By Deborah Reed
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org
Grand Rapids’ newly formed heartland and Americana band, American Rust, is a rock ‘n’ roll band making heartfelt original music – and it is resonating with audiences.
“What we do is authentic, and the music is the focus,” said Kevin Langeland, band founder and musician.
“We aren’t pandering for clicks or views, we aren’t trying to get in on trends, we aren’t recycling sing-along covers. We’re a rock ‘n’ roll band making heartfelt original material with hopes that other people enjoy and connect with it too.”
American Rust will perform Tuesday, June 23, as part of the City of Wyoming’s 2026 Concerts in the Park series. Interested listeners can go to Lamar Park at 6 p.m. for the live performance.
“We are American Rust!”
American Rust introduced themselves to the world on May 5, 2025, with a Facebook post, released their debut EP and made their official performance debut on July 28, 2025, and quickly gained traction in the local music scene.
Listeners will find American Rust’s brand of middle-of-America rustbelt rock to be a little more rock ‘n’ roll than country, while still heavily established in heartland and Midwestern musical traditions.
Langeland formed the four-piece band after his previous band, Paradise Outlaw, disbanded. Langeland, guitarist Alex Cegelis, drummer Matt Murphy and bassist Adam Estes knew each other previously through the music industry.
“We’ve all played in other bands before American Rust,” Langeland said. “When my previous band came to an end, I reached out to them individually and asked if they wanted to start a new band with me. Needless to say, everyone got on board.”
American Rust is drawn to the heartland rock/Americana genre because of the subject matter of the songs.
“So much of the stuff in that world is heartfelt stories and feelings about real life,” Langeland said. “It’s very relatable, which is where a lot of that magic and power comes from.”
As the author of American Rust’s songs, Langeland said he is a bit old school in that he lets the songs do the talking.
A passion to be shared
Langeland’s passion for music began when he was young, and began writing and playing music at age 16. Another decade passed, however, before he seriously turned his focus to music.
“The thing that draws me to music the most is the ‘magic’ [or] power that a song can have,” Langeland explained. “The way it can make you feel.
“Music is my greatest passion. I can’t imagine life without it. There’s something for every mood, every situation, every expression, and it’s constantly all around me, making the ‘soundtrack of my life.’”
Being able to share his passion for music through performing is a gift – to Langeland as well as to others.
“What I enjoy the most about performing is when sharing my passion resonates with other people too,” Langeland said. “There’s something special about performing a song that people relate to, enjoy and then feed energy back because of that.”
While that connection is a vital part of why Langeland performs, there also is the joy of simply enjoying the music.
“The bands, the instrumentation, the sounds, the energy are heavily inspired by a combination of southern rock, country, blues, and that’s all the good stuff.”
Gaining momentum – and not looking back!
American Rust is gaining momentum in the music scene and has no plans to stop playing “the good stuff.”
A collection of original American Rust songs is being honed for a full-length album that Langeland hopes to begin recording in the fall. As a fairly new band, they have played only a handful of shows in the West Michigan area to date, but Langeland is continuing to pursue opportunities for the band.
“I have a few irons in the fire, and it’s our hope to continue playing and picking up traction,” Langeland said.
Listen to American Rust
Those interested in attending an American Rust show can watch for event updates on their Facebook page.
Listen to their American Rust – EP on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.
Catch American Rust on local airwaves during the Michigan Music Showcase on WYCE 88.1 FM. Listen to past broadcasts on the WYCE station page.
2026 Wyoming Concerts in the Park lineup
Attend the rest of the Wyoming 2026 Concerts in the Park performances at Lamar Park on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Bring a chair or blanket so you can sit back, relax, take in the show and enjoy food from a variety of food trucks.
