By Jeremy Johnson
Music Writer

Yesterday afternoon, Northern Arts & Entertainment took to their Facebook page to tease an upcoming artist announcement with a single hint: “He is a metro-Detroit native.”

Guesses on their page ranged from hip-hop artist Big Sean and Eminem to Rock stars like Kid Rock, Bob Seger and Alice Cooper. But in the end, NAE would reveal their next concert to be staring electronic music artist GRiZ.

Born Grant Kwiecinski, GRiZ is an up-and-coming electric producer, DJ and classically-trained saxophonist. Blending live instruments and intense visuals with his electric productions, his music breaks the synthesizer stereotype of most electronic music.

"GRiZ is someone who is unique," said NAE's Social Media Coordinator Chris Salgot. "Even if you're not a fan of the genre, you will still have a great time at the show.

By: Brice Burge
Managing Editor

The MQT-based band Skunk Fur will be performing their final show this Saturday, June 22 at the Because of Mandy benefit concert. They will be headlining the eight-band line up at the Wooden Nickel and will take the stage at 11 p.m. until bar close.

Originally forming in the summer of 2010, the band has four members: Nate Teates on guitar and back up vocals, Wade Buck on bass, Nick Hallwachs on lead vocals and RC Anderson on drums. Skunk Fur has made a name for themselves with high energy shows incorporating multiple genres into something they call resin-punk.

“We almost try to be unpopular,” Teates said with a laugh.“It's bottom-of-the-bowl punk rock with thrash elements, some ska and some straight up metal,” said Teates.

The band is on good terms and officially calling the stoppage of shows a hiatus. Buck will be attending graduate school at Eastern Michigan University for a Master of Fine Arts in blacksmithing,
a program unavailable in the MQT area.