So... I played at The Pyramid Scheme a couple of weeks ago.  The photographer came up to me afterward and said, "I don't normally shoot pictures of the opening act, but you were great!"  I was recently sent this link.  And read a review of the whole show which included a blip on my set. 

"On the third date of his solo tour, Walk the Talk, William Beckett stopped in the arcade district of Grand Rapids, MI to play the Pyramid Scheme to an intimate room of no more than a couple dozen.

His chosen openers, local talent Kelsey Rottiers and bold voiced Cara Salimando were a surprising treat. Rottiers mixed vulnerable lyrics with a clean tone reminiscent of the amazing Ani Difranco. She serenaded the crowd with the kind of break-up songs you can lose yourself in — all while her husband sold merch."

True story.  My husband loves me so much, he'll sell my merch while I sing break-up songs!  Awww... 

I do write about other things sometimes.  Like, marriage.  They just haven't been recorded or fine-tuned yet.  It's a process.

THANKS INKTORONTO for showing some love!

Kelsey

 
 
"Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Kelsey Rottiers opened the evening with a solo set that showed off her dynamic vocals, powerful tunes and, of course, her signature red boots, likely ensuring a return visit to the downtown venue in the not-too-distant future, according to owner Dan Verhil.

Kelsey Rottiers opened the Local Spins Live show at One Trick Pony.

Rottiers plans to return to the recording studio in May to record an EP follow-up to her “Red Wonder Boots” debut album, with a focus on drawing attention to the troubling, global sex-trafficking crisis.

(Read more about Rottiers at
her website here. She also has a concert coming up on April 6 at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up. More information about that here.)"
-John Sinkevics, Local Spins Live

 
 
     John Sinkevics from the Grand Rapids Press not only invited me to come play on his local spins segment on the Tony Gates show on 1340 AM WJRW, but also printed this wonderful review this week with a nice plug for the show TONIGHT!                                                                                                                                                "Dozens of CDs cross my desk each week, many of them from local and regional artists.

So when Kelsey Rottiers & the Rising Tide's full-length debut album came in earlier this year, I almost didn't give it a listen because Rottiers at that time was living in Davison, outside of Flint.

Recorded in Ortonville, this wasn't exactly a West Michigan artist, so it didn't really fit my Local Spins model. But I sampled it anyway, and boy, was I glad I did.

Rottiers' striking, distinctive voice carried the day and her insightful songs were catchy and powerful. And in researching her background, I discovered that she had not long ago left Grand Rapids after graduating from Cornerstone University.

It was a Local Spin after all.

Now, Rottiers – who submitted a song to the 2011 ArtPrize competition and recently performed during St. Cecilia Music Center's music showcase – has returned to reside in Grand Rapids. She's pursuing her musical interests full-time and already is at work on songs for a follow-up album.

On Wednesday, as part of my regular Local Spins Live segment, Rottiers stopped by the studios of News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW) during The Tony Gates Show to talk about her music and perform a song, “Red Wonder Boots,” from her debut album. You can watch the video here at “Sound Check.”

Also, fans can catch her in concert this week when she performs at 7:37 p.m. Friday at Cornerstone's Gordan Hall as part of a benefit for Traffic Jam, an organization that fights human trafficking, a shocking crisis that deserves more attention. She'll perform along with Doug Mains & the City Folk and Jessa Anderson.

It's one of two local Traffic Jam concerts; the other takes place at 6 p.m. Friday at the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center on S. Division Avenue, with several bands performing. Hundreds of bands in 30 different countries are joining the cause and donations will be accepted.

For more information about Rottiers and to download her music, visit her website, kelseyrottiers.com."


Kelsey Rottiers, "Red Wonder Boots" Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Kelsey Rottiers performs "Red Wonder Boots" live as part of John Sinkevics' Local Spins Live segment of The Tony Gates Show on News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW) on Nov. 9, 2011. Watch video

E-mail John Sinkevics: jsinkevics@grpress.com
 
 
Hey all!  Here is one of the wonderful reviews from Mr. John Sinkevics of the Grand Rapids Press.  Kelsey Rottiers & the Rising Tide was featured in his column, Local spins of the week, this week! 

"I must concede I knew nothing about Davison singer-songwriter Kelsey Rottiers until I popped her “Kelsey Rottiers & the Rising Tide” CD in for a listen. Now, I know that this is an impressive songwriter with a terrific voice whose folk-infused rock has a hook-filled pop quality.

Rottiers, a graduate of Grand Rapids' Cornerstone University, and multi-instrumentalist/singer Derek Turcsanyi, have linked up with several other musicians to create a pretty special full-length debut package. 'Sound Check' today is featuring the track “Red Wonder Boots.”

I think you'll agree this is the kind of talented performer who's brimming with potential, which means I'm also sure we'll hear more of her down the road. Her CD is available online at iTunes.com, amazon.com and elsewhere. Learn more about Rottiers at her website."  - John Sinkevics, Grand Rapids Press

p.s.  Anyone interested in tickets for the Crofoot show, can purchase tickets on the Calendar page or by e-mailing me at kelseymadelyn@gmail.com. 

love,
Kelsey