THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

Our March Local Photography cover features an image from Colorpop Co-founder Marina Williams titled Cuzco. Here, two models and a llama stand at the Squaw Peak trailhead in an arresting pose as the beauty of Utah’s mountains surrounds them.

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About SLUG Magazine

An alternative monthly publication covering music, arts, culture, lifestyle, LGBTQ+, BIPOC communities and more in Salt Lake City.

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Latest Features

A Portrait of Humor and Sadness in The Melancholy Play
By

The Melancholy Play is funny and well-designed, and it portrays mental health, something our society knows all too well, with hope that it can get better. … read more

Performance & Theatre Arts

Bold & Beautiful: Ms. Jaliah J.
By

Moving toward the goal of becoming a full-time drag queen, Jaliah is excited to see where this journey takes her. … read more

Art and Fashion | Performance & Theatre

Carter Denos: Finding a Voice Through Art
By

Denos’s resistance to the pressures of conformity makes his design complement a key part of SLUG Magazine’s mission to amplify alternative art. … read more

Art

SLUG Style: Jazmin Mendoza
By

Jazmin Mendoza is a photographer from Salt Lake City who errs toward candid photography and free movement, particularly at events within the SLC art scene. … read more

Fashion

Women of the World 13th Annual Fashion Show & Cultural...
By

The 13th Annual Women of the World Annual Fashion Show and Cultural Gala brought friends, fashion and food together in celebration of another successful year. … read more

Community

Rio Connelly’s Inaugural Cider Release at Scion Cider Bar
By

Rio Connelly has brought experience and excitement to his newest local cider series as Head Cider Maker at award-winning Scion Cider Bar.  … read more

Beer & Spirits

Illustrating the Inbetween: Mel Aphayrath
By

Mel Aphayrath's illustrations explore sibling interactions, the overall art of conversation and life's quiet little displays of love. … read more

Art

The Noori Screendance Festival: A Love Letter to Intentional Movement
By

The Noori Screendance Festival is a celebration of film and dance and the way the two disciplines combine, a partnership that lends to surprise and play. … read more

Performance & Theatre

Bold & Beautiful: Mari Cona
By

Mari Cona is a spicy, talented boss queen who runs a wig styling business called Wigs by Mari and describes herself as “Salt Lake's favorite Mexican snack.” … read more

Performance & Theatre

Hairy & Sherri @ SLAC: Sucker Punching the Myth of...
By

In Hairy & Sherri, unexpected storylines come together to form a useful narrative for people of all ages to learn about relationships. … read more

Performance & Theatre

SLUG Mag’s 34th Anniversary: A Performance for Each Year
By

SLUG’s 34th Anniversary Party brought 34 local musicians & bands together to Blue Gene's & Urban Lounge for a jam-packed show as each band played one song each. … read more

Anniversary Party

SLUG Style: Kalei
By

Kalei is spearheading the local fashion movement through her organization Salt Lake Fashion Collective, an inclusive as a space for creatives to connect. … read more

Fashion

A Distinct Society: Love, Loss and Understanding
By

A Distinct Society explores playwright Kareem Fahmy’s identity as a child of Middle Eastern immigrants during a time of political strife. … read more

Performance & Theatre Arts

Bold & Beautiful: Hoe Shi Minh
By

An artist and performer in more ways than one, Hoe Shi Minh has been singing and dancing her way through life and doing it extravagantly. … read more

Art and Fashion | Performance & Theatre

SLUG Style: Lukas Mann
By

Lukas Mann appears together with his sphinx cats, Laurel and Reid, in this Pets issue–themed SLUG Style photoshoot, and the results speak for themselves. … read more

Fashion

Gross Indecency Reveals the Trauma and Trials of Oscar Wilde
By

For a show taking place in 1895, Gross Indecency felt modern with its themes of homophobia and forbidden love at the forefront. … read more

Performance & Theatre

Rooted in Resilience: Farmers Take Center Stage at Annual Farm...
By

Last weekend, The Red Acre Center hosted their seventh annual Farm and Food Conference. Founded by mother-daughter team Symbria and Sara Patterson, The Red Acre Center for Food and Agriculture...

Food Festivals & Events

SLUG Mag’s 2023 T-Shirt Art Competition

SLUG Mag is hosting an online art competition to decide on a design for our next T-shirt! The contest runs from Mon., Jan 9–Mon., Feb 20. … read more

Arts

Public Art Piece In Search of Blue Sky Finds Common...
By

Public art installation In Search of Blue Sky seeks both to raise community awareness of the air quality data and embed it with personal meaning. … read more

Activism, Outreach and Education

Bold & Beautiful: Trey Rayne
By

Trey Rayne has been moving through the ranks as a community icon, dancer and dreamer, sharing their ideas and movements. … read more

Art and Fashion

SLUG Style: Mark Cook of Skiing Fucks
By

Mark Cook is the founder of Skiing Fucks, a clothing brand that embraces standing against elitism and gatekeeping within clothing, sporting and life itself. … read more

Fashion

4th Annual Holiday Market @ Ogden Union Station 12.02–03
By

Craft Lake City's Fourth Annual Holiday Market 2022 Presented by Google Fiber enjoyed a new location this year at Ogden Union Station with over 120 vendors. … read more

Community

Ariana Broumas Farber’s DREAMERS: A Portrait of America
By

DREAMERS reveals much about how cultural, gender and religious differences are perceived and, more often, misunderstood under Western idealism. … read more

Performance & Theatre

Beer and Badass Babes: Katie Mansfield’s Winning PBR Can Design
By

Katie Mansfield's relatable design for the Pabst Blue Ribbon 2022 Art Can Contest depicts a lover locked in a kiss, wishing they were drinking a PBR instead. … read more

Interviews & Features

“Your Sweetness Abides”: An Interview with Toy Whisperer Jared Gold
By

Nationally renowned designer and artist Jared Gold creates a new line of imaginative toys, Sutras of Delight, to reconnect with a childlike sense of wonder. … read more

Interviews & Features

SLUG Style: Shantelle Pace
By

As with her approach to cocktail creation, Shantelle Pace's fashion sense evinces a willingness to experiment and eschew convention. … read more

Fashion

Shred Fest 2022 @ Liberty Park 11.05–06
By

Shred Fest 2022 won crowds over during its two-day rail jam and music festival experience, showing off stellar local and national talent on and off the slope. … read more

Ski / Snowboard

Roe: States Rights, Enter Stage Left
By

Jensie Anderson leads a reading of the 2016 stage play, Roe, wherein Jane Roe and her attorneys explore how this seminal case played out. … read more

Performance & Theatre Arts

Bold & Beautiful: Post-Op Malone
By

Drag is an escape from traditional, cut-and-dry gender expression for Post-Op Malone, a performer who uses drag to outwardly express their identity wherever they go. … read more

Arts

Embodied Ecologies: Where Disability Meets the Natural World
By

Embodied Ecologies—an exhibit on the intertwining of disability, health, and the environment—takes many forms: sculpture, painting, poetry and mixed-media. … read more

Art

The Manhattan Experience @ Gallivan Hall 10.09
By

The Wine Academy of Utah and One Small Miracle put on The Manhattan Experience, a 90-minute class on the history and technique of the classic cocktail. … read more

Local Events

SLUG Style: Rebecca Springer
By

While Springer's love for '50s fashion certainly expresses itself through her designed dresses, her affection for the style manifests in nearly every detail. … read more

Art and Fashion

Beehive Battle: A Skateboarding Showcase Fundraiser to Empower Youth
By

The non-profit organization Pushing Ahead, which helps put skateboards in the hands of young skaters, is the brainchild of David Edminster and Derek Robison. … read more

Skate

A Product of Our Society: The Laramie Project Comes to...
By

The Laramie Project isn’t a play where you will leave from the theater humming catchy tunes, but it is a moment to focus on the reality of the truths we...

Performance & Theatre | Performance & Theatre Arts

Puffs Brings A Bit of Unauthorized Magic to Trolley Square
By

Puffs follows the years when "The Boy Who Lived" attended a certain famous wizarding school, told from the point of view of one of the less prominent houses. … read more

Performance & Theatre

Bold & Beautiful: Meadow Lark
By

Burlesque is more than a performance for Meadow Lark; it is an empowering, freeing and creative outlet. … read more

Performance & Theatre Arts

Visible Panty Liners: The Utah Period Project
By

Thanks to Aunt Flow and the Utah Period Project, Utah is now one of the first states mandated to offer free and accessible period products in public schools. … read more

Community

SLUG Style: Channing Porter

Caring and enthusiastic, Channing Porter is an unprofessional (at-home) chef whose work and fashion balance hard work and flavor. … read more

Fashion

Neon Rodeo @ UMOCA, FICE, Beer Bar 09.09
By

Neon Rodeo was a creative conference crossed with a night of showcasing house music, design and inclusivity at UMOCA, FICE Gallery and Beer Bar. … read more

Local Events

Dave Styer: Graphic Designer by Trade
By

With skin full of traditional American tattoos and hands adorned with turquoise, Dave Styer's passion for graphic design isn’t slowing down any time soon. … read more

Art

Music

Review: Purling Hiss – Drag on Girard
By

Purling Hiss = Meth Wax + The Intelligence + The Undertones  … read more

National Music Reviews

Local Review: The Snarlin’ Yarns – It Never Ends
By

The Snarlin' Yarns = John Doe + The Knitters + X … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: Pale Dream – Curse
By

Pale Dream = Sigur Rós + The Cure + Pale Waves … read more

Local Music Reviews

Review: Shana Cleveland – Manzanita
By

Shana Cleveland = Cat Stevens + Alice Coltrane + Richard Brautigan … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Fever Ray – Radical Romantics
By

Fever Ray = HEALTH + Kate Bush x Poppy … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Kelsea Ballerini – Rolling Up the Welcome Mat
By

Kelsea Ballerini = Maren Morris x Maddie & Tae … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Endless, Nameless – Living Without
By

Endless, Nameless = Paramore–Sweet Spirit + Suicidal Tendencies + stage equipment falling off a cliff … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Gracie Abrams – Good Riddance
By

Gracie Abrams = Hozier x Holly Humberstone … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: RAYLR – Chasing Something
By

RAYLR = The Band CAMINO + Vacation Manor + The 1975 … read more

National Music Reviews

Invasion of the Death Valley Girls
By

Being in orbit with Death Valley Girls' Bonnie Bloomgarden is like swimming in the super infinite with a galactic white witch that transcends space and time. … read more

Interviews

Review: Andy Shauf – Norm
By

Andy Shauf = Elliott Smith + Chris Staples … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Hollie Kenniff – We All Have Places That We...
By

Hollie Kenniff = Julianna Barwick – Amos Roddy + awe for the miracle of life  … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Black Belt Eagle Scout – The Land, The Water,...
By

Black Belt Eagle Scout = Sleater-Kinney + Japanese Breakfast … read more

National Music Reviews

Local Review: T-James – Workin On A Come Up
By

T-James = will.i.am + J. Cole … read more

Local Music Reviews

Review: M(h)aol – Attachment Styles
By

M(h)aol = LCD Soundsystem + Bikini Kill … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Beauty Pill – Blue Period
By

Beauty Pill = Pixies + Dry Cleaning + La Luz … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Billy Nomates – Cacti
By

Billy Nomates = The Smiths + Lorde … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: poolblood – mole
By

poolblood = Lowertown + Anaïs Chantal + Swim Team … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Guts Club – CLIFFS/WALLS
By

GUTS CLUB = Janis Ian+ BIG|BRAVE … read more

National Music Reviews

Local Review: Nicole Canaan – My Own Two Hands
By

Nicole Canaan = Phoebe Bridgers ^ Weyes Blood … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: Sean Baker – The Purple House
By

Sean Baker’s Recycled Stardust = The Shins + Elliot Smith … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: Willow Skye-Biggs – lexen
By

Lexen = Aphex Twin + Thrupence x Bon Iver / Grimes … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: maximradar – Stella
By

maximradar = Tears For Fears + Breathe … read more

Local Music Reviews

Soccer Mommy and TOPS @ The Depot 12.05
By

Dec. 5 brought individuals of all ages to The Depot to experience an incredible night of live alternative/indie music by Soccer Mommy and opener TOPS. … read more

Show Reviews

Local Review: ACID-HOLOGRAM – Faded Reality
By

ACID-HOLOGRAM = Gatecreeper + Red Fang … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: Bly Wallentine – I Found My Foot
By

I Found My Foot needs to be heard more than once. Bly Wallentine seems to have found their “foot” and embraced this sublime world with open arms. … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: CLUB MUNGO – LODESTAR
By

CLUB MUNGO = Brockhampton + Odd Future … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: Kimi K – KIMI K
By

Kimi K's self-titled EP contains relatable emotions from complicated situationships that Kimi K layers over slowed trap rhythms. … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: Lost Penguins – fix it – da world
By

Lost Penguins = FIDLAR - of Montreal (Freewave Lucifer fck)  … read more

Local Music Reviews

Review: ONO – Kate Cincinnati
By

Kate Cincinnati is a masterpiece composed by P. Michael Grego (keyboards, electronics and percussion), Ric Graham (mostly horns and guitar) and travis (vocals). … read more

National Music Reviews

Local Review: Health Care – Health Care
By

The members of Health Care are only in their third year of high school and have masterfully crafted the feelings of teenage angst into a musically genius band. … read more

Local Music Reviews

Review: Scout Gillett – no roof no floor
By

Scout Gillett = Sharon Van Etten + a slight Kate Bush … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: Smut – How the Light Felt
By

Smut = Slow Pulp + Mazzy Star + Snail Mail … read more

National Music Reviews

Local Review: Ben Reneer – My Hands Were Stuck In...
By

Ben Reneer = Novo Amor + Bahamas … read more

National Music Reviews

Redrox Music Festival Highlights Queer Inclusivity in Utah Arts
By

Reveling in its inclusive approach, the Redrox Music Festival stands as a beacon of queer joy in a state where such a feeling can never be too plentiful. … read more

Music Interviews

Local Review: Flamingo – The Flamboyance
By

Flamingo = New Orleans Rhythm Kings + Michael Buble x Trombone Shorty … read more

Local Music Reviews

Local Review: Magda-Vega – Stella
By

Magda-Vega = Stevie Nicks + Alice In Chains  … read more

Local Music Reviews

Review: Taylor Swift – Midnights
By

Taylor Swift = Lorde + early Lana Del Rey … read more

National Music Reviews

11 Years Later, The Jungle Giants Are Still Best Friends
By

The sound of The Jungle Giants’ Love Signs, which was released in summer of 2021, builds off their indie-rock roots. … read more

Music Interviews

Rising Star BAYLI on Artistic Autonomy and Being Vulnerable in...
By

An auditory encounter with up-and-coming artist BAYLI is like scattering the labels we place on ourselves over a fan into a whirlwind of originality that demands attention. … read more

Music Interviews

Review: Dry Cleaning – Stumpwork
By

Dry Cleaning = Wire + Peter Buck + Kim Gordon … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: The 1975 – Being Funny in a Foreign Language
By

The 1975 = Bon Iver + The Beatles + Drive Like I Do … read more

National Music Reviews

Local Review: The Mellons – Introducing… The Mellons
By

The Mellons = The Beach Boys + The Turtles + The Beatles … read more

Local Music Reviews

Emily Haines Of Metric On Organically Growing The Band
By

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 20 years, you’ve probably heard of the captivating and thrilling sounds of Toronto’s indie-rock band Metric. … read more

Music Interviews

Local Review: Scott Lippitt – Meaning Maker
By

Scott Lippitt = Cavetown + Death Cab for Cutie … read more

Local Music Reviews

Review: Dream, Ivory – About a Boy
By

Dream, Ivory = The Everly Brothers + Slowdive + PUP … read more

National Music Reviews

Review: LUCI – Juvenilia
By

LUCI = Willow Smith + Aisles … read more

National Music Reviews

Film

Film Review: Tetris
By

Tetris is an enjoyable and engrossing way to pass time. All the pieces come together to score some points in Apple's quest to level up as a top player in...

Film Reviews

Film Review: Bottoms
By

Bottoms address real issues with genuine humor—we've finally reached the point in our timeline where we can have a gay Superbad. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Kompromat
By

Despite the underdeveloped relationships, Kompromat is a compelling spy thriller that hones the genre elements. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
By

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a clever and exciting adventure film that actually feels fresh and innovative. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Infinite Sea
By

Where so much sci-fi asks, “What would this mean for humanity?” Infinite Sea asks, “What would this mean for a human?” … read more

Film Reviews

BYU International Cinema Series: 03.22–25
By

While Zebraman, Memoria, 1982 and A Man called Ove offer drastically different stories & tones, they're united by themes of isolation, community and connection. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Return to Seoul
By

Return to Seoul is not meant to be a feel-good story about the wonders of adoption or the joyous search for personal identity. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: John Wick: Chapter 4
By

John Wick: Chapter 4, the supposed final installment, ranks among the most skillfully executed gun ballet movies ever made. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Inside
By

Inside and its director Vasilis Katsoupis don’t offer any insightful commentary about the relation between art, humanity and art’s true value … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: 65
By

65 was not good by most critic’s definitions, but it’s fun, thrilling and entertaining, which is sometimes worth more than a critically “good” film. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Shazam! Fury of the Gods
By

Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a breath of fresh air, rejuvenating a stagnating genre with fun and cohesive storytelling that lately has been nearly absent. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: The Park
By

The Park doesn’t seem to know its target audience. It’s too violent and profane to be for kids but not dark or gory enough for typical adult-genre enthusiasts. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Champions
By

Champions is made for people looking for an uplifting and entertaining two hours at the movies, and it works nicely on that level. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Scream VI
By

Scream VI's kills are grander and more anxious, its Ghostface is relentless and its atmosphere appears more realistic than usual. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Creed III
By

Creed III is another formulaic entry in a decades-long series—it’s also a strong example of why it has endured as a cultural touchstone. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Bruiser
By

Bruiser explores how an unreconciled past can destroy a brighter future in a refreshingly quiet and emotionally complicated tale. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Somebody I Used To Know
By

Somebody I Used To Know is about self-actualization, change and reflection in a way that’s actually pretty fun. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Magic Mike’s Last Dance
By

Whether the “magic” in Magic Mike's Last Dance is in the dance or in the filmmaking, it ultimately doesn’t matter, because its presence is undeniable. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
By

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is just barely fun enough if you go in with expectations in check, though it's all been done before in better films. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: One Fine Morning
By

One Fine Morning never deteriorates into a warning about the pitfalls of infidelity—it's an insightful autofiction on the impact human interactions have on us. … read more

Film Reviews

Daisy Jones and The Six Brings Fictional Rock Legends to...
By

Maybe you’ve heard of Daisy Jones? Or maybe The Six? If not, perhaps the name Taylor Jenkins Reid is familiar. She’s the best-selling fiction writer behind many Booktube and BookTok...

Film

Film Review: Cocaine Bear
By

Cocaine Bear is one of the most entertaining movies of the year so far and without question the stupidest film destined to be a cult classic. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Emily
By

Emily is an insightful extrapolation of the life of an Emily Bronte, and it's likely to be a significant entry in the careers of both its director and its star....

Film Reviews

Film Review: On the Come Up
By

On the Come Up's portrayal of a young woman’s aspirations to make it big in the world of underground rap feels cliche, melodramatic and ultimately predictable. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
By

If you're looking for your Marvel fix, Quantumania will suffice. After all, you never have to wait long for the next one. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Your Place or Mine
By

Your Place Or Mine is the rom-com equivalent of a generic greeting card, and there aren't even any chocolates included. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Hunt
By

Lee Jung-jae's directorial debut builds a solid foundation that gives hope for another film that will surpass Hunt’s mediocrity. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Knock at the Cabin
By

Knock at the Cabin hinges on the anxiety that the universe is blind to the social terror we’ve created, unprejudiced in its judging and its choice of martyrs. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Living
By

Living is an uplifting and heartfelt film that is never cloying and never dwelling on its sad moments, provoking plenty of genuine warmth. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: The Son
By

The Son has its positive elements, but its straightforward approach to a story we have seen time and time again is a daring and disappointing decision. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Missing
By

As a standalone sequel, Missing rewards having seen its predecessor and is well worth your time, a thrill to untangle and maybe even a bit informative. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Broker
By

Despite dealing with serious, morally murky and upsetting subjects, Broker presents it all with sweetness and irresistible charm. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: M3GAN
By

Knowingly a little goofy, new horror film M3GAN excavates its scares from the deepest, most plasticky recesses of the uncanny valley. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Dead Ringo
By

Using a combination of practical and visual effects, prosthetics and miniatures, Tim Boone infuses Dead Ringo with moody panache. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: A Man Called Otto
By

A Man Called Otto is an excellent showcase for one of the top movie stars of the past 50 years and a poignant study of loneliness, despair and love. … read more

Film Reviews

Noah’s Arc Continues in Leverage: Redemption Season Two 
By

Leverage: Redemption tackles serious themes relevant to the world we live in, and does it in a way that allows the audience to have some fun along the way. … read more

Film Interviews

Film Review: Neptune Frost
By

Neptune Frost is a rare movie that is able to capture something new about the human experience through the lens of artists speaking out for social liberation. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: The Eternal Daughter
By

Joanna Hogg’s work is deeply personal, and in a year of reflective works, The Eternal Daughter is one of the strangest, most tender and very best. … read more

Film Reviews

The Top 11 Films of 2022
By

That's a wrap on another year of moviegoing, folks, and what a year! Patrick Gibbs presents his picks for The Top 11 Films of 2022, in alphabetical order. … read more

Film

Film Review: Apostles
By

Scud's Apostles works best when approached as an abstract artwork. Cinema will always be an elusive concept, but Apostles doesn’t seem to clear anything up. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Babylon
By

While Babylon has hilarious moments and visual marvels scattered throughout its mammoth runtime, Chazelle never lets up on bombarding audiences with excess. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: The Whale
By

The Whale is an unrelentingly repulsive and degrading film that does everything in its power to treat its lead character as if he were part of a freak show. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Emancipation
By

Given the current climate where too many Americans want to downplay or ignore the history and lingering effects of slavery, Emancipation deserves to be seen. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Four Samosas
By

The team behind Four Samosas clearly put a lot of thought and finesse into its presentation—if only they had a more polished script to present. … read more

Film Reviews

Jonathan Kasdan On the Magic of Willow
By

Jonathan Kasdan, writer of Solo: A Star Wars Story, talks about the creative direction of Disney+'s Willow and its Star Wars connection. … read more

Film Interviews

Film Review: Avatar: The Way of Water
By

Avatar: The Way of Water commits all of the major sins of an unnecessary sequel and delivers big disappointment for fans and a smug affirmation for detractors. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Empire of Light
By

Director Sam Mendes returns to his roots with the intimate character drama Empire of Light, the latest entry in the "love letter to the movies" genre.  … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Nr. 10
By

Nr. 10 understands what it means to be a sci-fi film, even if it has some trouble connecting the dots. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Violent Night
By

Starring David Harbour, Violent Night is a naughty treat that makes the nice list for those needing an edgier alternative to Hallmark movies. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
By

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is yet another endlessly entertaining watch as well as a satisfying showcase of quality genre filmmaking. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams
By

Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams is a sincere effort, yet it remains an unimaginative, paint-by-numbers piece of filmmaking entry for a generally great director. … read more

Film Reviews

A Humble Prayer: A Conversation with THIS WAS THE PLACE...
By

Nathan Manuel's four-part documentary THIS WAS THE PLACE is devoted to exploring what land means to the Indigenous people living in Salt Lake City. … read more

Film Interviews

Film Review: Pivot Pals
By

Despite the apparent commentary on things like masculinity and grief, Pivot Pals’ ending message is a familiar one of kindness and friendship. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Strange World
By

Strange World is a throwback to the popular pulp of the ’40s and ’50s and updated for modern audiences with progressive sensibilities. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: The Fabelmans
By

The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg’s intimate self-portrait, is the film that I've been waiting to see for most of my life.   … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Bones and All
By

It's fair to say that Luca Guadagnino's cannibal love story, Bones and All, is the perfect film for the Thanksgiving holiday. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Low Life
By

Low Life fell short of its lofty aspirations, too heavy for a horror movie and too cheesy to be a drama, dragging on forever, and killing the building tension. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: Aftersun
By

Behind the soft cinematography and melancholic pace of Aftersun—director Charlotte Wells’ feature debut—is a heart wrenching tale of a father-daughter vacation. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: She Said
By

At a time when the #metoo movement is experiencing heartbreaking setbacks, She Said will hopefully serve as a rallying cry—victim's voices will not be silenced. … read more

Film Reviews

Film Review: The Menu
By

The intriguing new horror comedy The Menu serves up a rich, exquisite premise with plenty of flavor, yet the meal feels frustratingly undercooked. … read more

Film Reviews

SLUG Soundwaves

Episode #412 – Ben Swisher

Ben Swisher discusses his philosophical approach to music, the origins of his new project, A Windchime, and more on SLUG Soundwaves. … read more

Episode #411 – Stella Standingbear

In this episode of SLUG Soundwaves, musician Stella Standingbear sits down with SLUG to talk about her upcoming EP, Still Standing. … read more

Soundwaves #410 – Lil Du Bois

Episode #410 on SLUG Soundwaves features local hip-hop artist Lil Du Bois. Listen to music from his new album, Portraits, and here the artist discuss the artistic melting pot of Utah and his...

Episode #409 – Saysha

Fresh off the release of her new single, "Our Imagination," local electronic musician Saysha comes to SLUG Soundwaves to tell the story of her musical journey.  … read more

Episode #408 – Sunpuppy

Salt Lake–based Jazz trio Sunpuppy come on SLUG Soundwaves to discuss the process of creating original music after nearly a year of playing covers at local restaurants.

Episode #407 – Threar

Post-hardcore group Threar talk about the origins of their bleak, distorted sound, their songwriting process and how they excise their emotions through music. … read more

Episode #406 – Meraki Rozes

Salt Lake City–based alternative music Meraki Rozes discusses the concept behind her debut full-length, THE UNDERWORLD OF ENDLESS WANDERING. … read more

Episode #405 – Beeson

Fresh off of her win at Velour's Battle of  the Bands, Utah County–based artist Jane Beeson talks about her band, named Beeson, her songwriting style and more.  … read more

Episode #404 – Endless Struggle

Utah punk group Endless Struggle on their history in SLC's punk and alternative scenes, their return to music after a long hiatus and their upcoming album. … read more

Episode #403 – Mykah

Born from challenging upbringing, MYKAH's music career reflects the determination she feels toward life's professional and personal obstacles. … read more

Episode #402 – Trainsurfing

On the latest episode of SLUG Soundwaves, Salt Lake City rock band Trainsurfing discusses the collective love of heavy music that led to their EP Bitter. … read more

Episode #401 – &Knuckles

&Knuckles vocalist and guitarist Josh Derieg discusses the band's origins, their debut album, Songs to Stop Folding Your Arms To, and more. … read more

Episode #400 – Brain Detergent

Local techno producer and synthesizer wizard Brain Detergent comes to SLUG Soundwaves to discuss his long history with electronic music, synthesis and more. … read more

Episode #399 – Scott Lippitt

Listen to Scott Lippitt discuss his musical journey, meditation and more alongside tracks from his upcoming album, Meaning Maker, to be released on Oct. 7.  … read more

Episode #398 – Blair Street

Soundwaves Episode #398 features SLUG Picnic performers Blair Street, a Utah band who combine indie, pop, latin rock sounds and more into their own blend. … read more

Episode #397 – Who Killed Candace

SLC’s up-and-coming Who Killed Candace—consisting of Hanna (vocals), Mal (guitar) and Levi (bass) and KJ (drums)—are a force to be reckoned with. … read more

Episode #396 – Mama’s Boy

The latest episode of "SLUG Soundwaves" features Mama's Boy, an artist who blends hip-hop, alternative and neo soul into a personalized sound. … read more

Episode #395 – Cotes

The latest episode of SLUG Soundwaves features Cotes, a Utah-based hip-hop artist who imbues his music with positivity and an ethos of self-betterment.  … read more

Episode #394 – English Budgies

Joe and Jenna Vickrey make up the core of English Budgies, described by Joe as “somewhere between indie and alt rock with some ... punk and electronic.” … read more

Episode #393 – Sunfish

Carter Sears paints a full picture of Sunfish’s sonic repertoire, from swinging synths to raspy glam rock vocals of a bygone era. … read more

Episode #392 – Homephone

With their first album release, Melon Collie, the duo of Homephone continued their penchant for easy and playful creation. … read more

Episode #391 – The Plastic Cherries

Local indie pop outfit Plastic Cherries joined SLUG Soundwaves to discuss the band’s recent beginnings, their new album, Sunshine and more. … read more

Episode #390 – Sofia Scott on Genderfuq

Local musician Sofia Scott comes to SLUG Soundwaves to discuss the annual Genderfuq event. Buy tickets to this year's event at urbanloungeslc.com … read more

Episode #389 – Bobo

Local indie pop musician Bobo comes to SLUG Soundwaves to discuss her new album, Bobo II, and more. … read more

Episode #388 – Form of Rocket

Form of Rocket's Curtis Jensen joined us on SLUG Soundwaves to talk about the band's 20-plus-year history and their new cassette release. … read more

Episode #387 – UPHERE! Records

Tom Petterson (label manager) and Brady Flores (founder and co-owner) of UPHERE! Records discuss their start as a record label and their upcoming Ukraine benefit compilation. Formed during the pandemic,...

Episode #386 – Nahum Reyes

Nahum Reyes is a Salt Lake–based musician who plays with local rock trio Lord Vox and makes solo music under the name Ages the Poet. … read more

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