Win Tickets to See The Goddamn Gallows at The Majestic Cafe

This Saturday, April 2nd Black Iris Booking is bringing The Goddamn Gallows to the stage at The Majestic Cafe. The Goddamn Gallows are known for their own style of Bluegrass Punk and their highly entertaining live shows. The band is currently out on tour, but they are bringing their banjo and washboard home this weekend. But, they won't be around for too long because they are planning on hitting the road again and making their way over to Europe and the UK this summer. You can check out all of their upcoming tour dates here..

This Saturday they will be hitting the stage with Gallows Bound, Curio, dear john tractor and
Busby Death Chair. Tickets are only $13 in advance online or they will be $15 at the door. All ages are welcome to attend and doors are set to open at 8 p.m.

Thanks to the lovely ladies at Black Iris Booking we are also giving away a pair of tickets to this show! If you would like to enter to win, just email your first and last name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with The Goddamn Gallows in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and will send them details on how to claim their prize. Good luck!

~C

Calling All Artists!!!

There are three very different art shows coming to Eastern Market Shed5 this summer. All three shows are currently looking for artists, read ahead to see if you are the person that they are looking for.  If you are, send your application in today!

Michigan Makers Market-  The Michigan Makers Market (June 5th)  is looking for local artists to sell their wares at this years show. They have opened up their definition of art to include "small batch foods, innovative manufacturing and unique solutions". . You can submit an application and learn more about the event here.


Live Art Detroit- Live Art Detroit ( August 21st)  is an interactive art fair. Artists are encouraged to interact with the audience by presenting demonstrations and workshops. "Patrons can watch artists work, or for a small fee they can make their own items, be in a staged photo shoot or get their hands dirty in clay". The show usually has about 50 artist at they event. If you are interested in applying to be part of this years                                                        show you can apply here.

Adorn Detroit- Adorn Detroit (September 18th) is an art fair that focuses on clothing, jewelry and other wearable art. "Artists with one of a kind and limited edition clothing, accessories and jewelry will help you enhance your individual style" are encouraged to apply!

To keep up with all the cool things happening in Shed5 visit their website here. 

Win Tickets to See Counterparts at St. Andrew's Hall

This Friday, April 1st hardcore rockers Counterparts will be making a stop at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit. They are currently on tour in support of their fourth full length album Tragedy Will Find Us, released in 2015. They have invited Expire, Gideon and Knocked Loose out on the road with them.

If you haven't heard Couterparts you can get a taste of what they are all about by watching this music video for the song "Witness":

Doors for the show open at 6 p.m. this Friday, tickets to get in the door are $15 in advance and they can be purchased here. We also have one pair of tickets to give away to the show courtesy of Live Nation Detroit. If you would like to enter to win a pair of tickets, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #counterparts. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and we will email them details on how to claim their prize.

~S 

Win Tickets to See Intronaut from Hip In Detroit and Fusion Shows

Progressive metal masters Intronaut just released their newest full length, The Direction Of Last Things late last year. In support of this release they are out on tour across the US and Canada with North and Scale The Summit. The band plans to play all of the songs off of the new album every night along with other fan favorites. If you haven't picked it up yet, you can here.

Fusion Shows is bringing this awesome tour right here to Metro Detroit this week. Intronaut will be playing at The Loving Touch in Ferndale along with their tour mates North, Scale The Summit and Detroit's own Imminent Sonic Destruction. The show is happening this Saturday, April 2nd and tickets are only $13. You can pick yours up fee free here. 

Thanks to Fusion Shows, we are also giving away a pair of tickets to this show! If you would like to enter to win, all you have to do is email us at hipindetroit@gmail.com with Intronaut in the subject and your full name in the body. We will draw our lucky winner Friday morning and will send them details on how to claim their prize. 

The Loving Touch is located at 22634 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale. To see Fusion Shows' full list of upcoming events click here.

~C

The Detroit Public Theatre Presents Sex with Strangers

Detroit has a booming artistic community. We have become a mecca for young artists who want to find themselves, make a change, and do something different. The art "scene" in Detroit is in its early stages, but it is growing faster than we ever imagined. There is a new gallery, venue, play, or event to attend every day of the week! 

One of the city's latest editions is the Detroit Public Theatre, which opened its doors last May. A small community of live theatre lovers came together to create a place where actors, directors and playwrights could come together to create something magical. They are currently running Sex with Strangers which "examines social identity and how we define ourselves as artists and humans".

We wanted to find out more about the theatre and the current play so we reached out to the director of the theatre Courtney Burkett and the director of the play Frannie Shepherd-Bates to learn more about what they are doing. Check out what they had to say and then visit their website to purchase tickets to one of their upcoming shows. We want to see this theatre flourish so they can continue to bring more live theatre to Detroit! In fact, we already have our tickets reserved for the next play Detroit '67.  

HID- How did the Detroit Public Theatre get started? 

CB- "A group of theatre artists and administrators, Sarah Winkler a recent transplant from New York, Courtney Burkett a lifelong Detroiter and Michigander Sarah Clare Corporandy who was living and working in NYC at the time, identified the need for a professional regional theatre in the city of Detroit. Then we got busy building it."

HID-When did you officially open your doors? 

CB- "Our first production American Hero opened October 30, 2015. We are a brand new company."

HID- How do you fund the theater? 

CB- "The theatre is funded by a variety of sources. Earned income from ticket and event sales, contributions from generous visionary donors who are invested in building and sustaining a new strong cultural institution in Detroit, and we also receive support from corporations, foundations, and the State of Michigan ."

HID- How were the actors chosen for this play?

FSB- "We held auditions for the play and cast the two people who were the best fits. It wasn’t an easy decision by any means, but we wound up with two actors who have terrific chemistry and are knocking it out of the park!"

HID- Why did you want to direct this play?

FSB- "I absolutely love this play. It’s a great story that is very well written, and it makes some great points about how our identity is defined, especially in a digital age."

HID- Do people get naked on stage?
FSB- "Not completely! The play is definitely not PG-rated, but we tried not to do anything gratuitous, either. It’s a tough balance to strike, but I think we did it!"

HID- How many different plays does the theatre plan to host each year?

CB- "We will produce four shows - three plays and one musical each season."

HID- How can the public get involved and help the theater continue to thrive?

CB- "Buy tickets and come see shows! Tell people about us, follow us on social media. You can also volunteer to usher and check our website for other opportunities to get involved!"

HID- What will the next show be? 

CB- "Detroit '67 by native Detroit playwright Dominique Morriseau"

HID- Do you ever act or do you always direct?

FSB- "I’m a trained actor, but I rarely act anymore. It’s a special treat when I get to do it! Acting is a lot of fun, but I find directing to be generally more fulfilling."

HID- What is special about Detroit theatre?

CB- "Detroit is a special place. There is no place else on earth quite like it - and that is becoming more and more rare these days as many places become more homogenized Detroit remains very distinct. And so the theatre that is created within this city, and about this city, and for this city is also distinct and special."

HID- Is there anything else you would like our readers to know? CB- "Sex With Strangers runs through April 3, Detroit '67 opens May 15 and runs through June 5th. Come to the theatre - you'll love it!"


For tickets visit www.detroitpublictheatre.org or call 313-576-5111.

~S

Go To Cellarmen's This Thursday Night!

This Thursday, March 31st Cellarmen's in Hazel Park is the place to be! This awesome brewery will be hosting their very first show this week. Before they even opened their doors, the guys behind Cellarmen's were talking about eventually having shows at the bar. Their great tasting brews paired with their awesome taste in music guaranteed that it would be the perfect place for it. Well, now that they have a few months under their belt, they are ready to kick things off.

As exciting as it is to see a new venue pop up, this first show will be bittersweet. Cellarmen's was founded by four awesome dudes, Ian Radogost-Givens, Jason Petrocik, Dominic Calzetta and Andrew Zalewski. We only had a chance to meet 3 of the 4 men behind Cellarmen's when we shot an interview with them before they opened up shop. Some of the coolest guys we've met. Sadly, the crew recently lost one of their own, when Jay passed away earlier this month. Now their highly anticipated first show will be held in dedication to him. The Facebook event says it best:

"Jay had been talking about this show since Cellarmen's opened back in October, so we will need to make this a historic evening, completely in his honor. His spirit will be guiding us all through the music we will be playing for him. We love & miss you, ya beautiful bastard! Come on out and support the brewery the man poured his soul into with a few of his favorite local acts!"

So whether you come to show your support for Jay and the guys at Cellarmen's or you come for the music, all that matters is that you are at this show Thursday night! The lineup for the evening includes The Amino Acids, CBJ and Cockhorse. Admission is FREE, but make sure you bring plenty of money for their delicious adult beverages! The show will start at 9 p.m., but doors will open at 5 p.m. So get there early and stay late! This is going to be an awesome night and the first of many great shows at Cellarmen's!

The bar is located at 24310 John R. in Hazel Park, right between 9 & 10 Mile. For more info on this event, click here.

We only had the pleasure of meeting Jason a couple of times, but he seemed to be one of the nicest, coolest dudes around. So come out and make this night awesome in his honor!

~C

The Vulnerable Gives You a Taste of Their New Album with a New Single and a Show on Wednesday

We've told you about The Vulnerable before. They're a transpunk/queercore band from Metro Detroit. Well, the band is getting ready to put out a new album this May, entitled Is There Acceptance? To get fans ready for it, they recently released a single, "Drive", on their bandcamp. The band explains the new song as, "...a short and (not so) sweet track filled with all the rage and anxious thoughts that surround being transgender or genderqueer in public settings". You can check it out below and head over to bandcamp to download it for free.

If you like what you hear, you should also head over to the Trumbullplex this Wednesday, March 30th where The Vulnerable will be playing along with The Best of the Worst (NJ), Stuck Lucky (Nashville) and Detroit's own Matt Wixson's Flying Circus. The show is set to kick off at 7 p.m. and all ages are welcome. Admission is only a $7 donation and you can BYOB. Make sure you also bring some extra cash with you so you can pick up the new album from Matt Wixson's Flying Circus that just came out a couple of weeks ago. 

The Trumbullplex is located at 4210 Trumbull in Detroit. For more info, click here.

~C

Win a Pair of Tickets to See Acid Mothers Temple at the Marble Bar

Japanese psychedelic rockers Acid Mothers Temple are coming to Marble Bar in Detroit this Wednesday, March 30th. The idea behind the band was to get a collective of talented musician together to record the trippiest music that they could. The original lineup was composed of a group of musicians who loved to jam together. Over the years the lineup has changed a lot, but the concept and style of the band has stayed true to its roots.

ACT will be playing alongside Mounds and Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor. Tickets to attend the show are only $14 and they can be purchased here. We also have one pair of tickets to give away to the show courtesy of Party Store Productions. If you would like to enter to win a  pair of tickets to the show, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #acid. We will draw one lucky winner the morning of the show and we will email that winner details on how to claim their prize.

~S

Win a Pair of Tickets to See Restorations at The Majestic Cafe this Wednesday

Restorations are currently on a Midwest/East Coast tour alongside Creepoid and The Dirty Nil. The tour kicked off on March 24th in NYC and will end on April 9th in Boston. This week they will be making two stops in Michigan. First, they will stop in Detroit on March 30th and then Grand Rapids on April 1st. The tour will be playing the Majestic Cafe in Detroit this Wednesday before heading to The Stache in Grand Rapids the next day. You can can check out tunes from the Restorations here, music from Creepoid here, and the sounds of The Dirty Nil here.

Tickets to get into the Detroit show are $10 and they can be purchased here.  Tickets for the Grand Rapids show can be purchased here. We also have one pair of tickets to give away to the Detroit show courtesy of our friends over at Black Iris Booking. If you would like to enter to win a pair of tickets, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com. We will draw one lucky winner this Wednesday and they will be able to go to the show with a friend for free.

~S

One Last Dance with My Pal Val

I have been sitting here for quite some time trying to figure out how to write a goodbye letter to My Pal Val. First of all, I decided that I'm not calling them MPV, I always loved the full name. I usually accidentally called them that anyways. So, without further ado, here is my goodbye letter to My Pal Val.

Dear My Pal Val,

Over the last few years you have become one of my favorite Detroit bands. I fell in love with your drummer Val when I had the opportunity to play in a Hole cover band with her, we had a blast practicing for hours in Rachel May's basement. I appreciated her love for riot grrrl rock, her love of rock and roll, and her superb drumming. She is by far one of the best drummers I have ever had the pleasure of watching take the stage. After forming a bond with her, I came out to see the band and was pleasantly surprised to find out that her band and her music were just as special as she was. I was so excited when I had the chance to interview you in the basement of DIME music, you gave me a copy of the EP and I listened to it on full blast the whole way home. It is by far one of the best EPs I have ever heard. You guys created magic together! I listened to that EP so many times that I knew that I had to ask you to play our three year anniversary party a few months later. You guys were cool enough to agree to play and you killed it that night. So many people came up to me after the show and talked about how much they enjoyed your music and your live performance. I can't thank you enough for that night, it meant the world to me! I have enjoyed all of your live shows, but that one will always hold a special place in my heart.

That being said it's really sad to see you go. I was pretty upset when I read the announcement. Like I said, you made magic together. There won't be another MPV anytime soon, if ever! I hope that all three of you will continue to make beautiful music because it is what you are meant to do. Your passion and your talent are unmatched, thanks for sharing it with all of us.

xoxox
Sadie


P.S. If you would like to say your own goodbyes to MPV you can come out to watch them perform one last time this Saturday, March 26th at Small's. They will be performing for one last time together as a band wsg Five Pound Snap, White Bee, and Sweat.  Doors open at 9 p.m., it's $5 to get in the door and 18+ are welcome.

~S

Help The Suicide Machines Help Flint at Zeke's Rock & Roll BBQ!

This Saturday, March 26th one of the best bands to come out of Detroit is playing a show for a great cause! The Suicide Machines will be taking over Zeke's Rock & Roll BBQ to help out the people of Flint. At first, we were going to be selfish and not tell people about this show. After all, Zeke's isn't a very big venue. But, this is such an awesome thing that The Suicide Machines and Zeke's are doing, that we had to do the right thing and help spread the word.

So, here are the details. Saturday's show will feature The Suicide Machines, SUB, Braided Veins and Unsinkable Molly Brown. Admission to the show doesn't cost you much, a case of water or $5 (we suggest doing both or at least bringing a couple of cases). There's no way to buy tickets ahead of time. You just have to show up and hope for the best. But, even if this sells out (and we're sure that it will), don't be a jerk. Leave the water that you brought with you. The people of Flint need it more than you do.

There have been mixed messages on what time things will start and when you can get in the door, but we think we finally have it narrowed down. Doors are set to open around 9 or 9:15 p.m. Since Zeke's is one of the best restaurants around, they will be serving food up until shortly before the event. It sounds like you can swap your water for your ticket starting at 8 p.m. Just wait out back until the fine folks of Zeke's tell you what to do. Better yet, show up early and get some dinner, then head out back and grab your case so you can get in line!

The venue holds approximately 200 people, so it will probably sell out, but a good amount of people will be able to get in the door. 21+ are welcome to attend this show. Zeke's is located at 240 W. 9 Mile in Ferndale. For more information on this show and to stay in the loop the day of, head over to the Facebook event page here. If you can't make it to the show, but you still want to do your part to help out, you can stop by Zeke's Rock & Roll BBQ to make a donation during regular business hours.

We cannot wait 'til Saturday! This show will be a blast and it's a great way to help out the people of Flint! See you there!

~C

Win Tickets to See Diane Coffee at Marble Bar

This past September Diane Coffee released his latest album, Everybody's a Good Dog, on Western Vinyl. The album is being described at "Little Shop of Horrors -meets-Aladdin", you can hear it for yourself here.

Diane Coffee will be kicking off his US tour this Saturday, March 26th right here in Detroit. He will be hitting the stage at the Marble Bar in Detroit along with Moonwalks and Jack & The Bear. Tickets are only $10 in advance and they can be purchased here. Thanks to our friend Virginia at Party Store Productions we are also giving away a pair of tickets to this show! If you would like to see Diane Coffee for FREE, please send your name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with Diane Coffee in the subject line. We will draw our lucky winner the morning of the show and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

Doors are set to open at 9 p.m. on Saturday. The Marble Bar is located at 1501 Holden St. in Detroit.

~C

The Endo Show Takes Over The Loving Touch to Raise Money for Charity

This Saturday, March 26th The Loving Touch will host the Endo Show, a yearly benefit to raise money for endometriosis. Every March, Detroit artists come together to raise money and awareness. This year's lineup includes Carmel Liburdi, Ancient Language, Anthony Retka's Big Parade, Boogie Knights, and Chromatose.

"Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects at least 6.3 million women and girls in the U.S. alone! It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus.This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation -- and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems". It's a pretty serious issue that affects a lot of people, that isn't being talked about enough!

The night will also feature art by Dominic Ganetti. It is $10 to get in and doors for the show open at 9 p.m. this Saturday. Their will also be a raffle with prizes! To learn more about endometriosis click here.

~S

Win Tickets to Party with Biz Markie this Weekend!

If you're a fan of all of the wonderful things that the '80s and '90s encompassed, then you have to head to St. Andrew's Hall this weekend. This Saturday, March 26th they will be hosting a party celebrating these two decades! The party will feature tunes provided by none other than DJ Biz Markie! In honor of that alone, let's just take a minute to relive Biz Markie and one of the best songs of our time.

Tickets for this event are only $15 each and they can be purchased online here. Thanks to our friends at Live Nation Detroit, we are also giving away a pair of tickets to this show. If you want to party like it's 1999 or even 1989, just send your name over to hipindetroit@gmail.com with Biz in the subject line. We will draw one lucky winner Friday morning and they will get into this party with a friend for FREE! 

The party is set to start at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 18+ are welcome. 

~C

Catching Up with YUM Before They Take Over PJ's Lager House this Weekend!

This Saturday, March 26th garage rock duo YUM has put together quite an awesome show for all of you! They will be playing at PJ's Lager House along with The Erers, Junglefowl and The Idiot Kids.

That's one solid lineup! This show is extra awesome because YUM will also be releasing a limited run EP at it! They will have a new CD available, featuring 3 tracks, along with some other great merch. 

We wanted to catch up with the Elise & Cody from YUM before this weekend's show. Check out what they had to say below. And if you haven't checked this awesome band out yet, we highly suggest that you do! You can listen to their self titled full length on bandcamp here. 

HID- Describe Yum to someone who's never heard your band before. 

YUM- "Elise's strong vocals compliment her gritty guitar, while Cody's drumming maintains the intensity throughout their whole set. They play catchy pop tunes louder and harder than anyone else out there."

HID- Who are some of you biggest musical influences?
Elise- "Green Day, The Vines, Tame Impala, Paul McCartney, Jack White, The Black Keys"
Cody- "The Specials, Grandaddy, Assorted Jelly Beans, Pile, Stewart Copeland"

HID- Tell us about this weekend's show! We heard that you might be releasing some new music???
Elise- "This weekend is going to be insane! It's the first show I have booked on my own, so I made sure I picked some of the best local bands to be a part of it with us. And yes! We will have a limited run of our new EP at the show. I hope it is packed so everyone can get a copy!"

HID- Elise, you just got back from Japan not too long ago. How was it? What did you miss most about Michigan while you were gone?
Elise- "Japan is a beautiful country. I will forever have an affinity for it. Living in Tokyo was definitely the most difficult but yet rewarding time of my life. I learned a lot about myself and I have since been creating music based on those experiences I had. I have to say I definitely missed playing music with Cody the most out of everything. Our chemistry as band mates and friends is so incredibly valuable."

HID- What are some of your favorite places in Metro Detroit? Favorite venue? Restaurant? Store? Bands?
Elise- "I really love The Loving Touch in Ferndale. Cody and I have been a part of so many awesome shows there. We had our first real Detroit show at that venue over two years ago now. It was for Secret Friends Fest which helped us expand outside of Bay City (where we're from) tremendously.

Restaurants? Definitely eat at Selden Standard in Midtwon or Rose's Fine Food on East Jefferson. Whoof. So good."

HID- If Yum could play with any band (dead or alive) who would you want to share a stage with?
Elise- "For me, definitely Green Day. They had so much to do with helping me become the musician and person I am today. Just ask all my middle and high school friends just how obsessed I was... Cody would love to share a stage with Grandaddy. I think he'd definitely pee his pants from excitement (as would I for Green Day)."

HID- Give us 3 reasons everyone should come to the show on Saturday.
Elise- THE ERERS
JUNGLEFOWL
THE IDIOT KIDS

HID- Is there anything else you want to let our readers know?

Elise- "Our new EP was recorded by David Feeny at Tempermill Studios. He is an amazing musician and person and everybody should turn to him if they want work done. Cody and I had a blast working with him!

Also, my best friend Morgan Hughes is an angel for helping us design the artwork along with our sweet new stickers! Make sure you pick them up Saturday!"

Admission for Saturday's show is only $5 and doors are set to open at 9 p.m. We are also giving away 2 pairs of tickets to this show! If you would like to attend this show with a friend for FREE, please send your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with YUM in the subject line. We will draw 2 lucky winners the morning of the show and will send them details on how to claim their prize.

21+ are welcome to attend this show. PJ's Lager House is located at 1254 Michigan Ave. in Corktown in Detroit.

~C

See the Original Ghostbusters on the Big Screen this Weekend

Since it was announced that a third Ghostbusters movie was in the works, with an all female cast, there has been a lot of talk about the Ghostbusters franchise. The trailer for the new movie flooded the internet for a few days, people are choosing sides on whether they like the new cast choices or not, and people are reminiscing about the original two films. Just as any sequel, it's going to be hard for number 3 to measure up to the original Ghostbusters.

Well if you are a fan of the original movie, this weekend you have a chance to see the movie on the big screen once again. Ghostbusters, starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson, will be showing this weekend at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. The movie will be showing on Friday and Saturday night as part of the Midnight Madness series that the theater features every weekend. Tickets are only $7 and can be purchased in advance here.

Take a few minutes to revive your love for this movie and watch the original trailer below.

The Main Art Theatre is located at 118 N. Main Street in Royal Oak. For a list of all of the upcoming Midnight Madness movies, click here. 

~C

Win Tickets to See Gogol Bordello at ROMT

This Saturday, March 26th Gogol Bordello will be returning to Metro Detroit to perform their 2005 album Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike in its entirety in celebration of its tenth anniversary. I had the honor of watching them perform during Orion Fest a few years back and immediately understood why so many of my friends love this band. Their music is full of life and their performances are memorable. If you're not familiar with the band, you can check out some of their music here.

Debauche will be opening the show, you can check out some of their music here. Tickets to attend the show are only $29.50 in advance, you can purchase them here if you would like to secure your slot!   We also have one pair of tickets to give away courtesy of our friends at AEG. If you would like to enter to win a pair of tickets to attend the show with a friend please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #ROMT. We will draw one lucky winner the day before the show and email them details on how to claim their prize. 

Gogol Bordello playing their legendary album inside ROMT is going to be epic! If you're a fan of great live music, I highly recommended checking this one out!

~S

Win a Pair of Tickets to See The Ragbirds' at The Magic Bag

This Friday, March 25th The Ragbirds (Ann Arbor) will be releasing their 5th studio album The Threshold & The Hearth with a good old fashion album release party at The Magic Bag! They have invited all of us to enjoy a night of music that will include performances from fellow A2 bands The Appleseed Collective and The Understorey.

You can preview a small sample of the new album here. but you have to head out to the album release party to get the full album. Tickets to attend are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. You can buy tickets online here or stop by UHF in Royal Oak (cash only) to buy tickets FEE FREE! 

We also have two pairs of tickets to give away to the show courtesy of Grand Circus Media. 18+  are welcome to enter and attend the show, if you would like to attend the album release party with a friend for free, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com with the subject line #albumrelease. We will draw two lucky winners the day of the show and give them details on how to claim their prize.

~S 

Drew Drialo: Making Moves and Shaping the Future of Detroit Music

Detroit is special for one reason, the people.  A city is just cement, bricks and stone, it is the people who live, work and play in that city that give it its personality and life. So, lately, I have been reaching out to all of the people who make this city come to life. The movers and the shakers that work behind the scenes to bring the bands to town, pack the parties, and bring art and culture to Detroit.

Drew Drialo is one of those movers who has been making things happen around Detroit for a few years now. From promoting shows and parties to connecting artist, bands, and venues, he has been playing a big part behind the scenes over the last few years. He got his foot in the door by interning for a promotional company and quickly found himself emerged in one of the coolest new movements in town, called Assemble. He has a unique inside perspective on how Detroit has changed over the last few years.

He is currently helping Assemble expand their brand while working with Detroit born artist JMSN to help promote the release of his next album. Put it this way, if something cool is happening in music in Detroit, Drew most likely has something to do with it. He is a hustler who never stops working, he embodies passion and drive. So, I asked him to chat with me and answer a few questions about who he is, what he is does and where he wants to go. Check it out and make sure to keep up with this kid, he always knows what the next hip thing will be because he usually is right there making it happen!

HID- How did you become involved in the Detroit Music scene?
Drew- "I started collecting cassettes (and CDs) from Detroit area artists, local print, etcetera. around age 11. Once computers got much cheaper and I discovered the world of the Internet, I got heavily involved with a few local Detroit rap websites. I was like 15 at that point. From there, I just immersed myself in the culture and kept building. Mostly, I was deeply inspired by Big Proof and his vision for Detroit."

HID- What does music mean to you?
Drew- "There’s always the cliches, but music can be an escape or a way out. Music has always levitated me to a better place. The proper song selection - reflecting whatever mood you’re in, can shift everything. Music is a universal language..."

HID- How old were you when you saw your first live band? Who was it, where was it, and who took you?
Drew- "The first live show I ever went to was in 2003 -- age 14. I got dropped off at the State Theatre (now The Fillmore) for BTNH and Tech N9ne. It was also the first time I ever crowd surfed, ha."

HID-What is a concert promoter’s job?
Drew- "I think there's a lot of concert promoters, publicists, etc. who will push anything with money involved. I strive to only stand behind things I wholeheartedly believe in. Going hard with promotion is easy because I’m pushing things that I believe in. If I have to work press & media, throw up 500 posters around town and distribute 50,000 flyers -- I’ll do it. I really just want to be involved with dope parties and live shows while keeping my name most credible."

HID-What is the biggest party/show/ event you have put together? Tell us about it?
Drew- "It was exciting to help organize the official Eminem and Rihanna "Monster Tour" after party at The Fillmore - Detroit. But the most meaningful to me is the Flint Eastwood “Small Victories” album release party last November. There were a lot of people involved in making it happen but super s/o to Assemble -- Garret Koehler, Seth Anderson, Nicole Churchill, Burst Sound & Lighting, all the performers, Fusion Shows and all of the close-to 900 people who came out to celebrate a huge victory for Jax."

HID-Tell us a little about Assemble? How did you become involved and what role do you have within the CHURCH?
Drew- "Assemble Sound is basically a hub for Detroit music, run by artists out of an 1872 historic church. There’s a special energy around the space and I am beyond excited for things to unfold publicly. I got involved through my friendship with Garret Koehler. I had volunteered at multiple events he organized in the past. Really, I just had a lot of respect for him as a person and believed in his vision early on - even before the church was an idea. Everything else aligned in time. When my internship ended at my previous, Garret opened the door for me to operate out of Assemble. I don’t
have a set role; I just hustle and help when I can. Music licensing is also one of the main components at Assemble, and Nicole Churchill handles it like a boss."

HID- What is your favorite part about living in the city?
Drew- "My favorite thing about living in the city is the people of Detroit. Even in the most overlooked neighborhoods, I am captivated by the spirit. I appreciate the authenticity of our city."

HID- Who are your favorite Detroit artists these days?
Drew- "Every track SYBLYNG / Seth Anderson touches is hot. I’m also a fan of JMSN, Flint Eastwood, Eryn Allen Kane, GOSH PITH, Supakaine, Valley Hush, Moonwalks, Nigel & The Dropout. The list could go on; there’s a lot of great music being created in Detroit right now…"

HID- Who is JMSN and what is your association with him?
Drew- "JMSN is a music God. From Detroit. I’m a fan of his work because he is particularly true to even the smallest detail in his vision - so his art is the most authentic expression of self. There’s not a lot of artists making music that give me that same feeling, or anything close. I’m currently managing the street team for his White Room Records imprint; we have 319 members from literally every part of the globe. I also produced a video (my first) for him that is going to be released real soon. His new album is beautiful, I am excited for people to hear it."

HID- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Drew- "In 5 years -- I will like to be in position to guide inner city youth who are passionate about music, and play part in opening doors true to their potential. There’s not many identifiable access points into the music industry - I would like to open more, especially for those who don’t have a music degree or immediate friends and family who are “in”. I imagine by then, I will also have a stronger reputation and hopefully enough power behind my words to break things I believe in. I’ll definitely still just be adding layers to a legacy I want to build… I have a long term vision for it."

HID- What do you think of when I say the words New Detroit?
Drew- "I think there's a sense of hope that wasn't here even 5 years ago. I can only hope that this energy currently flowing in and around downtown spreads to the neighborhoods and touches the real Detroit."

HID- Who do you look up to and why?
Drew- "I look up to people like Marc LaBelle, Joe Gall, Garret Koehler, Coach K from Atlanta, Jax Anderson (Flint Eastwood), Marty Sheedy, my friends in general: all for different reasons, but it mostly just comes down to hustle, experience and being genuinely good +and gracious+ people."

HID- What’s the purpose of life?
Drew- "Live before you die; leave more than you take..."

HID- Coke or Pepsi?
Drew- "Cokenut water."

HID- Drink of choice?
Drew- "Jameson + cream soda is great. Try it."

~S

An Awesome Night with Boyz II Men @ Motor City Board

Photo Credit: George Mikla

Last night 90s R&B group Boyz II Men performed at Sound Board at Motor City Casino. The group is out on a short tour celebrating their 25th anniversary before they head back to Vegas to continue their residency at The Mirage. The Detroit date was hosted by Goodwill Industries. They called this the Harmonies and Hope concert, with proceeds going towards Goodwill in their efforts to help Metro Detroiters get back to work through job training and placement programs.

When I first got invited out to this show, my thoughts were "sure, why not? I loved 'Motown Philly' when I was a kid. " I didn't really know what to expect, but if nothing else it would be a fun night out. What I didn't expect was that this would be one of the best shows I have been to in a long time. The now trio of Boyz II Men interacted with the crowd, cracked some jokes, and played all of the fan favorites. (There were a few times that I had flashbacks to Jr. High School dances with songs like "End of the Road" and "On Bended Knee".) Then, in the middle of the show, the guys busted out their guitars and played some of their favorites. And I don't mean their favorite Boyz II Men songs, they played songs like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana and "Come Together" by The Beatles. This was definitely unexpected, but they nailed every song they played. It was awesome, to say the least.

Our good friend (and my +1 for the evening), George Mikla, compiled some awesome videos that he shot on his iPhone during the show. Check it out below.

I urge you to check Boyz II Men out next time they come to town or if you happen to be going to Las Vegas anytime soon. I heard from a friend that their Vegas show is phenomenal, and after last night, I definitely believe it!

~C

Catch the Debut of Euphoria Tonight at the New Dodge

Tonight the New Dodge Lounge is hosting an awesome metal show that you don't want to miss! They are bringing Witchaven to town from California and Steel Bearing Hand from Texas. These two bands are currently on a month long tour together, hitting states in the South, on the East Coast and in the Midwest. 

On top of a couple of great touring bands, this show also will feature Detroit's own Nuke and this is the first show for Eupohoria. Euphoria is a new thrash metal band featuring Justin Kelter, Bubba Colonna, Eric Lemmon and Louie Badalament. They haven't released any music yet, but they did post a video on their Facebook page recently. Check it out here.

Tonight's show is set to start at 9 p.m. and Eupohria hits the stage first. $10 gets you in the door and 18+ are welcome. For more info on this show, head over to the Facebook event page here.

~C

This Weekend - Detroit Gets Married

Are you engaged? Have you already met that special someone, but you don't have a ring on your finger yet? Do you or a friend plan on getting married some day? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is an event this weekend that you do not want to miss!

We've all heard of bridal shows before, a bunch of vendors smash into a banquet hall and try to sell you flowers, cakes, catering, photography services, and more. Well this event is a new, more awesome take on this old idea! This weekend Detroit Gets Married. No, Detroit isn't really getting married, but it kind of is. Here's the deal. You are invited to attend the ultimate wedding this weekend. It's being held at Jam Handy in Detroit and once you are inside, you will feel like you are partying the night away at your friend's wedding. You'll get to sample food from various caterers, dance to different wedding DJs, try wedding cakes, check out decor, and basically sample every type of vendor you might need to hire for your wedding. Instead of checking all of this out at boring displays, you will be experiencing it all as if you were at an actual wedding reception. One of the organizers behind the event, Kyle Ann, explains it all in this video:

About the event!

Detroit Gets Married 2016

Posted by Detroit Gets Married on Friday, February 26, 2016

Food, drinks, DJs, all of the info you could need to plan a wedding, all while having a fun night out! Plus this is even better than going to an actual wedding because you don't have to bring a gift or a big check compensating for the cost of your plate. All you need to do is buy a ticket for $30 here.

Detroit Gets Married this Saturday, March 19th. The party starts at 5 p.m. and will go until 10. 21+ are welcome. To see a full list of vendors participating in this event, click here.

Jam Handy is located at 2900 E. Grand Blvd. in Detroit. Like Kyle Ann mentioned, there will be free valet available and free coat check. For more info on this event visit the Facebook event page here or head to DetroitGetsMarried.com.

~C

Studio 30 Nails: There is Nothing a Fresh Manicure Can't Fix!

I have been on a quest to find a great place to get a gel manicure for a few years now. I have ventured out to salons all across Metro Detroit and haven't been able to find a place to get a good gel manicure that was worth my time and my money. There is only one nail studio that I have ever recommended (Rouge Nails Rocks!) and they are 100% vegan, which means they don't do gels. Every place I have gone has been sub-par to say the least. So, after years of peeling polish, gel polish that won't come off (a.k.a. has some sort of bonder added to it) and being treated like cattle being moved through an assembly line, I finally found a great nail place that takes nails seriously and does it right!

Studio 30 Nails is a small local nail studio in Birmingham, Michigan owned by two bad ass punk rock loving ladies named Erin and Tasha. Their studio is modest, but it has more than enough to give you what you need. They have a full list of services that that includes manis, pedis, facials and more. The best part is that there are only two mani/pedi chairs and one facial bed inside the space, which means that you most likely won't have to listen to someone talking on their cell phone the entire time you're enjoying your "relaxing" spa service. In fact, if you book a manicure or pedicure with a friend, you will be the only two people there. Which means you can bring a bottle of wine and talk about whatever you damn well please while you are getting treated like queens.

Both ladies are fun to chat with and knowledgeable about everything that they do. They know how to give a good manicure and pedicure that looks great and lasts. I was able to stretch my pedicure for over a month and my nails still looked great when I went to get the polish changed after two plus weeks! Erin was even willing to do something fun and ombre my nails when I was looking to spice up my manicure.

All Studio 30 services are by appointment only, but they make it easy for you by doing all of their scheduling online! You can log onto their site from your desktop or smartphone and book whatever services you would like, anytime you would like. You don't have to call in and deal with anyone, you just log on and figure out what works best for you! You will know when you have to be there, how long you will be there, and how much it is going to cost up front. which I like!

The ladies also run lots of monthly specials. You can follow them online to keep up with all of the latest deals and specials! If you are looking for a great place to get a great manicure and pedicure or facial, look no further than Studio 30 Nails!

~S 

Have a Non-Traditional St. Patrick's Day at The Painted Lady

This Thursday, March 17th bars across Metro Detroit will be filled with tons of people with one goal, to get drunk. St. Patrick's Day brings out the best and the worst in people. It can be fun to go bar hopping, but it can also be dangerous. If you want to go out, but are not looking for the typical green beer celebration, I recommend heading up to The Painted Lady in Hamtramck to check out some great live music and have a few beers.

NYC's Not Blood Paint are coming to play The Painted Lady. If you're not familiar with their music, you should check it out here. All four members of the band are originally from Michigan and they are looking forward to returning to their home state to perform. They will be playing alongside Blakdog and Five Pound Snap. Tickets to attend the show are $5 at the door and 18+ are welcome to attend.

~S 

Marche Du Nain Rouge

In 1702, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the French founder of Detroit, claimed he was having dreams of a little red devil. He went to see a fortune teller and was told that devil that he dreamt of was the Nain Rouge, also known as the harbinger of doom. The fortune teller told Antoine that if he choose to settle in the straits between Michigan and Ontario he might turn a profit, but it would be a long uphill battle fraught with setbacks. Eventually, Cadillac saw the little red devil in person and instead of running or cowering in fear he chose to confront him. He chased the Nain Rouge away with a stick. His fatal mistake was to let the Nain see his face. The Nain continued to taunt him nonstop after he settled in those plains; he eventually had to return to France penniless.

Cadillac had courage against all odds and stood up to fight, a defining characteristic of the city he founded, now called Detroit. When Cadillac left for France the Nain Rouge decided to stay on and continue to haunt our city. Every year we gather to chase him out of our city, but we do not make the same mistake that Cadillac made. We remember to cover our faces so that the Nain Rougewon't be able to find us when he returns.

Detroiters, let's meet up this Sunday and chase that little red devil out of our town! If you are ready to stand up for our city, wear your favorite disguise and march up Cass Ave. to chase the Nain Rouge away for another year. We will be meeting at Second Ave. and Canfield at 1 p.m. For details about the marche and to learn more about the events of the day visit MarcheDuNainRouge.com.

 No red eyed dwarf with furry boots is going to keep this city down! Viva Detroit!

~S

Hip In Detroit Reviews the Huron Room

This weekend I finally had the chance to check out the Huron Room. This new(ish) restaurant opened its doors last November to rave reviews from everyone I knew, so I have been eager to have a meal there. I stopped in for lunch this Saturday and was pleased to see that the food lived up to the hype. This is the third restaurant that Jacques and Christine Driscoll have opened in Detroit, the duo also owns Johnny Noodle King and Green Dot Stables.

The Huron Room specializes in american style seafood paired with locally made spirits. Their menu features a wide variety of appetizers, including Michigan made meats and cheeses, perogies, veggie skewers, a brussel sprout salad, and quail eggs. Their entrees include steak and chips, tur-duck meatloaf, and a basket of frog legs. They also have a "choose your own" menu where you can get fish and chips. grilled fish, fish tacos, or a fried fish sandwich cooked to order. It was hard to decide, but I decided to try to the brussel sprout salad and the fish tacos made with white fish, which happened to be the daily special.

The salad was made of leeks, fennel, dill, pecorino cheese and topped with lemon vinaigrette. It was amazing, the dressing and the cheese paired perfectly.

My entree came with three fish tacos, coleslaw, and a mixture of vegetables. I was pleasantly surprised by the large portions that I was presented with. There was way more food than I could eat, which was unfortunate because it was just as tasty as every one told me it was. I got my fish grilled and topped each one with the sour cream and red corn sauce that were served with the tacos.
There was also a large drink list that include lots of local made alcohols, wines and beers. I wasn't in the drinking mood, but if I was there were more than enough choices. Everything I ordered was better than I hoped. The fish was fresh and the restaurant was cool because it had its own spin on some of my favorite seafood staples. The portions were more than ample and the food was reasonably priced. This restaurant is on my new list of favorites. I highly suggest checking it out as soon as possible.

~S