Singer-songwriter Blake Elliott is a staple on the Traverse City music scene, whether it's playing in her signature style — a fusion of jazz, folk and soul — or hosting open mic nights.

But as much as she loves her hometown, Elliott is ready to hit the road — from the Great Lakes State to the Midwest and beyond — more often and for longer periods of time.

Elliott visited the Record-Eagle podcast studio recently to talk about her music and her career.

On The Record — Blake Elliott

Acoustic funk rocker Rob Coonrod studied guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy, attended CalArts in Los Angeles (where he played with the band Three Trees), and recorded an album — "Unidentified Funk Objective" — in 2013.

Now back in Traverse City, Coonrod hosts open mic nights Mondays at Left Foot Charley and Wednesdays at Taproot Cider House.

But as much as he loves music, Coonrod isn't a One Note Johnny. Instead he studies and practices everything from mushroom-growing to environmental advocacy.

The artist stopped by the Record-Eagle podcast studio recently to talk about his music and his life. Listen to the full On the Record podcast starting at noon Feb. 1, and keep reading for some of his conversation with host Noelle Riley.

On The Record — Rob Coonrod

TRAVERSE CITY — They took their name from their work recording in lofts in downtown Pontiac. Now The Lofteez — multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Karin Pierson (Karin E) and guitarist and bassist Tiffany Falls (Riffin Tiff) — play everywhere from festivals, theaters and concert venues to schools, libraries, community centers and private homes.

The musicians and storytellers — life partners as well as musical partners — play an eclectic mix of covers and originals with influences from nearly all genres. One of their original songs can be heard on the nonprofit Project Cinema/Brauer Productions short film "The Sheets of Sand," which will screen locally in the spring.

On The Record — The Lofteez

May Erlewine may be best-known for her folk and Americana — she’s sometimes called “the Michigan songbird” — but she grew up in northern Michigan listening to soul singers and Motown music. So it’s no surprise that she and her boogie-groove-dance band The Motivations are tearing it up at house parties and concerts all over Michigan — and beyond.

Erlewine is touring out of state more with each season and recently made her first U.K. tour. All while writing, recording and producing new music.

Catch her visit to the On the Record podcast starting at noon April 5 and keep reading for some of her conversation with host Noelle Riley.

On The Record — May Erlewine

It’s heady stuff to be lauded for your “scrumptious sounds” and “compelling songwriting” by the likes of HuffPost and NPR. But The Accidentals — arguably the darlings of the region’s music scene — have handled their rising popularity with aplomb, staying true to who they are musically and personally and remaining grounded in the community that helped launch their career.

The band recently stopped by the Record-Eagle’s On the Record podcast before releasing their new live album and embarking on their first U.K. tour. Catch their music and conversation with host Noelle Riley.

On The Record — The Accidentals

With a curious name like Broom Closet Boys, a catalog of tunes that includes a “Dumb & Dumber” medley, and gigs ranging from special events and outdoor festivals to brew pubs and wineries, musicians Chris Smith, Mike Morrison and Bruce Braden are making a name for themselves in northwest Michigan.

The power trio — founded the day after Christmas in 2011 — is known for its covers of popular tunes from across the decades by artists ranging from Queen to the Backstreet Boys, Tom Petty to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Steely Dan to Lionel Richie. Now the band is readying for a busy summer, with 18 gigs in Traverse City and Leelanau County alone. It’s also setting its sights on other regions in the state.  

Smith, 32, Morrison, 31, and Braden, 32, stopped by the Record-Eagle podcast studio to play and talk music, friendship and more.

On The Record — Broom Closet Boys

TRAVERSE CITY — Lively covers, entertaining banter and more original music than needles on a conifer. They’re what Jack Pine delivers every time it takes the stage, band members say.

And if their sound has beachside vibes (mixed with a little classic rock ‘n’ roll), it may be because the musicians — Miles Prendergast, John Ransom, Andrew Thomas and Ryan McGee — like to spend down time enjoying cold brews, limes and outdoor activities, including long walks on the beach.

Prendergast and Thomas stopped by the Record-Eagle podcast studio recently to talk music and their careers.

On The Record — Jack Pine

TRAVERSE CITY — Miriam Picó is one of the region’s most recognizable entertainers, whether it’s performing for local TV commercials, on stage at the Old Town Playhouse, at winery and concert venues, or with kids at Little Bird School of Song.

The singer-songwriter recently stopped by the Record-Eagle podcast studio to perform and chat with On the Record podcast host Noelle Riley.

On The Record — Mariam Pico

Musician Chris Sterr’s guitar-playing fingers are on multiple projects throughout the local music scene.

In addition to being a solo artist, the Traverse City musician performs with a trio called The Pocket and also plays with Stolen Silver, which is releasing a four-song live EP that Sterr helped produce.

Sterr stopped by Interlochen Public Radio’s Studio A to record this month’s On the Record podcast, which streams on soundcloud.com/recordeagle starting at noon today and later on interlochenpublicradio.org. Host Noelle Riley, IPR news director, produces the podcast in partnership with the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

On The Record — Chris Sterr

Matthew Mansfield can be heard across northern Michigan on any given day. Not only is he a DJ for Z93 radio Monday through Saturday, but he also performs live at several venues throughout the region. To top it off, he has two young boys at home.

He sat down with Interlochen Public Radio News Director Noelle Riley to chat about his passion with words and music. Riley is formerly a freelancer for the Record-Eagle.

On The Record — Matthew Mansfield

The Traverse City Record-Eagle brings you the latest news and the most intersting interviews with people making an impact in northern Michigan and beyond. Check out the weekly podcasts hosted by Brendan Quealy.

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