the symbolic intersections of land, economic agency and narrative authorship. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 31 from 6–8 p.m., after which the exhibition will be on display through July 30. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit lscgallery.com.

On Saturday, May 31, Detroit-based indie-pop duo Crossword Smiles is having a release party for their new record, “Consequences & Detours” at Trinity House Theatre in Livonia. Nick Piunti will kick things off with a solo acoustic set at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20. For more information, visit their Facebook event page.

Also on Saturday, May 31, Detroit-based alt-country duo Neu Blume is having a release party for their debut album, “Let It Win” at UFO Bar in Detroit. The supporting acts are natural music ensemble Bonny Doon and mid-fi slow country artist Conor Lynch. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. For more information, visit ra.co.

On Sunday, June 1, local artist Audra Kubat and Marbrisa are hosting a “Queens of the Song Age” showcase at the Detroit House of Music. There will be in-the-round performances from songwriter Libby DeCamp and Kresge fellow poet Jassmine Parks. Tickets are $25 and the event is BYOB. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and seats can be reserved by Venmoing @audra-kubat with the message, “queens.” For more information, visit @queensofthesongage on Instagram.

On Thursday, June 5, soul singer-songwriter Phillip Michael Scales brings his “Good To Be Here” tour to The Ark in Ann Arbor. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $24–$35. For more information, visit theark.org.

Support local journalism.

WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

The post The Metro Events Guide: Film screenings, art exhibits and record releases appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro: Detroit built techno on grit and genius. What will it take to sustain it?

Detroit made techno. It was born in Black brilliance, forged in sweat, steel, and speaker stacks. The early days were gritty, raw, and unapologetically underground.

Raves in asbestos-riddled warehouses. DJ booths balanced on plywood. Sweaty bodies packed into buildings with no heat, no permits, just purpose. The Packard Plant, Mack and Bellevue, and the Eastown Theatre were places the city gave up on. But the music briefly revived them. Bass shook the dust loose. Rhythm fought its way through the speakers. It was joy, communion and resistance, but on a subterranean level.

Then came a turning point: the first Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2000, led by Carl Craig, which is known today as Movement. For once, an underground scene had risen to the surface. Slowly, the world took note. Detroit — the birthplace of techno — was getting its due.

But not completely. Even now, it is hard to make a living in Detroit as an electronic music artist and many leave for cities like Los Angeles and Berlin. So what will it take to change that?

DJ and producer John Collins of Underground Resistance — a group built from the city’s renegade spirit and refusal to be erased — joined The Metro to discuss Detroit’s techno legacy and the artists preserving and growing it.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: Detroit built techno on grit and genius. What will it take to sustain it? appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

 The Metro: Movement is a big event with small beginnings

Movement began in 2000 as a grassroots tribute to Detroit’s role in the birth of techno — a massive event at Hart Plaza, with walls of sound pulsing the music of famous artists from across the globe.

Yet it also remains an acknowledgment that Detroit is at the center of it all. The festival has long honored the raw, electrified spirit of the city — where basement beats from the Belleville Three became a global language. 

Movement isn’t just a party. It’s a space where sound, struggle and innovation come together — and where Detroit keeps redefining the future of music.

Sam Fotias, director of operations at Paxahau — the organization that produces the Movement festival — joined The Metro on Tuesday to share more about what’s in store this weekend. And just a heads up that WDET will once again be teaming up with Paxahau as an official media partner for the event.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

More stories from The Metro

The post  The Metro: Movement is a big event with small beginnings appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Honoring a legend: Detroit celebrates Amp Fiddler Day with street renaming

Love poured out onto the corner of 7 Mile and Revere Street on Friday, May 16, as the city of Detroit honored one of its most gifted, generous and influential musical sons: Joseph “Amp” Fiddler.

In a ceremony filled with rhythm, reverence and raw emotion, the city officially unveiled Amp Fiddler Avenue, permanently inscribing his name on the very block where so much of his magic was made.

It was the centerpiece of the second annual Amp Fiddler Day, a now-official recognition established by the Detroit City Council to commemorate a life lived in the service of music, community and connection.

Progressive Underground Host Chris Campbell speaks at the unveiling of Amp Fiddler Avenue in Conant Gardens, Detroit, May 16, 2025.
Community members gather to celebrate the renaming of Revere Street in Detroit to Amp Fiddler Avenue, May 16, 2025.
Artist J.R. Strozier paints a portrait of Amp Fiddler during the Amp Fiddler Avenue unveiling on Friday, May 16, 2025.
A painting by local artist J.R. Strozier is displayed during the Amp Fiddler Day celebration on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (from left, Amp Fiddler's widow Tombi Stewart Fiddler, and Detroit Councilmember Coleman A. Young II at the Amp Fiddler Avenue unveiling, May 16, 2025.

I stood there on that familiar street, not just as the event’s host, but also as someone deeply connected to the man we honored. Amp was my friend. We were both raised in Conant Gardens, a neighborhood that has quietly birthed giants.

“To be part of this day wasn’t just professional. It was personal. It was a full-circle moment.”

–Chris Campbell, host, The Progressive Underground

He appeared on The Progressive Underground more than any other guest I’ve hosted in the show’s 13-year history — his spirit, warmth and fearless creativity made him not just a friend of the show, but by extension, a friend of WDET. To be part of this day wasn’t just professional. It was personal. It was a full-circle moment.

Amp was more than a master musician. He was a musical architect and a connector of generations. His fingerprints are on the sounds of Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince, Maxwell, Seal and Tony Allen. He infused Detroit soul into every synth line and groove he touched, creating an unmistakable sonic signature that made him a legend’s legend. But his true genius may have been the space he created for others.

It was in his modest home studio on Revere Street where countless artists gathered — where conversations turned into collaborations, and where a young James Yancey, better known as J Dilla, was handed his first MPC and a passport to change the future of hip-hop and neo-soul.

On this day, dignitaries, artists, family members, community elders and students came together to lift up Amp’s name and legacy. Councilmember Scott Benson opened the ceremony by reading the formal city resolution that first established Amp Fiddler Day and affirmed the renaming of Revere Street to Amp Fiddler Avenue.

He was joined by Councilmember Coleman A. Young II, who offered personal reflections, and Detroit Entertainment Commission Chair John Collins, who honored Amp’s influence on the city’s creative economy.

Poetic tributes came from internationally-renowned poet/activist/actor Mike-E (Mike Ellison), while Michigan State University faculty members Julian Chambliss, Mark Sullivan, Terra Goforth, Natasha T. Miller and John Collins offered insight into Amp’s cultural legacy.

Written words were shared from T3 of Slum Village, Ma Dukes, the mother of J Dilla and RJ Rice of RJ’s Latest Arrival, acknowledging Amp’s impact on their personal and professional journeys, and how he helped nurture a global movement through music.

But it was Amp’s wife and creative partner, Tombi Stewart Fiddler, who delivered the day’s most powerful remarks. Through tears and deep composure, she spoke of Amp not only as a world-renowned musician, but as a man who led with love, whose humility and compassion uplifted everyone he encountered. She announced the continuation of his legacy through the Camp Amp Foundation and stewardship of his estate, ensuring his work and vision will continue to nurture the next generation.

The program ended with nationally-renowned songstress Monica Blaire leading the crowd in a joyful countdown as the veil was lifted from the new street sign, officially renaming Revere as Amp Fiddler Avenue. Cheers erupted, and Amp’s music floated through the air as a soundtrack to a moment long overdue.

In a city known for birthing genius and too often letting that genius go uncelebrated, Friday’s ceremony stood as a righteous act of recognition.

Amp Fiddler was more than a sound. He was a force. A neighbor. A mentor. A beacon. Detroit showed up to say: We see you. We remember you. We honor you.

And now, every time someone turns onto Amp Fiddler Avenue, they’ll be reminded that love, art and community live on, in the city Amp helped shape, and in all the souls he helped set free.

Support the shows you love.

WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today.

Give now »

The post Honoring a legend: Detroit celebrates Amp Fiddler Day with street renaming appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Metro: The history and mystery of Detroit’s Fortune Records

It’s no secret that the city of Detroit has a rich music history. But when most people think of the city’s most famous labels, Motown is usually the first — or only— one that comes to mind. 

But there are many other lesser known labels that contributed to the city’s thriving music scene and deserve more recognition. 

Fortune Records is definitely among them, and yet somehow the influential mom and pop label has largely faded into obscurity.

Fortune Records moved to 3942 Third Avenue in Detroit's Cass Corridor in 1956.
Fortune Records moved to 3942 Third Avenue in Detroit’s Cass Corridor in 1956.

Detroit author and music historian Michael Hurtt aims to change that with his book “Mind Over Matter,” which he co-wrote with his longtime friend Billy Miller.

The book offers a comprehensive history of Fortune and the many “myths and mysteries” associated with the label.

Hurtt spoke with WDET’s Jenny Sherman and Natalie Albrecht about the label for the latest episode of CuriosiD, and he joined The Metro on Thursday to share more.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: The history and mystery of Detroit’s Fortune Records appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

The Progressive Underground Pick of the Week: ‘Possibilities’ by Amp Fiddler

Hey whatupdoe Detroit. Chris Campbell from the Progressive Underground here for my Pick of the Week. This week’s pick is a celebration, a meditation, and a tribute all in one — honoring the late and legendary Amp Fiddler as Detroit prepares to rename a street in his honor on May 16 in Conant Gardens, the neighborhood that raised him.

We’re spotlighting a soulful, soaring track from his 2003 album, “Waltz of a Ghetto Fly— a record that blurred lines between soul, funk, electronica and cosmic jazz — and proved Amp was never just one thing. He was all things: keyboardist, composer, vocalist, visionary.

The track is Possibilities,and is exactly what it sounds like — a sonic reminder of what can happen when you let the groove lead and the spirit follow. Anchored by Amp’s signature Fender Rhodes textures, the song pulses with hope, elasticity, and Detroit soul grit. It’s aspirational without being naive. Funky without forcing it.

On this cut, Amp sings like a man channeling the future. His vocal phrasing is breezy but assertive, gliding over a broken-beat rhythm and elastic bassline that recall his time with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic and his collaborations with Moodymann and Theo Parrish. The track manages to feel vintage and futuristic all at once — just like the city that made him. 

Amp Fiddler didn’t just play keys. He opened doors. For artists. For neighborhoods. For young talent like the late J Dilla, whom he mentored. And “Possibilities” is an anthem for that mission: to stretch boundaries, amplify joy, and believe in what comes next. 

Let’s dive in — here’s “Possibilities” from the late Amp Fiddler, and its my Pick of the Week. 

Once again, that’s “Possibilities” by the late, great Amp Fiddler, from his 2003 album “Waltz of a Ghetto Fly— our Pick of the Week here on The Progressive Underground. 

May 16 is Amp Fiddler Day in the city of Detroit, which this year comes with a street renaming in his honor. So from now on, when you turn onto Revere in Conant Gardens, just know the possibilities are still endless. Rest in rhythm, Amp.

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The post The Progressive Underground Pick of the Week: ‘Possibilities’ by Amp Fiddler appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

In The Groove: Stevie Wonder’s 75th birthday, plus new music from Ezra Furman

Blowing out 75 birthday candles for Stevie Wonder today! That’s always a pleasure on this show. I make it clear that there are just a few artists you can always play and Stevie Wonder is someone you simply can’t exhaust — at least in my mind. Hope you agree! I’ll be playing your Stevie picks for the rest of the week… looking forward to that!

Plus new music from Ezra Furman, Elkka, Yannis & the Yaw and more.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 13, 2025

  • “Power of the Moon” – Ezra Furman
  • “Rock & Roll” – Velvet Underground
  • “Veni Vidi Vici” – Black Lips
  • “South of the River” – Tom Misch
  • “5pm” – Otis Junior & Dr. Dundiff
  • “The Light” – Jordan Rakei
  • “No Room for Doubt (feat. Willy Mason)” – Lianne La Havas
  • “Golden Lady” – José Feliciano
  • “All I Do” – Stevie Wonder
  • “In My Life” – Doug Riley
  • “Living For The City” – Stevie Wonder
  • “I Wanna Be Where You Are” – Michael Jackson
  • “We Can Work It Out” – Stevie Wonder
  • “Love Having You Around (Live at the Keystone Korner)” – Abbey Lincoln
  • “Voodoo Woman” – Koko Taylor
  • “Bonnie And Clyde” – Brigitte Bardot & Serge Gainsbourg
  • “7 AM” – Jacqueline Taïeb
  • “The Call Up” – The Clash
  • “Rain Can’t Reach Us (feat. Tony Allen)” – Yannis & the Yaw
  • “Song Of Hope” – Nicolas Jaar
  • “Cécile” – Edouard Ferlet
  • “Stay Gold (feat. Gregoire Maret)” – Alicia Olatuja
  • “Let it Happen (Soulwax Remix)” – Tame Impala
  • “Sudden Weight (feat. Allysha Joy)” – First Beige
  • “I Just Want To Love You” – Elkka
  • “S.N.C.” – Darkside
  • “SP12 Beat” – Mount Kimbie
  • “Water Me Down” – Vagabon
  • “Death & Romance” – Magdalena Bay
  • “Starfish And Coffee” – Prince
  • “I Like the Way You Do It to Me” – Roy Ayers
  • “As” – Stevie Wonder

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.

Support the shows you love.

WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today.

Give now »

The post In The Groove: Stevie Wonder’s 75th birthday, plus new music from Ezra Furman appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

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