MICHIGAN RATTLERS
Los Angeles, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2016 | SELF
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Michigan Rattlers
Sounds Like: Deceptively simplistic Midwestern country-folk channeled through an engaging push-pull duo dynamic
For Fans of: Whiskeytown-era Ryan Adams, early Wilco, the acoustic side of Rhett Miller and the Old 97's
Why You Should Pay Attention: While Graham Young and Adam Reed have been friends since childhood, the duo didn't start making music together until high school. After a temporary geographical divergence from their Michigan upbringing ¬– Reed attended college in Ohio and Young moved to Illinois – the pair eventually reconvened in Los Angeles, christened themselves the Michigan Rattlers, and recorded a demo that attracted the attention of producer Johnny K (3 Doors Down, Plain White Ts, Megadeth). Following some recent standout L.A. shows, the duo put the finishing touches on their highly anticipated debut 10" vinyl EP coming out later this fall. Young wrote lead-off single "Illinois Sky" about his time in Chicago and the song's upbeat, Son Volt vibe showcases the band's knack for evocative lyrics and shimmering vocal harmonies. The duo also recorded a live video for their cover of John Denver' "Prisoners" that's been generating buzz on YouTube as well.
They Say: While the band draws inspiration from some recognizable two-pronged sources like Uncle Tupelo and Drive-By Truckers – "We like Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy, Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood," says Young. But they're also quick to proclaim their love for a slightly more surprising muse: "Tanya Tucker in the Seventies," Reed reveals. "She has such great songs and such a great voice. Plus, she sounded 25 at age 13. She's a total badass."
Hear for Yourself: "Illinois Sky" rambles along with a Tom Petty swagger, as the Rattlers celebrate how those "late night talks probably saved our lives." W.H. - ROLLING STONE
Americana duo Michigan Rattlers have released a new track, “Illinois Sky,” off of their upcoming EP. Lifelong friends Graham Young and Adam Reed capture the intersection between country, folk and rock in their music, while simultaneously capturing the feeling of the end of an era filled with youth and wondering about the uncertainty they’ll be faced with in the future. It’s a relatable song no matter your location. Check out “Illinois Sky” below.
Here’s what Graham Young had to say about the track:
“Illinois Sky” is a reflection of the time I spent in Chicago. I wrote the song for a friend. It marks the end of a chapter in our lives and celebrates the next one.
They’ll be playing two shows in L.A. soon — one at the Hi Hat on 7/20 and School Night at Bardot on 7/25. - ALL THINGS GO MUSIC
Michigan Rattlers – Illinois Sky
By Jonathan Khattar
The music of Graham Young and Adam Reed can at time embody feelings of experience and nostalgia. In contrast to that feeling, they are a lively young Americana duo and best friends from Petoskey, Michigan. Known as the Michigan Rattlers they have mastered the synchronous of Old-Soul and Young-Rebel.
Armed with an acoustic guitar and stand-up bass, these two are on a mission to conquer the world of Americana-Folk. They have released their debut single “Illinois Sky” from a upcoming EP and we are positive it is just the surface of what’s to come. Their vocals will make you feel the experiences that drove Graham to to tell a story; so perfectly accompanied by Adam’s bass lines that you’ll find yourself moving that needle back to the beginning of the record every single time.
Their debut Los Angeles show happens later this month, and should prove to be a moment when their music takes the next step towards widespread recognition, we plan to be there and see what the Michigan Rattlers are all about! - BIG BAD BUCKLE
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Upholding a time-honored songwriting tradition, Michigan Rattlers recount human stories through a soundtrack of Americana punctuated by countrified rock'n'roll and folk. The subjects of their 2016 self-titled debut EP practically live and breathe between Graham Young's rustling guitar and Adam Reed's percussive upright bass. Born in Petoskey, MI and based in Los Angeles, the duo's music plays out like a film.
"All of my favorite songs tell stories," says Graham. "It's the most important part. They're about people trying to overcome life's obstacles. That's what it always comes back to."
Lifelong friends Graham and Adam began writing music and performing together in their Northern Michigan high school. Residing in a quiet tourist town of 6,000 located on the banks of Lake Michigan, the pair regularly played every bar, cafe, and stage in town, developing an inimitable musical chemistry informed by the likes of AC/DC, Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and more. Adam headed to Ohio for college as Graham went to Illinois, but upon graduation, Graham beckoned Adam to move to Los Angeles so they could start a band. A four-day cross-country road trip gave birth to Michigan Rattlers.
Settling down in Los Angeles, the boys recorded a short demo and began playing locally. The demo found its way into the hands of super producer Johnny K (Plain White T's, 3 Doors Down), and they cut the bulk of their first EP at NRG Studios in just one day.
"My favorite music is recorded that way," continues Adam. "You get in a room, plug in, and cut songs live. The energy of the recording comes directly from the physical performance, and it puts the listener into that specific time and place."
The first single, "Illinois Sky," rolls from an energetic acoustic guitar into an expansive refrain that's immediate and infectious, following "Midwestern boys out on our own headed for a life of treasure."
"I started writing it when I was living in Chicago, and I finished it when I got to LA," recalls Graham. "It was something I'd been working on for a while. Sort of covers the journey. It's really sad, but it's also upbeat. I look at it as a love letter to living in Chicago and that time. You've got the image."
Culminating on a lyrical guitar lead, "Sweet Diane" weaves a narrative of newfound love in the aftermath of loss driven by Graham's robust delivery. "That was totally fiction," he continues. "It's a straightforward story. A guy knows this girl. The girl lost her husband. He gets the courage to ask her out from there."
"Strain of Cancer" recounts a heartbreaking tale he witnessed firsthand. "I used to work at Starbucks, and I wrote it about this guy I worked with," he goes on. "He had a kid with this girl. Things didn't work out. He only saw his son twice a month or something. He was always meeting with his lawyer about child support. He was just losing everything. It was a horrible situation. I felt for the guy. I thought about him and put it into a song."
As for their moniker? It's a name that lets you in on where they're from and who they are. "A Michigan Rattler is an actual snake," Adam explains. "There aren't a lot of them, and they're hard to find." As the duo gets ready to share their tales with the world, listeners far and wide will soon find that like the elusive reptile, a sound like theirs is hard to find.
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