Acoustic Alternatives

Jen Cass grew up in the Metro Detroit area and now calls Flushing, MI home. After three successful solo albums, she started a new project with her husband Eric Janetsky called The Lucky Nows. Their excellent second album is due out in June of 2024. Jen talks about her life and plays three emotionally charged songs from the new album and one from their first.

All songs written by Jen Cass (except where noted):

Broken Homes and Hearts of Gold

Syracuse

The Lesson (Jen Cass, Michael Robertson, Eric Janetsky, Jack Redmond Barnes)

Girl With No Name

Find out more about The Lucky Nows: https://theluckynows.com/home

Get information about all things Acoustic Alternatives related including how to support me on Patreon so I can do better videos: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

It doesn't happen without the support of the team at Grove Studios. Musicians or DJs, this is a place you can practice and make as much noise as you need: https://grovestudios.space/

It's been a long and varied journey for Dan Navarro. From co-writing one of the biggest hits of the 80s, to voice acting, to touring and releasing a plethora of material as part of Lowen and Navarro.

If you only know his music, get ready to learn more about some of the other things he's been part of and is also known for. If you don't know him at all, get ready to hear what you've been missing.

Songs written by Dan Navarro:

"She Dreams In Music"

"Better Man"

"Circling the Drain" (co write with Deborah Holland)"

"All Is Quiet"

More about Dan Navarro: https://dannavarro.com/

More about Acoustic Alternatives and how you can support it: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Find Grove Studios, the home of the podcast, at: https://grovestudios.space/

Dearborn, MI's Jo Serrapere's first visit to the podcast happened as part of a live show at Trinity House in Livonia, MI in April of 2022. I encourage you to go back and listen to that one to learn more about this Michigan treasure.

Jo is ambitiously releasing two albums at once this Spring and the second chat was based around celebrating that. Hear acoustic versions of some of the songs before they are released into the wild.

All songs written by Jo Serrapere:

"In the Arms of Angels"

"This American Dream"

"Life and All"

Find out more about Jo on her website:

https://joserrapere.com/

Find out more about what I am doing and how to support it via Patreon:

https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Grove Studios makes it all possible. Rent their space to practice in:

https://grovestudios.space/

Here is the audio only visit with Australian born guitarist extraordinaire, Kyran Daniel. You may want to watch the video too in order to enjoy his guitar playing with your eyes. Tommy Emmanuel thought he was good enough to take him on tour when Kyran was just a teenager, so you know you are dealing with someone very talented, even if you haven't heard him before.

Learn more about him and how to support him here: https://www.kyrandaniel.com

All songs written by Kyran Daniel

"Pensieri" 

"Sangria"

"Like the Night Itself"

Interested in supporting me on Patreon and finding out about the other things I am doing? https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

None of this happens without Grove Studios. Need a place to practice and be loud?

https://grovestudios.space/

Mike Vial is an Ann Arbor based singer/songwriter, teacher, father, and husband who is doing a 20 year celebration of playing gigs, teaching books, and ranting rants at The Ark in Ann Abor on May 23, 2024, opening for a mutual favorite (and previous podcast guest), Ari Hest.

Vial is prepping a new release due out soon and he plays a couple of new ones and a couple of old ones and we both have a strong reaction to his third performance. Don't miss it.

Songs written by Mike Vial

Free To Dream

I Just Want To Be Your Last

Two Angels (June 22, 1996 - Ann Arbor)

Burning Bright

Find out more about Mike:

http://mikevial.com/?fbclid=IwAR1hjEpVSE2VKEUCPl54ucYGM2c2IoLCAQTsY4VKkSkGCLiAHKrZbd_dCX0

Find out more about Acoustic Alternatives and how to support it:

https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Find out more about Grove Studios:

https://grovestudios.space/

Harmonica legend, Grammy winner, blues, folk, world music and rock musician not to mention all around beloved member of the Ann Arbor music scene, Peter Madcat Ruth joins me to celebrate 3/4 of a century of life and a life mostly spent playing music.

His 75th birthday celebration takes place at The Ark in Ann Arbor on April 2, 2024.

Songs include

Jaw Harp Improvisation (Ruth)

Pocket Full of Soul (Ruth)

Phonograph Blues (Robert Johnson)

Walk Right In (Gus Cannon)

Visit his website: https://www.petermadcatruth.com/ to learn even more about him.

Visit my website https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives to find out how to support me and my other related activities.

Visit Grove Studios website to book space for your band, podcast, etc. https://grovestudios.space/

Will Kimbrough plays rock, stripped down folk, Americana, and Country. He is an in demand guitar player, producer and songwriter. Oh and an author working on a book of the stories of his life. You'll hear tales of his adventures and collaborations with Jimmy Buffet, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, and a young R.E.M.

My relationship with his music started in 1989 with a self titled record by his band Will and the Bushmen (which I recommend if you are a fan of Crowded House, find it HERE). One of my favorite songs of all time that you've probably never heard is on there. It's also within our conversation.

Will has a lot to say and has a great story. Get comfortable. This is a long one.

Songs performed written by Will Kimbrough except where noted:

"I Like It Down Here"

"Bubbles Up (co written with Jimmy Buffet)"

"Like Laughing"

"Closer To the Ground"

Find out more about Will here: https://www.willkimbrough.com/

Found out more about Acoustic Alternatives and how to support me on Patreon for bonus content: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Found out how to book Grove Studios for your band practice, podcast, DJ practice, etc. here: https://grovestudios.space/

Back in 2016 I discovered a young singer by the name of Katie Pederson. By 2018 I was pretty invested in singing her praises while she continued to put out great music on albums like The Landing and Limitless. On our last visit in a studio together on the Acoustic Alternatives podcast, you may have learned more about her. This time I was very happy to welcome her new project with her friends Jilian Linklater (who I had also first heard in 2016) and Grace Theisen. I got to see one of their first shows awhile ago and I knew immediately I wanted to find a way to get the trio on the podcast so you could be introduced to them too.

Turns out, this is their first interview as a group.

Songs include:

"The Rebel Eves"

"Long Gone Don Juan"

"American Dream"

"Trying To Find Healing"

Songs written by Katie Pederson, Jillian Linklater, Grace Theisen.

Learn more about the trio at:

https://www.therebeleves.com/

Thanks to Grove Studios!

https://grovestudios.space/

Support me and find out more here:

https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

I've been waiting years to present this episode. It's been ten years in between releases for Yspilanti, MI's, Adam Plomaritas. As soon as I started doing this podcast I told him "I want to do something when that next release is ready"

It's been worth the wait. The EP, Old Time Love, is A+ excellent. It's got a full band and horns, unlike these stripped down performances, but you can hear the voice and the songs in all their glory from Adam's basement studio.

Songs include:

"All I Need Is You"

"Love On Your Side"

"Love Me Better"

"How Does It Feel"

All songs written by Adam Plomaritas.

https://www.adamplomaritas.com/

More about Acoustic Alternatives:

https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Raised in Manitowoc, WI, but now calling Ann Arbor, MI home, Judy Banker is set to release her fourth record, Bonafide, on November the 4th. Filled with deeply personal lyrics and backed by a great band, this new release, produced by her son Ben, is her best yet in my opinion.

Learn more about the four sides of Judy (singer/songwriter, photographer, psychologist and non-profit founder) in this conversation that also includes performances of three new songs:

"Taciturn Heart"

"Bonafide"

"After It Ends"

all songs written by Judy Banker. More at https://www.judybanker.com/

Support me on Patreon and find out more about Acoustic Alternatives at https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Recorded at Grove Studios on Oct 17, 2023

Special guest...some cricket that wandered in at the end.