Did you know your library has its very own music collection?
KDL Vibes is Kent District Library's local music streaming collection, connecting listeners with West Michigan artists while supporting and celebrating our local music community. Each year, local musicians, music community members and library staff listen to submissions and select approximately 30 artists to be featured in the collection. Selected musicians receive a $250 honorarium and sign a non-exclusive licensing agreement to share their music through KDL Vibes.
We're continuing our series introducing the people behind the playlists — the community curators who help discover the incredible local talent featured in KDL Vibes.
This week, meet Hunter VanKlompenberg — musician, audio engineer, graphic designer and one of the founding members of The Stray, whose passion for collaboration and community helps shape each year's collection.
Tell us a little about yourself – Who you are, what you do, and your connection to West Michigan music.
My name's Hunter VanKlompenberg. I'm a musician, graphic designer, audio engineer and one of the founding members of The Stray. Many people know me as the person who books shows at The Stray or from the eccentric videos promoting our annual Battle of the Bands.
One of my favorite parts of working at The Stray is getting to connect with so many musicians from across Michigan. When I first got involved in the local scene, I had no idea how expansive it was or how many creative communities were collaborating behind the scenes.
Outside of my day job, I've played drums in projects spanning rock, americana and disco. I'm currently preparing to release my first album as a front person, Gut Punch, an emotion-driven blend of jazzy indie rock and americana coming this fall.
You can bring only three physical albums with you on a long trip — no internet, no streaming. Which ones do you choose, and why?
Fiona Apple – Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Ana Frango Elétrico – Little Electric Chicken Heart
Black Country, New Road – Ants From Up There
These are the albums I keep coming back to year after year and have been some of my top picks for road trip listening. I'm probably leaning a little too heavily into the artsy emotional side of things and might eventually start craving some big anthems, but I've never regretted putting any of these records on.
What do you love about West Michigan music?
I love the culture of camaraderie we have here. There's an incredible breadth of talent across West Michigan, and compared to my time living in Nashville, I find Grand Rapids-area musicians have a much stronger do-it-together mindset. People genuinely encourage one another's work and celebrate each other's successes.
What's a favorite local spot — music, art or cultural — that you think everyone should know?
I recommend Rumi's Garden in Kentwood for its incredible Afghan cuisine.
"Get the Mantu Dumplings, and if you're bringing a date, share the Lamb Shank. You can thank me later!"
Interested in submitting your music?
West Michigan musicians can submit one representative song to KDL Vibes during the annual submission period, September 1 through October 12. To learn more about the program, submission guidelines and artist FAQs, visit vibes.kdl.org.
Stay tuned as we continue introducing the curators whose passion for local music helps bring the sounds of West Michigan to KDL Vibes.
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