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This week, we had two in-studio guests from two perceivably disparate genres and creating music in two distinct styles, giving WDET listeners a bridged perspective from danceable electro-pop to poetic, heartfelt acoustic folk.

Early on, you’ll hear an interview with singer-songwriter and award-winning published poet and essayist Cal Freeman, who writes, records and performs with the Celtic-folk ensemble The Codgers. The Dearborn-based poet recently released his new book of poems and essays, “The Weather of Our Names,” as part of Cornerstone Press’ Portage Poetry Series.

During our interview, Freeman talked about the upcoming release party and live reading at Book Suey in Hamtramck on October 17. We wrapped up with Freeman by treating WDET listeners to a live acoustic performance of “Song For Joe,” inspired by the Codger’s late friend Joe Michnuk’s time working clubhouse security for the Tigers in the early to mid-80s.

At the start of the show, we heard brand new music from Marissa and the Starter Packs, and Issac Burgess. Then, after Freeman, we spun a new single by singer-songwriter Anthony Retka, the title track from his new full-length album, “The In Between,” which is celebrated with a release show this Saturday night at the Anton Art Center. While we stayed in that indie-folk lane, we heard Ypsi-based artist Chris DuPont, spinning with a revamped re-release of his song “Holding It Together,” marking the 10th anniversary of his breakout album, “Outliers.”

We welcomed Mara Wanna to the studio, a multifaceted electro-pop singer-songwriter-musician, who recently released a new single, “Everything That I Love.” Mara has been making music for a while, but released a handful of songs in 2023, along with “The Gag Order” EP. Mara Wanna also released a single in the early summer, “The Beginning,” which we premiered here on WDET.

During our interview, we talked about Mara Wanna’s songwriting and production process, as well as her past endeavors curating live local music showcases in Hamtramck known as Mutual Slay. After that, Mara Wanna performed live, in-studio, treating listeners to an acoustic version of “Everything That I Love.”

Stream the whole show up top for two weeks after it airs, and find the full playlist below!

• “Let Her Go” – Issac Burgess
• “Nevermind” – Marissa & the Starter Packs
• “A Song for Joe” – John Freeman, live in WDET Studios
• “The In Between” – Anthony Retka
• “Holding It Together” – Chris DuPont
• “Madeline” – Payton & Annabelle
• “Everything That I Love” – Mara Wanna, live in WDET Studios
• “The Beginning” – Mara Wanna