Lifelong friends and deep-north natives, Michigan Rattlers play heavy-hearted folk-rock with an aching dose of Midwestern nice. Graham Young (lead vocals/guitar), Adam Reed (vocals/upright bass), Christian Wilder (vocals/piano) and Tony Audia (drums) began writing music and performing together in their Northern Michigan high school. They regularly played every bar, cafe, and stage in town, developing a musical chemistry informed by the likes of AC/DC, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Seger, and more.
After a few years apart, Reed and Young settled down in Los Angeles, recorded a short demo, and began playing locally. The demo found its way in the hands of super-producer Johnny K, and they cut the bulk of their first EP at NRG studios in just one day. This self-titled Michigan Rattlers EP attracted glowing reviews from No Depression, Bluegrass Situation, Relix, Glide, Grammy.com, and more. Rolling Stone named the band one of their “Ten New Country Artists You Need To Know.” In 2018, following a massive summer tour that included stops at Bonnaroo, Firefly, and Electric Forest; the band released their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Evergreen, and added pianist Christian Wilder and drummer Tony Audia to their lineup.
Michigan Rattlers released their highly anticipated sophomore studio album, That Kind of Life, on May 19, 2021 via the band’s own Massasauga Records label. “We’re putting this record out a year later than we intended to,” says Young. "At this point, we can in all honestly say that we recorded it years ago, and it’s almost like we are rediscovering it as we introduce it to the world. There has been a lot of growth and self-reflection during the last year, where we’ve been still for the first time in half a decade. Each release for us has felt like a rebirth of sorts; this one especially feels that way. That Kind of Life is a record about relationships and the time we give to other people. That feels a little more valuable now than it did a year ago. As we all slowly emerge from the hibernation of the last year, we’re lucky to be able to share this record and hope it serves a role on the path of rediscovery.”
