Authors: Alex Cragun
The Executioner’s Song Screening and Panel Discussion @ The Salt...
For good or for ill, Gary Gilmore is an international pop icon. … read more
Film Review: PUMP
PUMP is a serious movie with a title that makes me chortle every time I hear it. The film illustrates a narrative that all Americans have agreed upon since 2003—we’re addicted to oil. … read more
Covering the President: My Adventure at Journalism Space Camp
“Call me right now. Right now. Right now,” pops up on my phone’s screen. The tone is alarmist, so I call my friend to find out what’s going on. She forwards me a White House press credential application and says that I should apply. … read more
Lightning Bolt @ Kilby Court 4.25 with Baby Gurl, Birthquake
The sound of muffled bass echoed across 300 West as I walked closer to Kilby. The closer I was, the more decipherable the music became. By the time I was in the alley, it was clear that Baby Gurl had taken the stage earlier than expected. … read more
Local Reviews: Summerteeth
Summerteeth’s recent release is a conglomeration of swirling hooks and high-neck diddles played through synthpop keyboard. The EP has an early ’00s indie rock influence that plays out well with its lo-fi guitars, discordant vocals and simple chord progressions. … read more
Local Reviews: Austin Joseph
Early Years, Austin Joseph’s first album, has an intriguing duality to it—whether it was a conscious effort is left to the listener to decide. To start, Mr. Joseph looks pretty clean cut: all smiles, hair gel and jeans. His musicality reflects this clean-cut image: uplifting keys and inspirational guitar. It’s clear that Joseph has extensively studied the catalogs of Pete Seeger, Gordon Lightfoot and other guitar-wielding good guys. … read more
Local Reviews: Matthew and The Hope
Matthew and The Hope wasn’t my kind of jam. Matthew claims to sound like Joshua James or Ray LaMontague, but I see his vocal styles as akin to back-of-the-throat singers from neo-grunge (think Scott Stapp or Gavin Rossdale). That being said, Matthew Bashaw has solid vocal skills, but the man needs someone to back him up if he is going to pull off the alternative country sound. … read more
All That Is Left: The Left Show Celebrates 100 Episodes
Somewhere in West Jordan, in an underground bunker, a man is making dick jokes. For over 100 episodes, the guys at The Left Show have been dishing up the pressing political issues of the day, all the while piling on an insurmountable amount of self-deprecating humor. … read more
Painted Temple: Tattoo Craftsmen to the World
When I first walked into Painted Temple Tattoo, I got the feeling that I had walked into the wrong shop. However, underneath this art gallery/tattoo shop is a world of pure metal manufacturing: acetylene torches, surface grinders and spare parts. It’s one thing to illustrate bodies—it’s another to craft the tools yourself. Dan Walker and Oak Adams, the owners and artists at Painted Temple, have been crafting their own tattoo machines (don’t call it a gun) since 2007, and business is good. … read more
CrucialFest 5 Recap: Area 51 – Day One
It’s finally here! My musical Christmas is here (I should have a beer advent calendar) and oh boy, was it a fun first night. In a matter of six hours, I saw eleven bands. While bouncing between the booze and sans-booze rooms at Area 51 (a venue I haven’t been to since I was 17. It hasn’t changed a bit.) I had my face melted off on multiple occasions. … read more
True Horror: Thirteen Years of the Working Dog
Working Dog is an unofficial fixture of the University of Utah’s highly ranked graduate creative writing program. Named after the phrase “working like a dog,” the premise is simple: a once-monthly evening of art, wine and students reading material from their portfolios. … read more
