KDL Vibes Curator Spotlight: Nicole LaRae

Did you know your library has its very own music collection? 🎶 It’s called KDL Vibes, and it features commercial-free tracks licensed directly from artists right here in West Michigan. Even better, the music is hand-picked by a group of community curators and library staff who love discovering fresh sounds. 

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting some of these curators—the folks who listen through submissions and help shape each year’s collection. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Nicole LaRae has been passionate about music since childhood, from making cassette mixes to exploring her family’s record collection. She’s spent nearly two decades as a volunteer radio host at WYCE, showcasing independent and under-the-radar artists, and spent over a decade producing thousands of live shows at The Pyramid Scheme. Nicole’s love for connecting people through music continues to drive her work in West Michigan’s music scene. 

You can bring only three physical albums with you on a long trip — no internet, no streaming. Which ones do you choose, and why? 

1. Amen Dunes 'Love' (2014 via Sacred Bones) - The use of drones, reverb and spacious production creates an immersive and atmospheric listening experience; it will likely always be on my desert-island list.
2. The Doors - s/t (1967 via Elektra) - The debut studio album from the band I first remember hearing music from. I grew up with their music as my mother was/is a huge fan. Would need it on the island to remember where I came from. 
3. Fiona Apple - 'Fetch The Bolt Cutters' (2020 via Epic) - Rooted in experimentation, the album largely features unconventional percussion. This album reminds me of the days of Covid-19 - staying home with my then eight-year-old - listening to this album over and over so we could memorize it.

What’s one of your favorite local music memories? 

The concerts we used to throw at The Stone House. Intimate and special to me as I was able to collaborate with friends. I'll never forget the "Frontman Show," where local musicians took on each other's songs. 

What do you love about West Michigan music?  

That we have strong players in every genre, as well as the cool collabs I've seen take shape over the years. 

What’s a favorite local spot — music, art, or cultural — that you think everyone should know? 

FREE ALCHEMY STUDIO - Free Alchemy Studio is a Black woman-founded grassroots culture house + creative community hub + production collective + studio space with focus in creative direction, curatorial strategy and sensory experience production.