HarmonyFest, a free music festival held annually on Labor Day weekend to promote harmony and inclusion, took place Sunday in downtown Three Rivers. Check out our gallery to see what you missed!
Music
Your favorite online news and culture magazine is trying its hand at live entertainment this weekend, and you’re invited. We’re turning The Huss Project into an outside concert venue to feature local artists, and raise money for Watershed Voice, so we can continue to provide local news and culture to the fine folks of St. Joseph County.
Doug and Alek are joined by recording artist and Kalamazoo native Sherridan Harris to discuss his debut album “Day in the Life,” his songwriting process, the difference he sees between the likes of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, and the Southwest Michigan music scene.
Doug and Alek are joined by recording artist Courtney Moore to discuss her new album “25.” The Three Rivers native details her music making process, the pros and cons of dating in the 21st century, her son Kobe, the tragic passing of his namesake Kobe Bean Bryant, and the effect it had on her.
WSV’s Charles Thomas writes, “I know a lot of people my age often talk about how contemporary music isn’t as good as it was when they were younger, but that hasn’t been my impression. There’s still a lot of great music being made in 2021. What has struck me, though, as I compare the music of my youth to the music of today is the general lack of musicianship in today’s popular music. I’ve sampled dozens of popular songs in the last few weeks and I’ve been struck by the total and complete lack of songs featuring a guitar solo, or any instrumental solo for that matter.”
Among bills introduced by the Michigan Legislature this month, gay conversion therapy would be prohibited for minors under SB 367, sponsored by Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), or HB 4651, sponsored by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield). At least three Michigan cities have previously banned the practice, which, according to the Human Rights Campaign, falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Doug and Alek are joined by Watershed Voice columnist, local author & psychotherapist Charles Thomas to discuss Taylor Swift pulling a Prince, Mark Cuban’s decision to temporarily stop playing the National Anthem before Dallas Mavericks games, and coping with mental health issues in the midst of a global pandemic.
Local recording artist and producer Mitchie Moore released a new full-length album on November 27. Moore virtually sat down with Watershed Voice this weekend to discuss the album, which he describes as experimental hip-hop/rap, with inspirations from electronic music.
A new outdoor music event in downtown Three Rivers drew a full audience this past weekend. Backstage Bash 2020 was organized by the Riviera Theatre and the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program (TRDDA). It took place Saturday afternoon and evening on a temporarily closed section of Railroad Drive behind the theatre. Featuring four music acts, it served as a fundraiser for this year’s upcoming Christmas Around Town.
Mikel Watkins found his way into music through adversity. He struggled through a difficult upbringing and addiction, finding his way to stability through music production and artistry.
Southwest Michigan has its share of musical talent, and Watershed Voice had an opportunity to discuss one nationally distributed band’s work with one of its guitarists, Christopher M. Jones, and other band members.
“Welcome to the first clickbait listicle I’ve ever written. […] I wanted to write a piece that would be fun, interesting and might even introduce readers to new music they’d love. So without further ado, here’s my list of the 15 greatest albums of all time. As many a clickbait article has promised before, you will be shocked!”
Three Rivers native and vocalist Courtney Moore dropped a new single Friday titled “Selfish,” the first single off her sophomore album “25.”