West Michigan’s Molly returns for The Big Room show with a soulful new fall album on the way

Molly calls her new music “a deeply personal dive” into her voice, her collection of experiences and the people who’ve shared her journey.

The dynamic and soulful West Michigan singer, who last released a single more than three years ago, drops a fresh track and video, “Come 2 Me,” on Friday, Oct. 10, the day before she unleashes a full-band show at Grand Rapids’ newest concert venue, The Big Room on Ottawa Avenue NW.

And there’s plenty more to come: Molly, aka Molly Bouwsma Schultz, has recorded a collection of new songs with Tommy Schichtel at Grand Rapids’ Goon Lagoon studio, though a release date hasn’t yet been set. She calls the process a “slow cook” and a “work in progress.”

Schichtel calls it “future soul. This record has lots of different elements and styles, but it always goes back to her passionate vocals. It’s much more raw than anything she’s done before.”

Friday’s show — with Latin rock’s Cabildo opening — serves as a coming-out party of sorts for the artist who has long impressed Michigan audiences with the bands Blue Molly and Vox Vidorra, and as a duo with her husband, Scott Schultz.

“I have had some truly incredible experiences with my band connecting with audiences through my original songs in and out of the studio, providing resolve for why I put all of this intention, care, and hard work into doing what I do — to build a sound that flows with the messages of these songs we perform together,” she says.

“The energetic exchange my band and I had with the audience at BlissFest on the Third Stage on Friday night this past summer is, in part, what people can expect from my upcoming Big Room concert. I invite people of all ages to attend to enjoy this beautiful venue space that showcases voices and represents messages that promote freedom of expression, celebration of diversity, healing, and the power we carry as individuals and in numbers collectively at a concert or in our daily lives.”

Molly’s Big Room debut kicks off with Cabildo at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets, $22, available online at thebigroomgr.com. Big Room “lounge” tickets, which provide early access and reserved table seating, are $49.

Molly will be joined on stage by Scott Schultz, Mike Savina, Christian VanDuinen and Evan Follmar, along with special guests David Ward and Marcus Jordan, a group that she contends will “bring a history, power and transcendence to the music that must be experienced.

“It’s a thrill to be releasing my song and music video, hearing Cabildo and performing with my beloved band at this gorgeous new space all in one night,” she said. “I feel extremely fortunate to share the stage with such passionate, talented, multi-talented creatives and what I also love is that each performance offers something new to the audience — two powerhouse bands, multilingual storytelling, rhythm, harmony, joy and togetherness.”

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The singer’s ultra-energetic, dynamic and impassioned performances have been a trademark and Molly’s music has long endeavored to be an instrument for change (“I Can’t Breathe,” “Downtown Southside”). Her latest project is no exception.

“I believe music has the power to inspire people to unite while also honoring our unique perspectives,” she insisted. “As a black woman in 2025 living in the United States, it is a revolutionary act to use my voice as a vessel of truth-telling. We are fortunate to have a community of musicians who help tell a story and share this platform, fans who show support, and the passion to use music as a way to build connections.”

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.