Sunday Sip

A delicious newsletter from your friends at Life In Michigan

Happy Sunday Morning to you all! You know the drill: grab a gigantic mug of brew, and let’s get this party started.

November: Doom, Gloom, or ?

I’ll be honest; I’m not a fan of November in Michigan. While the ever changing variety of gray, black, and browns with a random hint of green can be intriguing, dare I say beguiling, it is still November. The dazzling technicolor show put on by our friends, the maples, birch, beech, and oak in October, is a fading memory. The leaves make one last grand showing with a carpet of color upon the lawn. The clocks have rolled back, making the diminishing hours of light that much more fleeting. November’s sullen skies and somber mood threaten doom and gloom for the weary mind. 

As I was remarking for the eleventy second time to Brenda about the palate of gray in the sky and the ceaseless blustering of the wind, I had a thought. I’m typically a fairly positive person. I try to see my pint as half full instead of empty. How can I see November in a new light?

My mind searched for ways to see November as festive and fun. Sure, we’ve got feasting time with family to enjoy at the end of the month before we launch into the holiday frenzy. But what else? What can make November seem like a boon instead of a bane? Side note: when you hear or read the word “Bane,” do you think of the song “Broon’s Bane” by Rush on Exit Stage Left? You know, the prequel to “Trees”? No? Just me…ok, I’ll move on.

November, dour is thy day. November, oh, my lugubrious and most lamentable of months. How do I transform my view like the sunflower turns toward the sun? Speaking of the sun, thou art a fickle and less seen friend. Don’t ask where the near Shakespearean language is coming from. I suspect my Japanese mulberry tea is talking.

Where was I? Oh yes, the most dire of months, November. Another fun side note while we are rambling in search of November’s joy. My friend Seth Thompson mentioned on Facebook recently, “I don't mind the time change. And I don't mind cold November weather. But I DO mind that every time it looks like rain for the next month, I'm going to get that Guns N Roses song stuck in my head.” I actually laughed. That song, like that band, is just not for me. Thankfully, I don’t even remember how the tune goes, so I thankfully will avoid Seth’s purgatory.

November, you gray-suited stud muffin of a month, how do I make you shine in my mind? Ah, here it is. A ray of light to cast away the clouds, November is Michigan Craft Beverage month. Yes, our fine and most wonderful Governor Witmer proclaimed on November 1:

• WHEREAS, Michigan's craft beverage industry represents more than 195 wineries, 90 hard cider producers, 85 small distillers, and 300 breweries who continue to produce nationally recognized, award-winning craft beverages; and,

• WHEREAS, Michigan’s craft beverage industry is inextricably tied to agriculture, with more than 3,375 wine grape acres, 670 hop acres, and expansive acreage of apples, fruits, wheat, corn, barley, and other grains dedicated to craft beverage production; and,

• WHEREAS, Michigan ranks seventh in the nation for craft distilleries, ninth in the nation for wine production, sixth in the nation for craft breweries, and is consistently a top producer of hard cider; and,

• WHEREAS, the state’s craft beverage industry encompasses a total of approximately 600 craft beverage producers which contribute to economic and community vitality throughout Michigan, thriving at the intersect of agricultural development, value-added processing, and beverage manufacturing; and,

• WHEREAS, Michigan craft beverage companies are a dynamic component of community placemaking efforts and the state’s tourism industry; and,

• WHEREAS, during this month, we join with Michigan consumers by supporting our local, regional, and statewide craft beverage producers through holiday meal planning, gift-giving, and safe, responsible festivities;

• NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 2023 as Michigan Craft Beverage Month in Michigan.

Hail November, and cheers to Michigan Craft beverages! Not that I need much of an excuse to delight in Michigan craft beverages. However, having the month dedicated to the artisans, the scientists, the alchemists, dare I say, the magicians who provide us with supercalifragilisticexpialidocious elixirs must surely turn all gray skies to blue.

I would take the proclamation one step further by making my own declaration. Whereas, Michigan is endowed with a stupidly rich and diverse population of artisans spanning all the arts and crafts. From musicians and woodworkers to masters of woolen wonder to painters to potters to wizards of glass to enchanters of the written word, we have it all right here in Michigan. Whereas, we are about to embark on seasons of thanks and giving. Now, therefore, I, Chuck Marshall, Michigan gnome, fantabulous photographer, and all-around humble dude, do hereby proclaim November 2023 as Michigan Craft Everything month. Shop small, shop local, shop Michigan 🙂 Make this November your month of bliss, happiness, and light. And when in doubt, enjoy a Michigan craft beverage with friends and family.

Upcoming Events You Won't Want to Miss

Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival at DeVos Place on November 16 - 18

Cavalcade Evergreens album release at Rugger’s Up and Under in Kalamazoo on November 17 with Drink Their Blood, Lucious Fox, Slugchild, and Blind Haven. This will be epic! An array of some of the finest heavy bands in Michigan. 

Black Note Graffiti at The Pike Room in Pontiac on November 17th with Edison Hollow, Warhorses, The Visitor, and Press Your Luck. Another stacked bill featuring an array of rock music that will blow your mind. 

Chirp at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor on November 17th with Giving Moon and Violet-Sol. A night of epic grooves with so much soul you won’t have to attend church for the rest of your life!

Cetan Clawson at Manchester Underground Music at Raisin River Distillery in Manchester on November 18th - Blues rock at its finest. Cetan blazes on the guitar, and you can see him up close and personal at the Raisin River Distillery, brought to you by the awesome team at Manchester Underground Music and Art! Don’t miss this…as an incentive, check out this video of Cetan paying homage to the great Jimi Hendrix!

Fangs & Twang You Monster album release at Ziggys in Ypsilanti on December 1 with Anna Lee's Company and Head Full of Ghosts—a great night of fun and funky country music.

Finality at The Sanctuary in Hamtramck on December 1 with Cyadine, Supreme Mystic, Centenary, Convulsis - Metal, metal, metal and more metal! This lineup will destroy you (in a good way). Get there early to see the greatest thrash band in Michigan and get things started out right!

The Idiot Kids Chapels Album release at Outer Limits Lounge in Detroit on December 2nd with Cult of Spaceskull and Carmel Liburdi. I just had a great conversation with Jon Mikal of The Idiot Kids, and their new album is fantastic. Enjoy a night of punk rock mayhem.

Electric Huldra at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti on December 2nd with Warhorses and Good Man’s Brother - saddle up for a night of hard rock fury with some of Detroit’s best rock.

Wilson Thicket at Manchester Underground Music at Raisin River Distillery in Manchester on December 9th - Wilson Thicket is the best bluegrass meets Americana band in the country. Having them in Manchester at the Raisin River Distillery will be a night to remember.

Annual 4 Elf Festival at Dark Horse Brewing in Marshall on December 9th - Fabulous beers, great food, and kick ass music from Father Stone, Fat Animals, and Starfarm. Get there early, spend the night, and let's party!

Adventures Yet To Print

We’ve got so much content and so little time! And we are doing this full-time 🙂 Brenda’s got our Marquette adventure in the works. She is also working on an article about Hops in Michigan for a new magazine called Live, Love, Local Michigan. On top of that, I’m working on a couple of features for Rural Innovation Exchange- one on the outstanding Michigan Military Heritage Museum and another on the great people at Manchester Underground Music and Art. Also in the hopper are stories in our vinyl and beer series for Marquette and Detroit. As you read this, we’ll be recovering from the Ogma Two Year anniversary party and will have stories to share on that one, too.

What Are You Reading?

I hate to dis a book, but I feel like I should share my honest opinion about Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain by Andrew McCarthy. You may remember Andrew from 90’s hits Pretty In Pink or St. Elmo’s Fire. He’s moved on to writing and does a fine job of sharing his journey with his oldest son. The problem is that it gets old quickly. His son seems like most kids, but in a way, somewhat immature, which is grating. Instead of playing up the journey, McCarthy spends most of his time perseverating on parenting, his bad relationship with his father, and his fears of failure on many fronts. 

I suppose it is a revealing look at a father and son, but as a travel journal not so much. I guess one thing this book does in terms of travel is to whip away the notion of ever walking El Camino de Santiago. From McCarthy’s description, it sounds like walking along busy highways and through industrial corridors. No, thank you. A long-distance multi-day jaunt sounds intriguing, but not the Camino de Santiago.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Clanlands in New Zealand: Kiwis, Kilts, and an Adventure Down Under by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish. This book goes behind the scenes on their Men In Kilts travel show. The writing is fun and reflective. Sure, there is a ton of corny banter, but it is humorous. So far, they are providing some insightful history of New Zealand, which makes their story all the more compelling. So far, I’m loving this one.

What Are You Spinning?

So, did you know that I used to be the lead guitarist in a heavy metal band called Battalion? Yep, I made my dream of playing on a stage and recording my own music a reality back in the early 90s,  just as heavy metal was getting kicked in the balls by grunge. Clearly, I didn’t become famous or tour with Metallica. Yet, I’m damn proud of the music we made and haven’t recently listened to our last release called Excessive Force. It still stands up over time. Honestly, I couldn't listen to it for the longest time after recording that album. I just could not get myself out of the music. I heard all the problems, the mistakes. I felt it didn’t measure up. With time, I got myself out of my head and heard it as a fan of metal music. My conclusion, it rules. There, I said it.

Beyond my own shit, I’m so enamored with Cavalcade’s new album Evergreens. I just got the vinyl, and it blows the digital recording away. The music comes alive on vinyl, and it is outstanding. I wrote a review on Life In Michigan if you are curious.

Another killer slab of vinyl that was delivered to my door is Locust Point’s Michigan Drag. This power trio from Lansing lays it all on the line and scores huge with big burly rock that checks all the boxes. With powerful and tight percussion, stompin bass, dangerous riffs, and fist clenching leads, Locust Point is lean, mean, and ready to fight.

Another great listen is something that isn’t quite out for public consumption yet. The stellar musicians and progressive rock composition masters from Lucius Fox have created what must surely be the best album released in 2023 with Medicea Sidera. This instrumental album is a phenomenal soundscape that depicts the moons of Jupiter. I’m working on a review, which I’ll hopefully share before the album comes out on December 8th. Let’s just say this music is magnificent. I hope they get signed by a label that will invest in vinyl, as this album is full of soaring compositions that will transcend on vinyl.

Fans With Bands

For your listening pleasure, I’ve got the interview with the doom band Temple Of The Fuzz Witch coming out this Wednesday (November 15th) on Fans With Bands. You can listen while waiting for that big buck to step into the crosshairs on opening day. 

You can join me on December 6th at 7 p.m. to talk with Soul Responsibility. And I’m very excited to talk with one of my musical heroes, Brian Thomas, of the legendary Halloween on December 19th at 7 p.m. 

That’s A Wrap

Shoo Wee Ilean! I hope you enjoyed this week’s Sip. Drop a comment or email us to let us know if you are getting what you’d hoped from the Sunday Sip. Also, jump on Substack, and let's start a one-on-one conversation. Brenda and I hope your week is fantastic and hope to see you all soon! As custom, here is a goofy photo that hopefully makes you smile. Cheers!