The Radar tracks new music by Washtenaw County-associated artists and labels.

This week: Griot Galaxy, Alexis C. Lamb, Moonmill, Fangs & Twangs, Alex Anest Organ Trio, deegeecee, The Boy Detective, Hemmingway Lane, 3Steez, Chris DuPont, Pat2Dope, Idle Ray, Dre Dav, and Splitfuse.

Griot Galaxy
Live on WUOM 1979
Genre: Jazz, Afrofuturism, experimental
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Detroit label Two Rooms Records unearthed this live recording by the Faruq Z. Be-led ensemble made with Eclipse Jazz's Michael Grofsorean at the University of Michigan radio station WUOM in 1979. Grofsorean's interview with the band is also included. It's a welcome addition to the Detroit ensemble's small discography. U-M grad Mike Rubin wrote a feature on Griot Galaxy and Bey in the December 2025 issue of The Wire.
Links: tworoomsrecords.com | thewire.co.uk

Alexis C. Lamb
Yes, and...
Genre: New music, classical, experimental
Location: Ypsilanti
Notes: 10 percussionists playing the compositions of Alexis C. Lamb, who is also the creator of September's Refugia Festival. From the label, CMTX Records: “To start, percussionists are the quintessential ‘yes, and’ performers. Save for logistical impossibilities, I have rarely heard a percussionist say ‘no’ to exploring new sounds and instrument combinations,” she says. “In the spirit of 'yes, and,' it was imperative to me that this ten-track album include recordings from ten different performers. Not only was this to highlight the incredible work of my friends and colleagues and to take some of the spotlight off of myself. In a world that often appears cutthroat and competitive, especially with building a profession in the arts, I wanted this project to demonstrate the power of community and collaboration."
Links: alexislamb.com

Moonmill
"Uptight"
Genre: Singer-songwriter, folk, pop
Location: Former Ann Arbor-ites.
Notes: First single from upcoming debut EP by Huron High grads Mary Collins and Kaye Hamada, who are now living in Brooklyn. Also features A2 musicians Sam Collins (bass, Mary's bro), Erez Levin (drums), and Oren Levin (producer, mix). Also below is the duo's version of "Uptight" for NPR's Tiny Desk contest.
Link: linktr.ee/moonmill

Fangs & Twangs
"Florida Man"
Genre: Swampy country-rock
Location: Ypsilanti
Notes: This tongue-in-cheek trio still sings about monsters and such, but sometimes the monsters are real.
Links: fangsandtwang.com

Alex Anest Organ Trio
At the Starlight Room
Genre: Jazz
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Live album by this terrific guitarist, recorded in Muskegon. You can watch the whole concert on Anest's YouTube page.
Links: anestmusic.com

deegeecee
Luna Flip II: Escape From an Evil Religion EP
Genre: Experimental
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Another collection of spooky sounds, not long after his two recent albums mining similar haunted territories.
Links: instagram.com/dee.gee.cee | "Out of This World: deegeecee finds relief on and off Earth on 'Sundogs & Weekends on the Moon' album" [Pulp, September 27, 2023]

The Boy Detective
Disco Lunch
Genre: Ska-core
Location: Ypsilanti, Monroe County
Notes: Second album from an ensemble that will take you back to the 1990s third-wave of punk-pop-steeped ska.
Links: punkertonrecords.com

Hemmingway Lane
Arcadia EP
Genre: Indie rock
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Tight, dynamic songs, expertly produced, with strong singing throughout. The band wrote a bit about making the project here. Release show at The Blind Pig on November 14.
Links: linktr.ee/HemmingwayLane

3Steez
"Just Listen (Rise Up)"
Genre: Hip-hop
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Athletic Mic League dynamic duo 3Steez (words) and 14KT (beats) are back at it following last summer's "Stand Up."
Links: 3steez.com | "Our Story: Athletic Mic League's new single, 'Made History,' traces the Ann Arbor hip-hop group's legacy while namechecking important figures and Black businesses" [Pulp, December 11, 2024]

Chris DuPont
"Forgiveness"
Genre: Singer-songwriter, folk-rock
Location: Ypsilanti
Notes: Remake of a song from DuPont's excellent 2015 album, Outlier.
Links: linktr.ee/chrisdupont 

Pat2Dope
"Blowin' Smoke"
Genre: Hip-hop
Location: 
Notes: Half of Dastardly Kids tones down the 2 Live Crew-isms and booty-bass beats from that project for a laidback seven-song solo record that has R&B touches throughout.
Links: instagram.com/pat2dope

Idle Ray
Airport EP
Genre: Indie rock
Location: Ypsilanti
Notes: Ripping new four-song 7-inch single featuring songs that couldn't fit on the forthcoming album but sound great together. Dig that gnarly guitar tone for the leads on the opening track, "Eternal Fade."
Links: instagram.com/idlerayband

Dre Dav
"Top Tier"
Genre: Hip-hop
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Latest single from the prolific Ann Arbor rapper and cannabis enthusiast. Filmed at Planet Jane in Ypsi.
Links: instagram.com/dredav__

Splitfuse
Crystal Shroud EP
Genre: Metalcore
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: It's not often you see the genre tag "djent" in a Bandcamp profile these days, but the A2 duo Splitfuse proudly weld electronics and metal guitars for a grunt-screaming good time. Splitfuse also made four high-quality music videos for each track on the EP.
Links: splitfusemusic.com

Send your music to pulp@aadl.org if you're an artist or label with Washtenaw County associations. Check out more local music coverage here and in the Friday Five archives.