Acoustic Alternatives

Ma Reilly is a new electro folk project from Michigan songwriter Annie Bacon. Stepping away from the familiar folk leaning music she's been making for over a decade to explore, in her words, "a deeply personal interrogation of trauma and dissociation, and their long term effects on memory and connection."The songs in this performance differ greatly from what will be released on the album Exile to Neptune, as they are performed on guitar. As a bonus, Ma Reilly stepped aside so Annie Bacon could perform a song she had literally just written earlier in the day.Songs written by Annie BaconGive It GraceDeath/DangerHow to Love an Aquarius (temporary title)Learn more about Ma Reilly/Annie Bacon: https://anniebacon.me/homeFind more sessions on Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesNothing and I mean nothing happens on this podcast without Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

Oakland Rain weren't on my radar until their promoter made me aware of the tour they were on with the legendary Judy Collins. For a young duo from Norway to be out with such a well respected music legend, they must be good. And, oh my, I was not prepared for what I was feeling being in the room with these two sister when they sang. The microphones don't do it justice.By the end of this session, Maren and Charlotte Wallevik Hansen will have your full attention and you'll love their joy and their laugh and especially their harmony.Songs written by Maren and Charlotte Wallevik Hansen:I'm Scared of EverythingIf You Were A SongDear JosephineGet your feet a little wetter: https://www.oaklandrain.com/Find more sessions on Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesNothing and I mean nothing happens on this podcast without Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

Album number 13 from Jill Jack comes in her 29th year of releasing music independently. The 14 track affair is an exploration of all the musical styles that makes up the 50+ time Detroit Music Award winner.On this unprecedented third visit to Grove Studios, Jill brought along band mates Mark Iannace and Michael Robertson to more closely resemble the record.Somewhere along the way, you get to learn about something long time Jill Jack fans probably don't know about what's ahead for 2027 and hear tracks from Wildflower performed in a trio setting.Make Hay While the Sun Shines (written by Jill Jack)Crooked Crown (written by Jill Jack)Wildflowers (written by Dolly Parton)Over and Over Again (written by Jill Jack and Craig Carrick)All the info you'll need about Jill Jack: https://www.jilljack.com/Catch up on previous Acoustic Alternatives episodes: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesBook your space at Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

18 years after I first heard this magical voice that blew me away, Kylee Phillips is finally releasing her first full length album. During what appears to be at least our eighth time sitting down in a similar setting, you'll learn about the new record, Before I Am Invisible and further tidbits that maybe you didn't learn about in my other podcasts since Acoustic Alternatives launched in 2020. Husband, guitarist and engineer Chris DuPont (who made this sound amazing) sits in. This one is a must listen.All songs written by Kylee Phillips:What Living's LikeInvisibleBurningStorytellerFind Kylee on the Internet: https://www.kyleephillips.com/homeSubscribe to Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesGrove Studio provides support and you should support them: https://grovestudios.space/

Here's a session recorded on Oct 16, 2026 at Robin Hill Farm for the CDL Songfest. I was asked to do the interview for this planned performance. I thought it was worth an ask to see if Chris would let me record it for the podcast. He said yes, but that wasn't relayed to the gentlemen running sound. I wasn't given the opportunity to do a sound check with my recording equipment, so what you are hearing is a mixdown of the audio from the three video cameras I had set up in the room.Not the best quality, which probably bothers me more than you, but here it is, warts and all. It includes his performance after the interview!

Markus Hartnett, Mike Francis, Brian Williams, Charlie Reischl & Tony Pace are the SE Michigan Americana band The Minor Pieces.A listen to this flawed audio (the source mix was great, the feed to my recording device not so much and me forgetting to turn off the reverb on the first section of interview) will reveal bits and pieces about how the band formed and a bit about each band member. A new band, a first album and I believe a first full band interview. It's my pleasure to introduce you to The Minor Pieces.Songs written by Hartnett and Francis:AbileneDown From The MountainAbout You and MeBad NewsFollow The Minor Pieces here:https://theminorpieces.com/Subscribe to all things Acoustic Alternatives here: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesRent Grove Studios here: https://grovestudios.space/

Katie Greene, formerly known as Katie Pederson, impressed me the first time I saw her play an outdoor open mic at the Ann Arbor Art Fair many years ago. I knew I was seeing a special talent and I am so happy that success is finding its way to her. Her trio, The Rebel Eves, is making head way into the hearts of listeners across the country (and soon enough on the Hill Auditorium for the Ann Arbor Folk Festival in 2027). Meanwhile, Katie has a new name and a new album called Emerald coming and I was very happy to chat with her about it at Grove Studios.Songs, written by Katie Greene:SpringHard Part of HealingEmeraldCommon DenominatorFollow and learn more about Katie here: https://www.katiegreenesongs.com/Keep track of all things and subscribe to Acoustic Alternatives here: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesThe real heroes for AA are the good folks at Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

Kelsey. is the new moniker for an Ann Arbor based singer who has changed her style (and persona) since the release of her debut recordings as Ceolsige in 2022.Love Hard is an ambitious new 16 track release that explores the many sides of Kelsey. A little pop and a lot more rock in a style she calls "disco rock."These acoustic takes on piano and guitar don't truly reflect the hard work that went into making Love Hard, but they do give you a sense of who Kelsey. is as a songwriter and performer. Get to know Kelsey. before the rest of the world does. All songs written by Kelsey Detering:Our EyesEternal FlameAnswer To LoveWasted.Learn more about Kelsey. at https://kelseyperiod.com/home Listen to more Acoustic Alternatives at https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesBook Grove Studios for all your practice needs (and tell them I sent you) https://grovestudios.space/

Another talent from the vast Michigan music scene made their way to Grove Studios for Acoustic Alternatives. Ani Mari is originally from Marquette (and, as we learn, may return to live there some day), but migrated to Ann Arbor to go to the University of Michigan.She got attention at the age of 12 in a duo she was in singing by performing a song about a festival at the actual festival and the ball started rolling. Now a decade+ later, school is behind her and capturing the hearts of music lovers everywhere is ahead of her. A new album coming this summer, produced by Chris DuPont, and a tour lined up to promote it, on Acoustic Alternatives you get a taste of what Ani is all about. A bright future awaits this one.Songs written by Ani Mari:GenevieveTokyoBurnoutJosephineMore about Ani: https://animarimusic.com/Catch up on 100+ episodes of Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesEternal gratitude to Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

The gifted artist Julianne Ankley joins me for a second visit on the podcast, this time with the generous help of Ryan Anderson from Sound Space Detroit for which I am very grateful for. Julianne is really hitting a creative stride in her career. After being in a band (Redhill) that garnered national attention and putting out some solo material since 2009, things really seem to be going in the right direction. Her latest single, Polar Train, reached far and wide and the new single performed in this session sounds poised for further success.It was a pleasure to have the chance to chat with her again. Enjoy!Songs written by Julianne AnkleyWhat Makes You DancePolar TrainCheap ThrillsMore about Julianne: https://www.julianneankley.com/and her beautiful art: https://www.julianneankleyart.com/Find over a hundred other episodes of Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternativesNone of this would have ever happened without Grove Studios getting the ball rolling: https://grovestudios.space/