Political Lizard

For a new soft rock/folk pop act, Political Lizard – featuring singers and guitarists Jenna Olson and Caleb Waldvogel of Rockford – has gotten some pretty impressive endorsements as well as radio airplay. For one, Traverse City’s The Accidentals asked them to join them on tour last summer, an experience that the duo said really gave them a head start and kicked them to the next level. What resulted was their first studio album titled “Joy the Dog,” which is chock full of intoxicating and atmospheric songs that show off the young songwriters’ catchy melodies and lyrics. They’ve also expanded into a four-piece indie-rock band with multi-instrumentalist John Bomer and drummer Miles Ferguson, which they say, lets them “expand our options” and grow into new areas. The band recently hosted a jam-packed album-release show in Grand Rapids and play Rockford Brewing in Rockford on March 22 and Mustang Junction in Edmore on April 20. - John Sinkevic

Recently expanded to a four-piece, this introspectively intense duo has quickly evolved in a short span of time. Fronted by the haunting harmonic combination of singer-songwriters Jenna Olsen and Caleb Woldvogel, the group’s soul-piercing simplicity has grown by leaps and bounds with the addition of guitarist/bassist/keyboardist John Bomer and drummer Miles Ferguson. If the band’s strong string of impassioned singles is any indication, get ready for the debut LP to give you all the feels when it comes out early this year. - Eric Mitts