Features | iSPY Magazine

The Crane Wives

Light Up Electric Forest The Crane Wives’ story is both charming and unlikely. Grand Valley State University students and aspiring musicians Kate Pillsbury and Emilee Petersmark worked at the same Chinese restaurant where the...

by Amanda Slater

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Passion Pit

The dark story behind one of music’s brightest burning stars. When the single, “Take a Walk,” was released, some Passion Pit fans were a bit confused. It was the first single off “Gossamer,” the band’s sophomore eff...

by Amanda Slater

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“I moved back to Detroit because people have greater respect for each other here, and I believe in Detroit. I believe in the talent and hard work ethic here.”

The Twisted Fury of Dave Donaldson

Television Actor by Day, Comedian by Night by Ryan M. Place Making people laugh is a much needed public service, especially in these topsy-turvy times of economic hardship, and sometimes a notebook and a head full of funny idea...

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Give the Gift of Michigan-Made!

Local Buying Guide Why buying local makes a difference Here in Michigan we are incredibly fortunate to have such a vibrant community of people interested in supporting local producers, artisans and locally-owned businesses of a...

by Stefanie Stauffer

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ESMZ-Photo Credit - Laure Vincent-Bouleau

The Magical World of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

If you think Edward Sharpe is one of the members of the 10-plus member band called Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, you’d be wrong. Edward Sharpe is actually a fictional character created in the mind of group frontman Al...

by Amanda Slater

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Saturday Looks Good to Me: One Kiss Ends It All

Photo by Doug Coombe Genius. Perhaps that word’s too liberally used in realms of culture reporting. Sometimes, maybe, it’s prematurely pinned on mere modest musical projects rolling out of local studios, week to week, track...

by Jeff Milo

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The Beer Snob’s Guide to Michigan Brews

by David Nassar Okay, maybe snob is too strong of a word. I prefer beer-enthusiast because, in the end, it’s this enthusiasm that has made Michigan “The Great Beer State.” With so many amazing brew-pubs and microbrewe...

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Cursive Brings New Life to Prog-Rock

photos by Daniel Muller After more than 15 years together, Cursive’s newest album, “I Am Gemini,” is a heavy, theatrical, prog-rock narrative of biblical proportions. Cursive has technically been around since 1995, and, w...

by David Nassar

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The Secret Music of Absofacto

When you first meet Jonathan Visger, he seems like just the kind of guy you would expect to meet in the Ypsilanti / Ann Arbor area for many reasons – he’s smart and cultured with an understated way about him, a dry sense of...

by Amanda Slater

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Sweet Escapes

by Dwight Thomas Delicious confections from The Rocket will satisfy any sweet tooth on a rainy day in downtown Ypsilanti. The Rocket is a candies and novelties store located at 122 Michigan Avenue, and we couldn’t have asked...

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