Artist Spotlight
Kicking off our Artist Spotlight series is the psychedelic tour de force you know and love as Chirp.
Fresh off an electrifying set at Electric Forest, and armed with a fleet of tasty new singles from their upcoming sophomore release, these guys are ready to tear it down once again under the big tent.
Three years of Handmade. Three years of Chirp. It just wouldn't be the same without 'em.
"Chirp is a four-piece, genre-hopping band based out of Ann Arbor, MI. Often playing in the styles of progressive rock/funk and jazz-fusion, their sound maintains a melodic center. The group features a wide array of originals and covers in their live sets and puts together dynamic, high-energy shows.
Though their music ties in many technical elements, an equal emphasis is put on grooving and keeping people moving. Chirp takes influence from Snarky Puppy, Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, Yes, Daft Punk, Vulfpeck, and The Beatles, to name a few. Chirp has been hard at work since their formation in 2015, touring and recording consistently since the project began. Their fresh sound has taken them touring across the Midwest to play a large variety of venues and festivals."
Click here to check out Chirp on Spotify!
The one and only Cosmic Knot returns to Handmade Music Festival on Friday, October 7th!
A psychedelic ride through the space time continuum with Tom Wall and friends.
"Since their beginning in 2015, Cosmic Knot have accomplished a great deal with their music; playing to crowds of thousands, winning awards, throwing their own festivals, inventing a new genre of music involving plants, and hitting the charts with their debut album "Inner Space" are just a few highlights of the band's success. The music Of Cosmic Knot is propelled by the sounds of nature.
"This synergistic relationship with nature and music led Tom Wall to discover a way of playing improvisational music with the accompaniment of plants through the aid of an electronic device - in other words, plants can play music!"
The Marsupials return for another year of high octane rock n' roll at Handmade Music Festival!
Enjoy the musical stylings of some of Northern Michigan's finest on Friday night!
"Old but new; unknown yet familiar. The cosmic brotherhood that forms Michigan based band, The Marsupials have evolved their sound into a searing hot, dance-infused journey of chaotic poetry & ethereal grooves. Formed in 2014 by Tai Jaxx Drury and Alex Riesenbeck, they have teamed up together with bass player Andy Fettig and keyboard wizard Jimmy Olson to combine their wealth of talent and experience. As individuals, years were spent performing and travelling across Michigan in various groups, with all those years of musical knowledge coming together in the form of their 2017 debut album, 'Mellow Emergency'."
Click here to check out The Marsupials on Spotify!
Get ready to close out Friday night of Handmade with DISTANT STARS!
These Northern Michigan boys did us the honor ringing out the first ever notes of Handmade way back in 2018, and are bringing the hot stuff down to Chesaning once again for a night of raucous rock n' rollin' good times. It's in October, but it's going to get sweaty.
"DISTANT STARS - funky/sexy/strange rock n’ roll from Michigan. Wild enough to raise the roof, charming enough to rival your favorite boy band. Unbridled bravado and flamboyant showmanship take center-stage, backed by a sonic hybrid of classic rock, electronic pop, and psychedelic funk, performed with a jazzy mentality and a punk rock attitude. Iconic cover songs are peppered throughout a set full of original music in a show that leaves the audience laughing, singing, and wondering - “are these guys from another planet, or am I?” Every DISTANT STARS performance is a wildly engaging rock n’ roll experience. Seductive frontman Jakey T steps out into the crowd to dance on your table and sip your drink while leading a sing-along. Andy simultaneously blasts out trumpet solo and hammers notes on the bass guitar with his other hand. Tai nonchalantly shreds planet-sized riffs on the guitar. Al channels the percussive intensity of John Bonham and the smoothness of Steely Dan. And just when you thought you were getting used to the madness...
BAM! - the boys swap instruments and bust out a Britney Spears cover.
DISTANT STARS have been a headlining and supporting act for prominent Michigan music festivals such as Farmfest, Earthwork Harvest Gathering, Handmade Music Festival, and Sol of the Lost Tamarack. They are also a favorite act at craft breweries, including Bellaire’s Short’s Brewery and the Workshop Brewery in Traverse City. Snowbelt Brewery of Gaylord even brewed them their own beer: ROCKNROLLJUICE.
In addition to live performance, the band has released a handful of singles in 2019 and is continuing production in the studio. A second full-length album, Rock N’ Roll Dies With Us, and a collection of live recordings are on the horizon for mid-2020 release."
Click here to check out Distant Stars on Spotify!
Nicholas James
Traveling around in a bright orange 1973 Volkswagen Bus, singer songwriter and Earthwork Music artist Nicholas James Thomasma combines stories and songs for a show that can be enjoyed by patrons of all ages.
Act Casual
Known for magnetizing performances, chilling harmonies, and a unique style of jamming, Detroit's funky fusion band Act Casual has been taking over the Midwest music scene by blending the blues, funk, long instrumentals, and tight pop tunes with infectious melodies. In the last few years, the group has seen an increased following of dedicated fans that brought them from jamming in a basement to playing sold out shows at iconic venues such as Ann Arbor’s The Blind Pig, Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe, and Mount Pleasant’s Centennial Hall.
They have also made a name for themselves in the music festival circuit, headlining Livestock Music Festival and performing at Ann Arbor Hash Bash, Arts Beats & Eats, a Bernie Sanders rally, and many more, sharing the bill with national acts including Laith al-Saadi, members of Umphrey's McGee (Omega Moos), Larry McCray, Spafford, The Werks, Magic Beans, The Nth Power, Dizgo, EGi, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, The North 41, Desmond Jones, and Zoofunkyou.
The presence they have built on stage and throughout the Midwest is undeniable, leading to press in Rolling Stone Magazine, The Detroit Metro Times, Local Spins, The Stratton Setlist, and Music Connection Magazine. The group released two singles last fall to the tune of over 20,000 streams and is slated to release singles throughout the rest of 2022 leading up to their debut album release.
