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

This week:
Ki5, Lorian Janine, Dave & Kristi, Michael Pardo, Rosary, Minus9, Rawhide, Grandmaster Rodimus, Lucky 17, and Fearless Amaretto.

Ki5
Mind EP
"Lake of Gold"
Genre: a capella, soul, pop
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Kyler Wilkins' shapeshifting voice provides most of the musical bits, from lead melody and harmonies to bass and percussion, in his songs. But on this four-song EP and one-off single from 2025, he's joined by fellow singer Aviva Match for several soaring tunes that combine rare earnestness and uplifting artistry.
Links: ki5loops.com

Lorian Janine
"With Me"
Genre: acoustic R&B
Location: Detroit
Notes: The latest single from the EMU alum and past Amplify Fellowship recipient. The track explores longing for an old relationship and wondering what might have happened.
Links: instagram.com/lorianjanine

Dave & Kristi
"The Guadalupe"
Genre: folk
Location: Dexter
Notes: This spiritual ballad features the core duo of Kristi Davis on lead vocals and husband Dave Boutette on guitar, along with with violinist Brad Phillips and cellist Sara Gibson.
Links: daveboutette.net/daveandkristi

Michael Pardo
Originals
Genre: house, techno
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: A compilation of dance-floor fillers by the busy A2 DJ. He also has a teaser for a new track called "Be Mine" on his Insta page—perhaps destined for a full release on Valentine's Day?
Links: michaelpardomusic.com

Rosary
Protector
Genre: electronica
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Jack Cawthon has been releasing downtempo electronic music for the past 10 years under the Rosary moniker, and his new five-song EP works on repetition, sharp snare snaps, and thick synth lines. From the artist: "This is an electronic project for fans of Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and Vegyn."
Links: instagram.com/rosary_mi

Minus9
Beasts Pt.1
Beasts Pt.2
Genre: punk
Location: Ypsilanti
Notes:  The bass and drums duo of Andrew Claydon and Steve Marton do not sound like a modern punk band. Their sweet spot is early '80s American hardcore, before metal started being incorporated into the genre's short, sharp songs. The nine political ragers on Beasts Pt.2 will have you reaching for your Let Them Eat Jellybeans comp. Beast Pt.1 from 2023, which we wrote about here, was also re-uploaded with a crisper mix and mastering.
Links: facebook.com/minus9ypsi

Rawhide
Suffer the Joy
Genre: punk
Location: Dexter, Detroit
Notes: Like Minus9, Rawhide consists of just two musicians—guitarist Jake Bloom and drummer Ellen Cope; they both sing—and looks to punk's past for its inspirations. But rather that focus on the U.S., Rawhide evokes the early '80s sound of Great Britain, when anarcho-punk was tearing through the underground with fierce politics and scrappy sounds. The album's 12 fuzzed-out, hyper-caffeinated, mostly short songs, including first single "F-U-C-K-Y-O-U" featuring Loss of Life vocalist Matty Taylor, will have you running through a wall on your way to an ICE protest.

Grandmaster Rodimus
Non-Euclidean Geometry EP
Genre: hip-hop
Location: Ypsilanti
Notes: Four songs of NSFW emotional pain. Rodimus exists somewhere between MF Doom, Kool Keith, and Geto Boys, dropping raw lyrics over menacing backing tracks produced by Frank Deez, with assistance by Ypsi rapper-producer Blaine Nash on the opening track, "Compassion Fatigue."
Links: rodimusp.bandcamp.com

Lucky 17
"New Heart"
Genre: folk-country
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: A few months after the release of his solo album Codename California, singer-songwriter Ed Dupas returns with a new group featuring Jason Dennie on mandolin and Caroline Barlow on harmony vocals. Like all of Dupas' tunes, "New Heart" is full of twang and sincerity. Check out a recent interview with Dupas on Chris Ryan's podcast.
Links: instagram.com/lucky17music

Fearless Amaretto
Diary of Amaretto
Genre: dance, R&B, rap
Location: Ann Arbor
Notes: Eight tracks from the Fearless one, filled with sass, attitude, and enough booty-shaking beats to break the dance floor. The Voyage Michigan website interviewed Amaretto in March 2025.
Links: linkfly.to/30728wunBEv

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.