New Friends at What Crepe

This months playlist is a special one. The group The Strange are close friends of mine and im a huge fan of them personally and musically. They are from Michigan which I love. We have some very talented musicians here in Michigan and im so very happy to feature one of my favorites. Their music has a swag that creates a extra cool vibe. Although the entire list is fantastic my personal favorites are on this months playlist. Thanks guys for giving me something to groove to and share with my friends.

Happy listening!!!

“THE STRANGE”

Click here to listen now >

Paul Jenkins Jr
Founder of What Crepe

What? Our Friend are doing?

Brent McKay and Erik Nordin have been performing together for over 5 years and are collectively known as The Strange. This duo has recorded 3 full length albums as The Strange and currently working on their fourth. Both members of the band are Michigan native's, Nordin received his music performance degree from the University of Michigan in percussion on a full ride scholarship. He also attended both Interlochen and Cranbrook. McKay was trained vocally in both classical and gospel choirs and credits his style and soul to this upbringing. This duo has worked in front of groups with as many as 7 musicians, including performers like Trey Anastasio. They chose to record the 'Dirty Girl' album solely as a duo and perform all of the instruments themselves as they do live, sharing the microphone, guitars and keyboards.

They have been featured on NPR as well as on national television programs including MTV and commercials for Macy's, Yahoo and other media. Their first record "Waiting for the Sun" mixed jazz with rock and soul. Carrying this album to many festivals, including a performance at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, they shared the stage with folks like MMW and other international talent. Jazz Legend Marcus Belgrave(Trumpeter with Ray Charles) was featured on the album on "Gypsy Caravan". Belgrave was asked to sit in with the duo after hearing them at a talent search sponsored by Heineken where he sat as a judge. Their second album, self-titled and called "The Blue Album" turned a new direction, focusing more on rock influences and a tighter more polished sound. The Blue Album received national attention, receiving airplay on over 300 stations across the US. It also had songs featured on MTV programs including the Real World, as well as a video for the single "Texas" directed by Anthony Garth. Until "Dirty Girl", McKay was the sole vocalist. In recording the new album, a focus on harmonies developed leading Nordin to take the lead vocal position on several songs. This opened up the stage for Mckay to further develop his role as lead guitarist for the group. The new album is heavier, darker and faster than the previous records. Much like the earlier releases, Dirty Girl offers a great deal of stylistic diversity, and solid songwriting. It was recorded over 5 weekends, working with J Christopher Hughes, Post-Historic Recordings in Milwaukee and John Smerek at the White Room in Detroit on "More than you know".

The approach was to be more self reliant, and to find the honest soul of the band. The recording process was purposely simplified. All of the instrumental tracks are recorded live, several including "A while" with a single microphone between the artists. Nordin shares the duties of piano and drums, alternating on many songs. Mckay sits in on the synths in "The Storm" - a hypnotic road trip into the bands psyche. The balance of the record the instruments are shared and in some cases looped live to achieve the tracks necessary.
Dirty Girl is currently at College Radio charting on CMJ nationally and is receiving strong airplay though out the US.

Click here to listen now >

Paul Jenkins Jr
Founder of What Crepe

Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?

- Paul Jenkins, Jr

Check out What? Is New on the Menu

We are excited to announce our new menu in a new easier website format!

Click here to view our new menu >

More What? Is coming August 2010

We are so excited about our expansion plans. A new look, a new menu and of course a fantastic wine/beer and spirits list.

We will keep you posted on the progress.
Cheers!!!

What? Are They Saying?

"Love What Crepe. The food is excellent (tried the mushroom madness today), and the atmosphere quirkey mixmatched chairs, plates, decor was wonderfully done. What a charming place. I will definitely become a regular!"
- Eletha

"We heard about you from Hour Magazine. Excellent! Dont change a thing."
- Crystal

Click here to read more from Customer Testimonials >

Want to know the latest on What Crepe? Come Follow Us!